Summary
Description
Position Summary
The Director of Foundation Giving is a senior leader on Dental Lifeline Network’s Development Team and a primary driver of the organization’s foundation revenue growth.
This role is fundamentally proposal-driven. Nearly half of the Director’s time and focus is dedicated to grant writing and proposal development, translating DLN’s complex, state-based programs into compelling, funder-ready narratives that secure transformative investments.
In this hands-on leadership role, you will write and shape high-impact proposals that fuel life-changing dental care for people who are elderly, living with disabilities, managing complex medical conditions, or facing chronic disease. You will also steward a national portfolio of foundation partners, guide strategies, and collaborate deeply across the organization to ensure proposals are accurate, aligned, and grounded in real-world need.
Created in response to growing demand nationwide, this role is ideal for a strategic grant writer who thrives at the intersection of storytelling, data, and execution—and who wants their writing to directly expand access, reduce waitlists, and restore health and dignity in communities across the country.
Key Responsibilities
1. Proposal Development & Submission (45%)
- Lead and own the full grant lifecycle with a primary emphasis on grant writing and proposal development, from concept through final submission.
- Write, edit, and refine high-quality, customized proposals that clearly articulate DLN’s mission, outcomes, equity lens, and return on investment.
- Translate complex program models, state funding gaps, and waitlist realities into clear, compelling narratives aligned with funder priorities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to gather patient stories, volunteer metrics, program outcomes, and financial data to support proposal development.
- Maintain internal grant systems (DonorPerfect, grant calendars, dashboards) to ensure deadlines, deliverables, and submissions are met with rigor and consistency.
2. Foundation Strategy & Leadership (25%)
- Design and lead DLN’s national and state-level foundation fundraising strategy, including multi-year goals for restricted and unrestricted revenue.
- Build and manage a diverse portfolio of national and regional foundation partners across priority states.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President of Development, identifying trends, surfacing opportunities, and mitigating risk within the foundation landscape.
- Partner with Programs to align proposals with DLN’s state playbooks (Restore / Stabilize / Prevent), emerging needs, and capacity realities.
3. Grant Prospecting & Pipeline Development (15%)
- Identify, research, and qualify new foundation prospects aligned with DLN’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Build and sustain a robust pipeline of funding opportunities ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000+.
- Conduct fit assessments and prospect research that directly inform proposal strategy, positioning, and messaging.
4. Stewardship, Reporting & Partner Engagement (10%)
- Lead the development of clear, outcomes-focused grant reports and stewardship materials that demonstrate impact and ROI.
- Support meaningful partner engagement through timely updates, storytelling, and long-term relationship cultivation.
- Ensure all reporting requirements, recognition obligations, and grant conditions are met with excellence.
5. Cross-Departmental Collaboration (5%)
- Collaborate closely with Programs, Affiliate Relations, Marketing, and Finance to ensure proposal accuracy, compliance, and alignment.
- Participate in cross-departmental “Huddle” meetings to support post-award execution and accountability.
Key Qualifications
- 7–10+ years of progressive experience in foundation or institutional giving, with significant hands-on grant writing responsibility.
- Proven success securing 5-, 6-, and preferably 7-figure foundation investments, including repeat and multi-year awards.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex programmatic and financial information into persuasive narratives.
- Strong analytical and budgeting skills, with comfort using data, outcomes, and metrics to strengthen proposals.
- Highly organized and accountable, able to manage multiple proposals, deadlines, and portfolios simultaneously.
- Experience in health care, human services, oral health, chronic disease, or related fields strongly preferred.
- Collaborative leadership style with a track record of cross-functional partnership and stewardship.
Salary & Benefits
- Salary Range: $75,000–$85,000
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Mission-driven, flexible work environment with a deeply committed team
Success Metrics
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Quality, clarity, and timeliness of foundation proposals
- Annual foundation revenue growth (national and state-level)
- New foundation partners secured
- Renewal and multi-year grant success rates
- Strategic alignment of proposals with DLN’s priorities and state needs
- Increased funding diversity across DLN’s highest-need states
Reporting Structure
- Reports to: Vice President of Development
- Direct reports: Senior Grant Writer
- Internal partners: CEO, Programs Leadership, Affiliate Relations, Marketing, Finance, Development Team
Why This Role Matters
Demand for DLN’s services continues to grow among seniors, veterans, and people managing complex medical conditions. At the same time, many states face volunteer shortages, capacity constraints, and long waitlists.
Foundation giving is one of DLN’s most powerful tools to stabilize and scale care nationwide—and strong proposals are the engine that makes that possible.
This role exists to ensure DLN’s story is told clearly, credibly, and persuasively—so more people can access the care they need, when they need it.
If you are energized by writing, strategy, and measurable impact, this is your moment.
