Manager, Research and Fundraising

Open Circle () is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safe supportive and successful schools and communities. where students develop durable and essential life skills such as communication empathy and problem-solving. Through interactive discussions and structured practices Open Circle empowers educators to teach students the skills to build positive relationships navigate challenges and contribute to caring and respectful learning environments.

Open Circle provides training and K-8 curricula focusing on two goals:

• Teaching children critical life skills related to self-awareness self-management social awareness interpersonal relationships and positive decision-making and problem- solving
• Fostering safe caring and engaging classrooms and learning communities

Open Circle is a leading program offering evidence-based professional development and curricula for schools. Since its inception in 1987 Open Circle has reached nearly a million children trained over 60000 educators. Open Circle is currently used in schools across communities in the United States.

Open Circle is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE ().

The Manager Research and Fundraising position advances Open Circles data collection and research initiatives while identifying and securing funding opportunities both through grants and private funding sources. This role bridges program and training outcomes along with resource development ensuring our programming for schools remains well-supported through grants partnerships and philanthropic investment. The Manager Research and Fundraising provides strategic guidance and light-touch oversight to help Open Circle identify explore and develop new opportunities for programs partnerships and resources. This includes program data collection analysis and research while also identifying and supporting fundraising efforts to sustain and expand Open Circles impact.

Essential Functions

Research & Program Development

• Identify emerging trends tools and best practices relevant to Open Circles mission.
• Conduct coordinate and support program-aligned research projects aligned with organizational priorities using current tools.
• Collaborate with staff and partners to develop innovative programs and proposals.
• Support idea development and feasibility assessment for new initiatives.

Fundraising & Grants

• Contribute to fundraising strategy and identify potential supporters.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities from federal agencies foundations and individual donors.
• Lead grant writing with the Executive Director proposal development and submission processes.
• Research and recommend funding opportunities (grants sponsorships partnerships).
• Maintain a grants calendar ensuring timely reporting and compliance with funder requirements.
• Cultivate relationships with philanthropic partners and research collaborators.
• Assist in light proposal drafting concept notes or donor communications.
• Prepare concise research briefs or fundraising updates for leadership review.

Strategic Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between staff schools and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Admin and Marketing managers and trainers to collect data and narratives regarding Open Circles impact on school communities.
• Support cross-functional initiatives to expand the impact and visibility of the organization.
• Track and communicate funding trends relevant to the nonprofit and education sectors.
• Provide recommendations for pilot projects or experiments.

Other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Background in research innovation fundraising or program development.
• Bachelors degree and 2 years of experience
• Experience with nonprofits
• Experience with grants sponsorships or donor engagement (preferred).
• Strong analytical and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Ability to distill insights clearly and concisely.
• Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision.
• Passion for Open Circles mission and values.
• Understanding of education educational policy and social-emotional building programs
• Proven success in grant writing fundraising or development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex ideas for diverse audiences.
• Highly organized self-directed proactive and adept at managing multiple priorities.
• Collaborative relationship-driven and comfortable working across teams and independently.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position the employee is required to:

• Ability to sit and/or for extended periods in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position.
• There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.
• Able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed remotely from personal home office located in the United States.

Schedule: Less than half up to 4 hours per week. This role requires the ability to work occasional mornings nights and weekends.

Compensation:The starting pay or this position is $35 - $35/hr.

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

TSNE/Open Circle strives to achieve excellence through a diverse equitable and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black Indigenous People of Color Middle Eastern and North African Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates and LGBTQ2SIA candidates are encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents learning styles and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individuals performance and job qualifications. TSNE/Open Circle prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race creed color religion native language gender sexual orientation gender identity/expression national origin physical or mental disability age genetic information veteran status marital status parental status pregnancy race-based hairstyles or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class protection under the law or lack thereof TSNE/Open Circlecelebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture and it is who we are.

TSNE/Open Circles EEO statement extends to volunteers interns contractors vendors and clients.