The National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) are proud to be part of a highly respected industry, providing hospitality, opportunity, and quality of life. Much like the industry we represent, we have a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive culture, grounded in trust, hospitality, collaboration, and innovation. These are the core values that inspire our work, and what were looking for in a Foundation Partnerships Director, to serve as a key liaison between the NRAEF and funders, grant makers, and social impact investors.
As an integral member of our Industry Partnership Group, the Foundation Partnerships Director is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to raise funding in support of the NRAEFs mission through private foundations and government grants. The position focuses heavily on securing funding for workforce training and development, career and technical education, and industry equity initiatives. In addition, the Foundation Partnerships Director will build and steward strong, trustbased relationships with foundation program officers, philanthropic leaders, government grant administrators, and funding partners aligned with the restaurant and foodservice sectors.
Ideal candidates bring a minimum of five to eight years of sophisticated, proven foundation fundraising experience, preferably within a nonprofit, association, or public affairs environment, including success securing competitive grants. This individual contributor position requires a highly collaborative, entrepreneurial, and creative self-starter, with the ability to shape and drive fundraising strategies that align institutional goals with long-term growth interests.
You will thrive in this role if you are a charismatic and strategic leader with strong relationship-building, communication and influencing skills, and the confidence and diplomacy to engage stakeholders at all levels.
Position operates out of our DC office with a required three days onsite, Monday - Wednesday, with flexibility to work remote on Thursday and Friday.
The work you will do as Foundation Partnerships Director will be pivotal to driving financial support, industry alignment, and long-term growth for the organization. We look forward to hearing from you!
We are proud to offer our team members comprehensive benefits, designed to support their financial, professional, and personal well-being. In addition to outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision), competitive salaries, generous vacation and leave time, we offer a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Execution
Develop and implement a multi-year strategy to grow revenue from private foundations, restaurant foundations, and public organizations.
Identify prospective foundation funders whose priorities align with the NRAs mission, programs, and policy initiatives.
Lead the full grant lifecycle: research, qualification, proposal writing, submission, reporting, and stewardship.
Collaborate with program, legal and finance staff to develop budgets, organizational alignment, logic models, and evaluation plans for proposals.
Relationship Management
Cultivate and steward relationships with program officers, grant managers, and foundation executives.
Represent the NRAEF at funder meetings, conferences, and industry events.
Maintain detailed records of all communications, deadlines, and submissions in the CRM system.
Fundraising Strategy and Execution
Develop and implement a multi-year strategy to grow revenue from private foundations, restaurant foundations, and public organizations.
Identify prospective foundation funders whose priorities align with the NRAs mission, programs, and policy initiatives.
Lead the full grant lifecycle: research, qualification, proposal writing, submission, reporting, and stewardship.
Collaborate with program, legal and finance staff to develop budgets, organizational alignment, logic models, and evaluation plans for proposals.
Internal Collaboration
Collaborate closely with colleagues across Workforce Development, Membership, Government Affairs, and Educational Programming to understand program goals and translate them into fundable opportunities.
Partner with the marketing and communications teams to develop customized impact reports and donor-facing materials.
Support the VP of Development and executive leadership in donor meetings and strategy sessions.
Grants Management and Reporting
Ensure compliance with foundation requirements and timely delivery of reports and updates.
Track and report on performance metrics and revenue goals related to foundation giving.
Stay abreast of philanthropic trends and best practices relevant to workforce, equity, job quality, government affairs, and philanthropy.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience
Bachelors degree and 5-8 years of progressive experience in foundation fundraising, preferably within a nonprofit, association, or public affairs environment.
Proven track record of securing foundation grants.
Experience working with private foundations and government grant agencies.
Fundamental restaurant and foodservice industry experience is strongly preferred.
Skills and Competencies
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
Proficient with donor management systems and grant tracking tools.
Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Highly organized with keen attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Ability to translate complex programs into compelling funding proposals. Familiarity with issues impacting the restaurant and foodservice industry, including labor shortages, food safety, sustainability, and workforce equity.
Available to travel up to 20% for funder meetings, conferences, and industry events.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC, and The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (together, Company) is committed to equal employment opportunity, and it is Company's policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and disability, or other legally protected status, and we will ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
