Manager, Foundation Partnerships

Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate for policies to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org .

The Opportunity

The Manager of Foundation Partnerships will build and manage foundation relationships to support Common Sense Media's foundation fundraising efforts. This role is critical to sustaining a robust $10M+ annual foundation team revenue stream, with a portfolio of 25+ active partners.

Location : San Francisco, California
Reports to : Senior Director, Foundation Partnerships
Salary : $92,000–$105,000
Type : Full-time, exempt

What You'll Do

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy Development

• Inform philanthropic funding strategy discussions and contribute insights to shape long-term funding priorities.

• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Foundation Partnerships and program teams to craft clear, compelling concept papers, proposals, and reports that translate program goals, activities, impact metrics, and budgets into persuasive narratives aligned with organizational priorities.

• Monitor trends in technology and AI, and research emerging developments in institutional philanthropy with respect to both; synthesize insights and surface new opportunities to inform internal strategy.

• Receive strategic input from cross-functional partners, including Partnerships and Programs, to strengthen progress toward annual and multi-year institutional revenue goals.

Foundation Partnerships and Fundraising

• Develop and manage a portfolio of foundation relationships, renewing and expanding established grants while stewarding each opportunity from cultivation through submission, reporting, and renewal.

• Provide strategic support to the Senior Director of Foundation Partnerships in cultivating and securing new $1M+ awards, and lead the preparation of high-quality proposals and reports for current general operating and cross-pillar funders focused on education, research, and family engagement.

Other Responsibilities:

• Develop clear strategic objectives and tailored talking points for foundation partner meetings to effectively present programs and assess alignment with prospective partners.

• Steward current foundation funders through thoughtful written updates and meetings that communicate program activities, impact, and future plans.

• Collaborate with foundations to secure sponsorships and cultivate strategic partnerships for philanthropic events.

• Represent the Foundations team in internal program meetings, partnering with staff to shape grant concepts and monitor progress against deliverables (outputs, outcomes, and budgets).

• Create polished presentations and other high-quality collateral to support fundraising efforts.

• Prepare in-depth background briefs on prospective foundations to inform cultivation strategy.

• Maintain accurate records in Salesforce, tracking engagement and moves management.

What We're Looking For

• A bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience in a nonprofit setting; experience in communications, editorial, or business development is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and close foundation giving related to technology initiatives.

• Exceptional writing and communication skills, with strong research, analytical, presentation, and public speaking abilities.

• Demonstrated success in grant writing, fundraising strategy, and program and budget development, with the ability to align foundation priorities to organizational funding needs and craft compelling, impact-driven proposals.

• Proven ability to proactively steward funders and cultivate strong, long-term relationships.

• Knowledge of current trends in philanthropy and in Common Sense Media's focus areas (education, research, and advocacy), with fluency in the evolving tech and AI landscape.

• Collaborative leader with experience managing cross-functional initiatives and working effectively across teams.

• Highly self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial environment.

• Proficient in Google Workspace and experienced with databases and CRM platforms, preferably Salesforce.

What We Offer:

• The chance to work with talented, passionate professionals.

• A great health and welfare benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a matching 401(k).

• An organization that offers work/life balance.

• The opportunity to secure the resources needed to reach millions of families, shape policy at the highest levels, and fundamentally change how kids experience technology. This is fundraising with purpose and impact at scale.

Common Sense Media provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Common Sense Media will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.