Foundation Manager
- Overview
The Role of a Foundation Manager
A Foundation Manager is responsible for overseeing a private foundation, which may operate on its own or with other charitable entities, on behalf of a family or individual. A Foundation Director’s primary responsibilities include researching and analyzing social issues, processing grant applications and determining which grants to make, partnering with other charitable entities, implementing non-profit strategies in fundraising, marketing and advertising, providing operational and financial oversight and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
A successful Foundation Manager will support the foundation’s principal(s) in achieving their philanthropic goals through their expertise, leadership and operational management, all while maintaining the foundation’s integrity and transparency.
- The Role Defined
Job Description
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
A Foundation Manager should have a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree – often in the areas of humanities, social sciences, business, non-profit management, communication, human resources, finance/accounting or a related field.
Experienced Foundation Managers should have 5+ years’ experience in operations at a non-profit organization or private foundation, or other relevant philanthropic, family office or corporate experience. Depending on the work of the foundation, experience in a specific sector or an ability to manage other staff may be required.
SKILLS
- Training in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, evaluation, public relations, grant writing and grantmaking
- Familiarity with functions within a variety of areas of operating a non-profit, including set-up, human resources, reporting, marketing/communication, legal/compliance and technology
- Experience planning and executing events that further the vision or specific goals of the foundation
- Proven leadership and management qualities/experience
- Project management skills: seeing complex projects through, consulting with others for their expertise, and quickly learning, implementing and/or disseminating new information
- Creative mindset, strong research skills and a natural ability to identify opportunity to solve problems
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders in a high-paced environment
- Technological proficiency and familiarity with commonly used office software (Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, PDF-editing, etc.)
CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Professional certifications are not required for a Foundation Manager, but the following may be considered advantageous to a candidate’s profile:
- Non-profit Management or Leadership Certificates
- Social Impact Strategy Course
- Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAAP)
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
RESPONSIBILITIES
A Foundation Manager’s duties vary greatly depending on the work and focus of the foundation, but commonly include:
- Managing and executing on the mission, vision and goals of a principal’s private foundation
- Conducting research, analysis and evaluation of potential grantees, and providing recommendations to the principal(s)
- Negotiating and liaising with nonprofit organizations, other private foundations, donors and other philanthropic partners on behalf of the family
- Overseeing the grantmaking process, including solicitation, review, approval, monitoring and reporting of all grants
- Organizing and facilitating meetings, events and publications related to the family’s philanthropy
- Maintaining and updating the foundation’s records, database and reports
- Monitoring and reporting on the impact, trends, developments and opportunities in the philanthropic sector
- Event planning and execution
- Working closely with the family office to determine budget and plan for future expenditures
- Ensuring compliance with all legal, ethical and professional standards and regulations regarding foundation management
ATTRIBUTES
Characteristics of a successful Foundation Manager include:
Leadership
A skilled Foundation Manager is someone with natural leadership qualities, who can inspire and motivate those around them to achieve their own goals. This person should have a strong work ethic as well as the ability to work independently. He or she should have a positive attitude/uplifting demeanor and should be dynamic and persuasive when interacting with others.
Organizational skills
A Foundation Manager should be proficient in planning, organizing and executing projects on behalf of a foundation. He or she should be able to set clear goals, prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, monitor progress and evaluate outcomes, as well as handling multiple projects simultaneously and meeting necessary deadlines.
Interpersonal communication
A Foundation Manager should have excellent interpersonal skills and communication abilities to interact effectively with principal(s), colleagues and other stakeholders. He or she should be able to listen actively, communicate clearly and concisely, express empathy and respect, and resolve conflicts constructively. They should also be able to adapt their communication style to different situations and audiences.
Responsibility and integrity
A Foundation Manager should be responsible and accountable for his or her actions and decisions. He or she should be able to work independently and proactively, take initiative and ownership of tasks, and follow through on commitments. He or she should also demonstrate integrity and honesty in all aspects of his or her work, adhere to ethical standards and principles and protect the confidentiality and privacy of the foundation and its principal(s).
COMPENSATION
Total compensation for a Foundation Manager is between $90-150K. Factors that command a higher salary include specific education/certification requirements, non-profit or private foundation experience, size of the foundation and scope of its work. Components of an Foundation Manager’s compensation may include:
Base salary
A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. A Foundation Manager’s base salary varies depending on the size, complexity and location of the office they support, as well as the experience and qualifications of the Foundation Manager.
Discretionary bonus
Discretionary bonuses are variable amounts that are paid annually, based on an individual’s performance. The percentage of compensation paid as a salary versus a bonus is entirely up to the employer, but for an Foundation Manager, a discretionary bonus will most likely account for 10 – 20% of total compensation. The most common reason for a higher bonus percentage (relative to salary) is to tie an employee’s compensation to their overall performance. It also allows an employer to set strategic goals during the employee’s annual performance evaluation, with the pay out of their bonus linked to the completion of stated goals.
STANDARD BENEFITS
A Foundation Manager will typically have access to the following corporate-style benefits (or receive a stipend to obtain such benefits themselves):
Medical, dental and vision
Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.
Retirement savings account
401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.
Paid time off
PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.
Travel/miscellaneous expenses
Expenses incurred when travelling or conducting business on behalf of the Foundation, including transportation, accommodations, meals and other costs related to business travel. These expenses may be reimbursed or covered by a travel allowance or budget.
OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"
Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:
Education
- Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children
Professional development
- Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications
Health and wellness
- Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered at the office
- Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
- Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
- Life and disability insurance
Employee assistance
- Financial counseling
- Legal advice
- Transportation reimbursement or allowance
Charity
- Volunteer opportunities
- PTO days for community service
- Charitable match program
Family benefits
- On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
- Parental and family medical leave
Workplace
- Remote work/flexible hours
- Casual work attire
- Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards
REPORT STRUCTURE
A Foundation Manager most often reports to:
- A senior administration position (Executive or Managing Director of the Foundation)
- A designated individual within the family office (Director of Operations or Administration, Chief of Staff or Managing Director)
- Directly to the client(s)
A private foundation may employ other staff that the Foundation Manager is responsible for managing or reporting to, or they may work as a sole operator of the foundation.
Leading Your Philanthropic Vision
A Foundation Manager oversees the daily operations, strategy, and administration of philanthropic organizations. From grant management to donor relations and compliance, they ensure that charitable efforts run efficiently and align with the Foundation’s mission. Their expertise maximizes impact while maintaining organizational excellence.
Need a professional to guide your Foundation’s success? Let us connect you with a Foundation Manager who will handle the details while you focus on your philanthropic vision.
Adam Cook
Managing Director, Old State Staffing
- Strategic Leadership
Turning Vision Into Impact
Why You Should Consider a Foundation Manager
A Foundation Manager ensures that philanthropic initiatives are effectively managed, maximizing impact and efficiency. Their leadership supports seamless operations and long-term success. A Foundation Manager can help you:
- Oversee grants, donations, and funding allocation
- Ensure compliance with legal and financial regulations
- Manage day-to-day foundation operations
- Develop strategies to enhance impact and outreach
- Build relationships with donors, partners, and community organizations
Hiring a Foundation Manager means having a dedicated professional who ensures your charitable efforts are well-structured, efficient, and aligned with your greater philanthropic goals.
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