Director, Foundation Relations

WHO WE ARE

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting‑edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

The Director, Foundation Relations is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of foundation partnerships within a regional structure to support organizational revenue goals and growth. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Foundation Relations, this role serves as a key relationship manager for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding foundation partners, responsible for prospecting for new foundation partners, effective grant proposal development, managing deadlines, compliance, and reporting.

The Director works closely with cross‑functional teams to maximize foundation support and contribute to sustainable revenue growth aligned with organizational priorities. The Director plays a central role in implementing national strategy while identifying new opportunities for foundation partnership.

• Independently manage a portfolio of foundation partners overseeing identification, cultivation, and stewardship activities to maximize funding opportunities.
• Develop and execute portfolio management and revenue growth strategies in collaboration with the AVP to secure external funding from grantmaking foundations in support of the strategic priorities of the National MS Society.
• Oversee the planning, development, and submission of comprehensive, customized, and compelling grant proposals, cases for support, impact reports, and compliance documentation—ensuring alignment with the Society's funding framework and adherence to all deadlines.
• Utilize foundation prospecting tools to identify, qualify, ensure alignment with and build relationships with new foundation prospects.
• Proactively grow the foundations portfolio through prospect research, donor engagement, and data‑informed market research to identify new funding opportunities.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to align foundation strategies and support integrated fundraising efforts.
• Partner closely with finance and mission‑delivery programs staff to ensure requests for restricted funding align with program priorities and capacity.
• Maintain efficient processes for grant tracking, reporting, and database management to ensure data accuracy and timely communications.
• Use CRM tools (Salesforce) to maintain an accurate and up‑to‑date donor database, monitor fundraising metrics within your portfolio, and provide regular reports and insights to the AVP and senior leadership.
• Participate in budget and revenue projection activities.
• Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines within a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Engage in strategic planning with the AVP, VP and other leadership team members.
• Support the AVP in representing the organization at industry events as needed.

• 5‑7 years of demonstrated and relevant fundraising experience with advanced understanding of foundation grants, including prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Skilled in translating grant and reporting requirements to cross‑functional teams, ensuring alignment, compliance, and timely deliverables.
• Proven ability to manage broad and technical fundraising campaigns, collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers to secure foundation grants.
• Nonprofit development experience with increasing responsibility, successfully driving 6+ figure partnerships.
• Experience with AI, predictive analytics, and CRM tools to…