Job Description — Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy
Operational (Non-Board) Role • One-page job description
Role Purpose
The Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy advances the Foundation’s sustainability by developing funding pathways (grants, donors, and aligned partnerships) while protecting the human-centered tone of The Art of Drinking Water. The role builds systems that make giving and support easy, credible, and consistent.
Reports To
Board Chair / President (for strategy alignment) and/or Treasurer (for financial tracking & documentation).
Time Commitment
Variable by season; often increases around grant cycles, donor campaigns, and partnership opportunities. (Example: 5–10 hours/week during early growth; flex as needed.)
Term
At-will / renewable as determined by the Board, aligned to funding sustainability and organizational needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain a grant calendar and submit prioritized applications aligned with mission + capacity
- Draft and package donor-ready materials (one-pagers, impact language, budgets, attachments)
- Build and manage a donor pipeline (identify, cultivate, follow-up, steward)
- Develop partnerships that align with the Foundation’s values and public-facing tone
- Coordinate with Treasurer on tracking restricted vs. unrestricted funds and basic reporting
- Support simple storytelling of impact (what happened, why it matters, what’s next)
- Ensure documentation stays “grant-ready” (policies, role clarity, board minutes, compliance basics)
Deliverables
- Monthly: 1-page Funding & Partnerships Summary (progress, submissions, next actions)
- Quarterly: Pipeline review + next-quarter funding priorities for board discussion
- As needed: Grant packets and donor outreach sequences tied to specific opportunities
Success Measures
- Consistent submission rhythm (grants and/or donor outreach) with clear tracking
- Growing number of qualified relationships and repeat supporters
- Improved readiness: documents, narratives, and budgets are easy to assemble quickly
- Funding growth supports sustainability without compromising mission tone
Qualifications
- Ability to write clearly and professionally (grant language and donor-facing messaging)
- Comfort organizing documents, deadlines, and basic tracking
- Strong values-alignment and care with tone; respects the reflective nature of the work
- Experience with nonprofit fundraising or grant writing preferred (not required)
Working Style
This role values calm clarity over urgency. Work is organized in small steps, with simple systems that keep the Foundation consistent, credible, and ready.