Director, Institutional Partnerships

The Director of Institutional Partnerships leads PFI’s efforts to grow strategic, mission-aligned revenue from foundations, gifts-in-kind partners, and institutional funders. This position sets and implements a strategy for institutional fundraising, helping to position the organization for future government funding opportunities. A seasoned relationship-builder and systems leader, the Director is responsible for cultivating funder relationships, overseeing high-quality proposals and reports, managing budgets and revenue targets, and building a team that supports long-term growth. This role collaborates closely with Global Impact (Programs), Finance, and the Major Gifts team to align funding with organizational priorities and deliver compelling cases for support. It is ideal for a proactive, solutions-oriented leader with deep development experience and strong communication skills—both in writing and in the room. Core Responsibilities

Develop and lead the institutional funding strategy across gifts-in-kind, foundation grants, and government pre-positioning. Build and manage a high-performing grants and partnerships team—including shared staff initially and direct reports over time. Establish internal systems for pipeline development, proposal processes, and reporting that support multi-year revenue growth. Contribute to fundraising forecasts and planning; manage departmental budgets and annual fundraising goals. Cultivate a positive team culture of interdepartmental trust and engagement. Funder Cultivation & Stewardship

Manage and grow a portfolio (7+ figure and growing) of institutional funders and partners, lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Identify new GIK and foundation opportunities aligned with PFI’s mission and program priorities. Serve as lead contact for institutional donors, including foundation directors, program officers, non-profit partners, and GIK donors. Represent PFI in meetings, negotiations, and presentations with funders and philanthropic stakeholders. Oversee development of compelling concept notes, LOIs, proposals, and reports that meet funder expectations. Ensure grant budgets, narratives, and deliverables are coordinated with Finance and Global Impact teams. Maintain internal tracking systems, dashboards, and grant calendars; ensure compliance and renewal strategy execution. Strengthen team capacity in research, writing, data collection, and relationship management. Work with Global Impact to develop fundable programmatic opportunities and ensure alignment of impact data and outcomes. Partner with Finance to develop funder-ready budgets and financial reports. Provide proposal and reporting support to Major Gift Officers for institutional-style donors. Collaborate with Major Gifts Officers on blended funding strategies and co-investment opportunities. Coordinate with Marketing & Communications to support visibility and storytelling for institutional audiences. Requirements

Strong leadership and people management experience; ability to build and mentor a high-performing team. Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, and interpersonal—with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. Strategic thinker with operational execution skills and attention to detail. Committed to the mission and values of the Christian faith and Prison Fellowship International. Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree or CFRE preferred. 8–10+ years of progressive experience in institutional fundraising, foundation relations, or corporate partnerships. Knowledge of international development, humanitarian aid, or related nonprofit sectors preferred. Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and grant management tools. Proven track record in securing and stewarding six and seven-figure grants or gifts-in-kind. Work Status

Full-time, exempt position located at the PFI headquarters in Ashburn, VA. In-Office with structured hybrid option available (Mondays & Fridays) Must live in the DC metro area or be willing to relocate. Travel

Approximately 10–35% travel required, including both domestic and international travel.

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