Associate Director – Foundations

Meridian International Center

. Identify and research new foundation prospects using Instrumental and other prospect research platforms.

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $68,250 - $93,713 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in grant writing and institutional fundraising, with a strong ability to research and develop successful proposals. Proficient in managing foundation pipelines and maintaining CRM records while effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Grant WritingInstitutional FundraisingSalesforce CRM ManagementProposal DevelopmentResearch and Outreach

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Grant WritingProposal DevelopmentBudget DevelopmentResearchData EntryDeadline TrackingFundraising StrategyProgram EvaluationCompliance ReviewInstitutional Fundraising

Soft Skills

Proactive CommunicationInter-Cultural CommunicationDetail-OrientedOrganizational SkillsTrust Building

Tools & Technologies

SalesforceMicrosoft OfficeInstrumentalCanvaZoom

Industry Keywords

Nonprofit OrganizationFoundation ProposalsFunding PotentialMission AlignmentFunder Relationships

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify and research new foundation prospects using Instrumental and other prospect research platforms.
Build and maintain a multi-year foundation pipeline supporting all Open Diplomacy Centers.
Qualify and prioritize prospects based on mission alignment, funding potential, relationship access, eligibility, and staff capacity.
Support cultivation of prospects and existing funders alongside senior staff.
Serve as day-to-day point of contact for foundation program officers.
Arrange higher-level meetings between funders and Meridian senior staff.
Work across centers to represent their portfolios credibly to funders.
Develop pitch-ready program materials for foundation audiences.
Support funder site visits, briefings, and convenings.
Write letters of inquiry, proposals, budgets, and reports.
Manage proposal development from initial concept through submission, including timelines, coordination, and internal approvals.
Work with finance and program staff to develop accurate, fundable program budgets.
Help develop annual fundraising goals covering prospects, cultivation milestones, submissions, renewals, and revenue.
Maintain accurate and current Salesforce CRM records.
Track deadlines, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
Provide leadership with updates on pipeline status and revenue goals.
Review grant agreements and award letters for restrictions, reporting requirements, and deliverable terms, flagging compliance considerations.
Complete organizational administrative responsibilities and deadlines.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A bachelor's degree is required.
5–7 years of experience in grant writing, institutional fundraising, and/or business development at a nonprofit organization.
Demonstrated experience of researching, writing, and submitting successful foundation proposals.
Equivalent combination of training, education, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may qualify.
Strong generalist able to quickly learn multiple program areas and represent them to external funders.
Ability to independently manage research, writing, outreach, CRM maintenance, and deadline tracking while coordinating with program, finance, and leadership colleagues.
Persistent, proactive communication and ability to build trust with internal stakeholders.
Excellent writing ability and comfort producing polished, deadline-driven proposals independently.
Research-minded self-starter comfortable identifying and qualifying new opportunities without significant oversight.
Detail-oriented and highly organized, with enthusiasm for research, writing, data entry, and tracking.
Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Experience with Salesforce is required.
Experience with Instrumental, Canva, and Zoom is helpful.
Must reside in Maryland, District of Columbia, or Virginia.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Retirement insurance/plan
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Voluntary benefits
Paid leave
Paid holidays
Reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions