Director, Foundation Relations Writer

How many people can answer the question, "What do you do for a living?" with the answer, "I help find cures for cancer." At Blood Cancer United, employees take our mission seriously. Whether you work in one of our regions, are an accountant at the national
office or a specialist in our Information Resource Center, you work each day on making our bold goal a reality: to enable patients with blood cancer to gain more than one million years of life by 2040. Join us and give new meaning to the word, "job."

Summary:
As part of a mission centric, locally delivered and nationally powered organization, the Director, Foundation Relations Writer is responsible for developing high quality written materials in support of foundation fundraising efforts, with a focus on private and family foundations with the capacity to make six-figure and larger grants. Working in close partnership with Advancement as well as Mission staff, this role will lead and support the preparation of compelling foundation grant proposals, grant applications and related materials, including letters of intent, progress and final reports, funder correspondence, and strategic outreach communications with foundations that are being cultivated, solicited and/or stewarded by or in partnership with the Foundation Relations team. The position will also contribute to broader Foundation Relations writing needs.

The ideal candidate is a strong, versatile writer with demonstrated experience in foundation grant writing—preferably in a health, science, or medical related field—who can translate complex programs and scientific research into clear, persuasive narratives tailored to diverse funders.

Key Relationships

Supervises: Individual Contributor
Leads: Territory and Region Advancement staff in the context of writing activities and output relating to foundations being led by or in partnership with the Foundation Relations team

Duties & Responsibilities

Grant Writing & Foundation Communications

• Write, edit, and coordinate persuasive foundation grant proposals and applications, letters of intent (LOIs), concept papers, and related materials to support cultivation and solicitation of foundations.
• Prepare impactful, data-driven progress reports and final reports, and personalized acknowledgements and correspondence for foundation funders.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to gather information, develop budgets and narratives, and ensure proposals meet funder guidelines and deadlines.
• Maintain and regularly update the Foundation Resource Hub, including Foundation Master document, which serves as a centralized, go to resource of approved language and sample responses to common grant application questions. Ensure the Foundation Master document reflects current programs, strategy, and messaging and supports efficient, high quality proposal development across the organization.

Strategic Writing & Outreach

• Draft and edit a range of written communications, including outreach to foundations, overviews of funding opportunities, briefing documents, one-pagers, and internal summaries.
• Develop talking points, meeting plans, and background materials for meetings with foundation donors and prospects.
• Support cultivation and stewardship efforts through clear, donor centered messaging.

Collaboration & Quality Control

• Review and edit materials, including grant proposals and LOIs, prepared by Regional Advancement colleagues to ensure clarity, consistency, accuracy, and alignment with organizational voice and messaging.
• Strategize as needed with Foundation Relations team and other Advancement colleagues on foundation cultivation and approach, including articulating how Blood Cancer United’s mission and programs fit each foundation’s focus areas.
• Maintain organized records of proposals, reports, and related materials, and ensure final documents are uploaded into our CRM (Salesforce), in coordination with the Foundation Relations team.
• Collaborate with and contribute to other projects of the Foundation Relations team as needed.

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Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in foundation grant writing or proposal writing, with experience in health, medical, or scientific research-focused organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing persuasive foundation grant proposals and communications that illustrate alignment between the organization’s mission/programs and the foundation’s giving priorities, effectively share stories, and make a compelling case for support.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style for a range of different audiences, from lay to science-savvy.
• Familiarity with scientific terminology and ability to translate complex concepts or technical information into clear, compelling narratives preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Familiarity with foundation funding landscapes and grant compliance/reporting requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross functional teams.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) required; proficiency in using Salesforce preferred.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Physical demands are minimal and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations.
• Work environment is representative and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations.
• Periodic weekend and evening work required.
• Occasional travel required (approximately 2 times per year).

Employee Value Proposition:
As a valued member of Blood Cancer United, you are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 403b retirement plan along with generous paid time off. In addition, we observe federal paid holidays throughout the year, and offer a wellness program and an employee assistance program.

We are excited to share the base pay range for this position is $95K to $119K. The offered compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, business need, market conditions, proficiencies, skills, education, and experience. Additionally, at Blood Cancer United we place a high value on internal pay equity and will consider the current compensation of similarly situated roles and direct team members. Base compensation is only one component of our Total Rewards program, which also includes an annual incentive plan and a competitive benefits package.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer
Blood Cancer United is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in its workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender, gender identity and expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, race, color, creed, national origin/ancestry, citizenship, religion, genetic predisposition or information, physical or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Blood Cancer United seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission and where they will join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Blood Cancer United home. Blood Cancer United complies with all applicable laws which prohibit discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment supportive of all of our employees and the communities we serve.