The Institutional Giving Manager will be central to the success of the California Ocean Science Trust (OST) mission to bridge science and policy for a healthy California coast and ocean. This role is focused on prospecting: finding new foundation and corporate funders, building the grant pipeline, and collaborating with OST program staff to grow and amplify investments in California’s ocean science priorities. The Institutional Giving Manager will bring in funding that builds our own capacity to deliver on our mission, and, as we grow as a funder in our own right, will bring in funding that grows the resources OST holds and stewards to invest externally in the broader ocean science community. This is not a classic grant-writer role: as we seek to grow public and private investments in ocean science, marine STEM, and workforce development, the Institutional Giving Manager will work in a collaborative setting with our organizational leadership to foster funder relationships, and represent OST as a peer to funders’ own program staff.
The Institutional Giving Manager will manage the full cycle of OST’s institutional grant-seeking activities, from inquiry through proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewals; forecast grant revenue; and work through proposal and award budgets collaboratively with the organization’s finance and programmatic staff. They will build and manage our corporate sponsorship program, developing sponsorship packages, securing corporate partners for programs and events, and stewarding those relationships. This role is distinct from the broader private-sector role in rebuilding investment in ocean science; this role’s corporate work is focused specifically on program and event sponsorship.
Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, this is a highly collaborative and cross-functional role in the organization. We seek a colleague who can creatively bridge organizational and programmatic needs to align with proposal and sponsorship opportunities.
This is a part time role at 25 hours per week, with a schedule that can flex around funder deadlines, and Mondays (or first day of the week) “in office” is required. Currently the role is funded through September 2027 with the potential for extension.
Knowledge & Experience
• 4-5 years experience prospecting and identifying potential sources of new corporate and foundation support.
• 4-5 years experience forecasting grant revenue and managing a pipeline with realistic likelihood and timing estimates.
• 4-5 years experience building proposals and award budgets in partnership with finance staff.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the role of science and science funding in government, and an understanding of how OST’s independence shapes what we do and do not pursue.
• Track record of success in seeking, obtaining, and renewing multi-year five- and six-figure grants. Experience with science funding and/or marine STEM education funding is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full grant cycle for multiple institutional grantors.
Skills & Attributes
• Outstanding verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to understand needs, connect opportunities, and prioritize capacities.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including collaborating on proposal development.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, particularly the ability to shepherd a collaborative deliverable to meet a deadline and to work independently on its completion.
• Demonstrated knowledge of funder prospecting practices, grantmaking and reporting cycles, proposal writing, and administration.
• Understanding of detailed and multi-programmatic budgeting.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively; a team player willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Comfort working at the intersection of science and policy, and the ability to translate technical work into compelling funder language.
• Commitment to OST’s mission.
• Refined political acumen and understanding of policy processes is a plus.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a non-exempt part-time fixed-term appointment, funded through September 2027, with the possibility to extend. The pay range for this position is $43-$53/hour in consideration of expertise and experience. We offer a generous benefit plan which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision insurance, and more. Benefits will be pro-rated based on FTE %. We work remotely, and have flexible, family-friendly schedules, and a monthly technology allowance.