Senior Development Officer

Center for Science in the Public Interest

. Develop and implement the overall foundation fundraising strategy with the Senior Director of Development, Development Team, and program staff .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeWashington, D.C. • District of Columbia • United StatesSenior💰 $111,000 - $145,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing foundation fundraising strategies, managing donor relationships, and crafting compelling proposals and reports. Proficient in tracking and stewardship processes while maintaining strong organizational and communication skills.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Foundation Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentGrant Proposal WritingDonor Relationship ManagementInstitutional Fundraising ExperiencePublic Health Advocacy

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising StrategyGrant WritingBudget DevelopmentProspect ResearchProposal DevelopmentStewardship PlanningRevenue Goal SettingFunder Relationship CultivationTracking and ReportingPortfolio Management

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication SkillsStrategic ThinkingInterpersonal SkillsOrganizational SkillsJudgment and Discretion

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft 365Fundraising SoftwareDonor Databases

Industry Keywords

Foundation RelationsInstitutional GivingPublic HealthNonprofit AdvocacyPhilanthropic Trends

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and implement the overall foundation fundraising strategy with the Senior Director of Development, Development Team, and program staff
Set portfolio goals and coordinate outreach across the foundation fundraising program
Oversee execution of the fundraising plan, including stewardship and growth of foundation funders
Engage board members and organizational leadership in cultivation and stewardship efforts
Monitor philanthropic trends, sector best practices, and evolving foundation funding priorities
Ensure fundraising is consistent with CSPI’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Manage and expand a portfolio of foundations, institutional funders, family foundations, and state-based foundations
Develop annual cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and revenue strategies for assigned relationships
Cultivate program officer relationships through meetings, calls, virtual meetings, and stewardship
Develop and monitor annual revenue budgets for foundation funders
Manage foundation prospect research and cultivation
Develop and maintain foundation prospect lists and files
Develop funder briefs, letters of inquiry, proposals, budgets, and reports with team leads
Coach team members on budgeting and program summary preparation
Translate CSPI’s scientific and policy work into compelling funder-ready narratives
Draft and edit foundation fundraising letters, proposals, reports, and outreach publications
Coordinate grant proposal and report submissions and accompanying materials
Maintain calendars and deadlines for foundation fundraising
Track proposal and report deadlines and ensure timely, high-quality submissions
Develop and execute stewardship plans, including impact updates, acknowledgements, and media updates
Maintain accurate donor records and grant tracking in donor systems
Contribute to shared outreach mailings, funder calls, and events
Arrange and participate in meetings between CSPI staff and foundations
Represent CSPI to the foundation funding community and serve as staff liaison with foundations
Report directly to the Senior Development Director
Collaborate with executive leadership, finance, grants management, and program staff

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of progressive experience in foundation relations, institutional giving, or grant-focused fundraising
Ideally experience in public health, science, or advocacy-related nonprofits working at both federal and state levels
Demonstrated success securing and stewarding six-figure and above foundation grants and building long-term funder relationships
Ability to develop and execute institutional fundraising strategy, set revenue goals, build prospect pipelines, and grow portfolios
Experience developing foundation fundraising materials, tracking, stewardship, and solicitation
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and funder presentations tailored to diverse audiences
Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate complex program work into clear cases for support
Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, tactfulness, and good judgment
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Ability to engage senior leaders and board members with foundation funders, prospects, and individual donors
Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex projects
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Interest in nutrition, food safety, and public health issues
Commitment to public interest advocacy
Computer proficiency with Microsoft 365 and fundraising software and databases
Ability and willingness to travel
Interest and commitment to CSPI’s work and mission
Commitment to embracing CSPI’s core values
Must submit a resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience and interest

Benefits

Comp & perks

3 weeks of annual vacation leave
Additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1
8 weeks of paid parental leave
Excellent medical and dental insurance with CSPI paying a significant portion of employee and dependent premiums
3% employer match contribution to the retirement plan after six months of service
½ day Fridays; full-time staff work 36 hours per week
Hybrid work environment for D.C.-based staff, with work-from-home flexibility and occasional in-person meetings
Remote work for staff outside the D.C. area at locations across the U.S.