Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

POSITION: Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

 

LOCATION: 47 West Street, Boston

 

REPORTS TO: Chief Development Officer

 

EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt

 

ABOUT BRIDGE: Bridge Over Troubled Waters provides effective and innovative services to runaway, homeless and high-risk youth, helps youth avoid a lifetime of dependency on social services, guides youth towards self-sufficiency, and enables youth to transform their lives and build fulfilling, meaningful futures.

 

 

POSITION SUMMARY

 

The Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations is a key member of the Development team and supports Bridge’s annual revenue goals by leading all corporate fundraising and partnership development, as well as overseeing annual fund foundation grants, including submissions, reporting, research, and stewardship. The Manager supervises the part-time Grant Writer and works closely with Program staff and the Communications team to ensure strong proposal content, timely reporting, and consistent donor engagement.

The Manager develops and executes the annual business plan and multi-year strategy for corporate and foundation giving, incorporating prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition. The role manages a portfolio of corporate partners and foundation donors, creating tailored strategies to deepen engagement through partnership opportunities, volunteer activation, sponsorships, and institutional philanthropy. The Manager also collaborates with the Grant Writer to identify new opportunities and supports the onboarding and integration of the Corporate and Foundation Relations team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Grants Management

• Lead the preparation, writing, and submission of all Annual Fund grant applications, including proposals, narratives, budgets, attachments, and supporting documents.
• Manage a comprehensive grants calendar to ensure timely submission of proposals and reports, balancing multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend new institutional funding opportunities for general operating, programmatic, and capital needs.

 

• Steward foundation donors through tailored engagement strategies, annual stewardship plans, timely reporting, and ongoing relationship-building.
• Manage and prepare accurate and compelling grant reports as required for awarded grants.
• Draft and coordinate follow-up materials for proposals, including acknowledgment letters, additional documentation, and funder communications.
• Coordinate site visits for foundation representatives and prepare all necessary briefing materials, partnering with senior leadership as needed.
• Collaborate closely with Program staff to gather program design details, outcomes, data, and updates for use in proposals and reports.
• Maintain current research files on youth homelessness, service trends, impact metrics, and best practices to inform high-quality proposals, reports, and institutional messaging.

 

Corporate Partnerships

• Lead all corporate fundraising efforts with a focus on building long-term partnerships that include financial support, in-kind contributions, volunteer engagement, and sponsorships.
• Develop and execute annual and multi-year strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors and prospects.
• Create customized corporate partnership proposals aligned with business interests and Bridge priorities.
• Steward corporate partners through intentional outreach, engagement touchpoints, and recognition strategies.
• Expand and manage Bridge’s Corporate Volunteer Program as a strategic cultivation tool, creating meaningful on-site and off-site volunteer opportunities that introduce, engage, and steward institutional donors.
• Design and coordinate high-quality volunteer experiences that strengthen corporate engagement, ensuring streamlined logistics, strong communication, and a positive experience for both volunteers and youth.
• Secure in-kind gifts and donations from corporate partners for holiday initiatives and priority needs throughout the year.
• Actively pursue corporate sponsorship opportunities for Bridge events and serve as the primary liaison for corporate third-party fundraisers.
• Represent Bridge at corporate meetings, networking events, volunteer days, and partner-hosted fundraisers.

 

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Communications/Marketing team to ensure alignment in messaging, develop partner-facing materials, and support storytelling for institutional donors.
• Work in partnership with the Development team to coordinate donor strategies, share updates, and support integrated fundraising initiatives.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Program staff to ensure accurate communication of program goals, outcomes, impact data, and organizational priorities for inclusion in proposals, reports, stewardship materials, and corporate engagement opportunities.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to support organizational cohesion and ensure institutional fundraising strategies reflect the needs and strengths of all departments.

 

 

 

Work Expectations

• This position requires evening and occasional weekend hours for donor events, volunteer programs, and corporate engagement activities.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Development Officer.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field required.

 

Experience

• Minimum of 5–8 years of demonstrated and successful experience in nonprofit fundraising.
• Grant writing experience required.
• Experience with youth-focused programming preferred.
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding annual fundraising goals.

 

Training and Technical Proficiency

• Proficiency with donor management systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge experience a plus)
• Strong command of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and

 

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and cultural humility.
• Ability to understand and interpret budgets and financial statements.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage corporate partners, foundation representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to the mission of Bridge and sensitivity to issues affecting homeless and high-risk youth.