Associate Director Foundation Relations

Department: University Advancement
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular Ongoing
Salary: $65000 - $75000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year 2025-2026
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

January 5th 2026; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position applicants must submit a complete application that includes (1) an online application (2) a cover letter and (3) a resume that addresses how they meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications.

Applicants must also submit a writing sample. This position requires a high level of writing proficiency. Submit a 1-page excerpt of your own writing which could include an academic paper grant or fellowship application or other example of your choosing. You do not need to write something new we want to see an example of something you have written for a professional or academic purpose.

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to apply even if you dont think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications. Use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.

Department Summary

University Advancement (UA) supports the University of Oregons (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching discovery and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness build long-term relationships and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming safe and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Central Development Research Programs the Associate Director of Foundation Relations is responsible for identifying cultivating solicitating and stewarding private foundations with the capacity to make grants of up to $100000. This position will assist multiple schools and units across campus will manage a portfolio of private foundations and will respond to queries from members of the UO community (Advancement colleagues faculty administrators etc.) regarding opportunities with private foundations that may exists outside the portfolio. The primary focus of the person in this role will be identifying foundation prospects whose missions align with research scholarship and artistic output of the universitys arts humanities and qualitative social science disciplines. This includes faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences College of Design and Oregon Humanities Center as well as programs in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Museum of Natural and Cultural History and UO Libraries.

The Associate Director of Foundation Relations will manage the stewardship/reporting for foundations in their portfolio. This position will coordinate with academic partners on awarded grants to write and submit reports in coordination with funder criteria and deadlines.

The Associate Director will establish effective working relationships with school/unit fundraisers deans and faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals.

The Associate Director will be responsible for meeting fundraising goals as they relate to the strategic needs of the University of Oregon. Performance as measured against these goals will be evaluated annually.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Two years of professional experience in foundation and/or corporate relations at a university or other large institution OR three years experience in a closely related field.
• Experience writing grant proposals or similar materials for foundations and/or corporations.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to source and develop competitive proposals to philanthropic foundations in support of research scholarship and artistic activities led by UO faculty.
• Working with foundation prospects: Ability to identify cultivate and solicit foundation prospects and build relationships with key constituents connected with the university.
• Ability to work with university faculty and professional staff to understand priorities and programmatic needs in order to identify potential foundation partners and sponsors.
• Strong writing and editing skills: Ability to draft and edit proposals letters of intent and other collateral materials designed to promote university programs to potential foundation partners.
• Portfolio Management: Ability to research and identify foundation prospects based on university priorities and giving opportunities. Ability to manage portfolio of 30-50 foundation prospects and regularly use CRM database and other tools to find and update prospect information.
• Professionalism: Ability to establish collaborative working relationships with Advancement colleagues and university faculty staff University of Oregon Foundation staff and leadership and maintain professionalism when working with different university constituents.
• Institutional navigation and industry knowledge: Ability to make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects effectively matching the programmatic and mission goals of private foundations with specific university needs; ability to maintain core campus relationships and familiarity with industry best practices in foundation relations.
• Strategic planning: Ability to identify best potential foundation prospects for specific university projects and to develop effective engagement strategies for foundations. Ability to contribute to overall strategic planning for Central Development Research Programs led by the Executive Director.
• Ability to interact communicate and work effectively with individuals recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity equity and inclusion.
• Ability to travel periodically.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in relevant discipline including but not limited to humanities arts and qualitative social sciences.
• Experience working at a research university or other higher education institution
• Experience working with foundation and/or other institutional prospects

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees including health insurance retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process please email us or call .

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions) age physical or mental disability genetic information (including family medical history) ancestry familial status citizenship service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law) veteran status expunged juvenile record and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs activities and employment practices as required by Title IX other applicable laws and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information related policies and complaint procedures are listed here.

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