commonwealth foundation associate opening

Foundation Associate

The Commonwealth Foundation, an award-winning state policy think tank in Pennsylvania, and its allied organizations, are seeking a Foundation Associate to develop and grow relationships with new foundation investors. The Foundation Associate position is a new role on a growing, high-performing team that helps secure resources to advance opportunity, prosperity, fairness, and independence across Pennsylvania and beyond.

This role is ideal for someone who is a strong writer, principled, organized, entrepreneurial, good at project management, and wants to accelerate their career in development and the free-market movement. Additionally, there is room for reward and growth through earned bonuses, professional development, and future advancement.

Position Summary

The Foundation Associate is primarily responsible for identifying, securing, and stewarding new foundation investors. You will research and analyze prospective foundation investors, write letters of interest and proposals, implement follow-up strategies, maintain detailed records, and secure new investor meetings for yourself and/or colleagues. You will also help steward existing foundation investors by writing proposals and reports to renew general and restricted grants.

The Foundation Associate will report to the Director of Foundations, as well as collaborate with the Director of Donor Stewardship and Vice President of Development as needed. The position is mostly virtual, but attendance at monthly all-staff meetings (1 day); quarterly development team retreats (2 days); and other events in Pennsylvania is required. Priority will be given to candidates who live within a reasonable driving distance (approximately 2-4 hours) of Harrisburg.

Responsibilities

The Foundation Associate will:

  • Manage their own portfolio of prospective and new foundation investors.
  • Research potential state and national foundation investors whose grantmaking aligns with the missions of the Commonwealth Foundation and its allied organizations.
  • Recommend engagement strategies for prospective investors based on research.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Foundations and experts at the Commonwealth Foundation and its allied organizations to create tailored messages for prospective foundation investors.
  • Write and send high-quality letters of interest and proposals to prospective foundation investors.
  • Implement follow-up activities that proactively engage prospective foundation investors.
  • Write and submit high-quality, on-time proposals and reports for assigned foundation investors to renew general and restricted grants.
  • Maintain detailed records in Salesforce of all activities and interactions with prospective, new, and existing foundation investors in your portfolio while maintaining investor privacy.
  • Secure new investor meetings for yourself and/or colleagues at the Commonwealth Foundation and its allied organizations.
  • Provide regular updates on overall activities and performance.
  • Travel occasionally for in-person investor meetings, all-staff meetings, development team meetings, and other events (approximately 5%).
  • Carry out additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the Foundation Associate role will have:

  • Excellent writing and editing skills with at least 1-2 years of proven experience producing high-quality written deliverables for a non-profit organization or private company. (Note: Non-profit development experience is preferred but not required to be considered).
  • Exceptional commitment to detail, accuracy, and organization, as well as project management skills.
  • Experience using Salesforce and Foundation Directory or comparable systems (e.g., Foundation Center, Candid, or ProPublica).
  • Alignment with the mission and objectives of the Commonwealth Foundation and its allied organizations.
  • An entrepreneurial attitude that translates well into a high-performing professional environment that encourages experimentation and innovation.
  • The ability to work remotely while driving a reasonable distance (approximately 2-4 hours) at least 12 times a year to attend in-person meetings and events in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The Organization

The Commonwealth Foundation is among the most effective and influential state-based think tanks in America. Its executives and experts transform free-market ideas into policy solutions so that all Pennsylvanians can earn success and flourish. Last year, the Commonwealth Foundation was awarded the State Policy Network’s prestigious Thomas A. Roe Award—a national award recognizing those “whose achievements have greatly advanced free-market philosophy and policy solutions.” Additionally, the Commonwealth Foundation collaborates with a network of allied organizations that together are advancing opportunity, prosperity, fairness, and independence across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • 4% company contributions towards retirement plan
  • Reimbursements for needed mobile technology and home office supplies
  • Hybrid work environment with flexibility to work from offices in Harrisburg or King of Prussia, Pennsylvania or from home.

How to Apply:  Qualified candidates will submit both a resume and cover letter addressing (1) how your qualifications match the position requirements, (2) your alignment with free-market values championed the Commonwealth Foundation and its allied organizations, and (3) your desired salary range. Please apply here.