Remuneration: Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range for U.S. candidates is 125,000-140,000 USD. For U.K. candidates the salary range is 75,000 - 87,000 GBP. If the successful candidate is outside of these countries, the salary will be adjusted based on local market equivalencies.

About Us

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project is a team of experienced change-makers with a mission to scale social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. With affiliated programs and staff in the United States, Europe, and Asia, we have developed a unique model of grant making and campaigning that supports networks of organisations to drive powerful change towards our mission.

We have a dynamic and nimble organisational culture. We’re serious about supporting our people to thrive as we tackle the urgent climate challenge.  We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives will help us build stronger strategies, teams and movements. We take the broadest possible view of diversity and encourage First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone.  Find out more here.

About the role

The Philanthropy Partnerships Manager is a new role within The Sunrise Project’s fundraising team. Together, we are charged with increasing organisational revenue by 33% annually over the next 2 ½ years to reach team fundraising goals of ~$143 million USD by  2025.  The role manages an important portfolio of ~12 globally-significant foundation funders that contribute to preventing climate change. Some of the donors in this portfolio give gifts of USD $1 million or higher. 

The role includes tailoring and implementing gift strategies for existing funders and prospects, as well as collaborating with program experts to prepare compelling proposals, reports, and other materials to cultivate and educate funders to secure grants.   A key part of this role is to support rapid growth by identifying new funder prospects and charting paths to building relationships and closing gifts.  

About you

You’re a skilled foundation fundraiser with a hunger to solve the climate crisis. With a high-level understanding of climate issues and the urgency, you are keen to roll up your sleeves and do the strategizing and work to generate revenue. You’ve got a track record of closing six and seven-figure gifts from foundations. 

You're generous and caring, and engage with authenticity. You’ve got excellent people skills and enjoy creating and building funder relationships. You’re comfortable being at the table with donors and are just as committed to supporting executive leadership in their funder meetings. You enjoy learning what motivates philanthropic giving and creating strategies to attract new funders and love using your excellent writing skills and meticulous attention to detail to create polished funding proposals. You are deadline-oriented and recognize the importance of getting funder reports and proposals in on time.  

Key responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of high-level foundation funders in the United States and Europe;

• Increases the prospect pipeline by identifying and qualifying potential new supporters;

• Creates strategies to close gifts from funders in collaboration with the Executive leads and/or the Managing Director, Development;  

• Supports the Sunrise executive team in liaising with our donors regarding program work and funding needs including strategy briefings, goals, and talking points in advance of meetings and supporting follow up to close grants;

• Builds and maintains relationships with funders and represents the organisation in funder meetings as needed;

• Prepares funding proposals and reports in collaboration with Donor Communications and Program experts;

• Contributes to organisation and team culture by contributing to objectives related to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion;

• Aligns own work and Sunrise’s mission, values and OKR’s.

Required skills, knowledge and experience

• Five years of fundraising experience in a similar or related role, including unpaid, grassroots, or lived experience.

• Track record of closing 6-and 7-figure gifts.

• Well-developed ability to engage professionally with funders in person and by email.

• Excellent writing skills for proposals, reports, and other funder outreach.

• Compelling verbal, presentation, interpersonal and influencing communication skills.

• Excellent relationship building and networking skills

• Financial acumen for proposal and report budgets. 

• A passion for action on climate change and a commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Desirable

• A high-level understanding of climate issues. 

Job requirements 

• You must have full working rights for the United States.  The Sunrise Project Inc is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Employment background checks are required.

• Attend funder meetings, as needed. 

• Intermittent travel domestically, rurally and internationally with advanced notice may be required.

• Flexibility to adjust work hours to accommodate multiple time zones

How Sunrise supports its staff:

The Sunrise Project Inc. (Sunrise Inc.) is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that:

For Candidates in the United States:

• 401(k) & employer match

• 100% employer paid health, vision and dental coverage

• Five weeks of vacation leave

For candidates outside of the United States.

• The successful candidate will be hired via a Professional Employment Organisation (PEO) on behalf of the Sunrise Project, so conditions of employment may vary.  

• Statutory benefits and entitlements of the country in which you are employed.

• Sunrise may provide additional benefits, where in-country entitlements are less than our standard package, where applicable.

Additionally ~ For all staff in all countries

• Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)

• Flexible Working Policy

• Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program

• Public Holidays + Cultural Leave

• Employee Assistance Program

• VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing.

• A range of generous Allowances:

• Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook & accessories, initial $2,000 for home workspace and IT equipment + $800 every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.

• Shared office support

• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats

• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for you

• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback

• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities

• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, e.g. JEDI caucuses, working groups, slack channels, surveys and meetings.