Apply for our Associate, Institutional Development role.
About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.
For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org).
Here at Ceres, we value integrity, equity, belonging, compassion, and respect. We demonstrate those values through how we communicate and collaborate with our colleagues and external partners; and embody them in our decision making and advocacy efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.
About the Institutional Development Team
The Institutional Development Team is responsible for securing approximately 90% of the financial resources that fund Ceres mission. Support comes from individuals, family foundations, institutional foundations, corporate giving, and events. Fundraising strategy, relationship management, grant and report writing, and data analysis are all cornerstones of the team’s responsibilities.
About the Role
The Associate position on Ceres’ Institutional Development team is a strong fit for a highly motivated candidate interested in working in a mission-driven, dynamic, and fast-moving organization that has been recognized as one of the most effective environmental NGOs in the world. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, be a fast learner, and is able to manage challenging and competing deadlines. The Associate will be an integral part of a ten (10) person team that manages a large portfolio of foundation funders and prospective funders.
The full-time remote position will report to a senior member of the Institutional Development team.
Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.
For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org).
Here at Ceres, we value integrity, equity, belonging, compassion, and respect. We demonstrate those values through how we communicate and collaborate with our colleagues and external partners; and embody them in our decision making and advocacy efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.
About the Institutional Development Team
The Institutional Development Team is responsible for securing approximately 90% of the financial resources that fund Ceres mission. Support comes from individuals, family foundations, institutional foundations, corporate giving, and events. Fundraising strategy, relationship management, grant and report writing, and data analysis are all cornerstones of the team’s responsibilities.
About the Role
The Associate position on Ceres’ Institutional Development team is a strong fit for a highly motivated candidate interested in working in a mission-driven, dynamic, and fast-moving organization that has been recognized as one of the most effective environmental NGOs in the world. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, be a fast learner, and is able to manage challenging and competing deadlines. The Associate will be an integral part of a ten (10) person team that manages a large portfolio of foundation funders and prospective funders.
The full-time remote position will report to a senior member of the Institutional Development team.
Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Support project management and writing activities to ensure timely submission of foundation reports that clearly articulate the activities, outcomes, and impact of selected Ceres’ programs achieved with the foundation grant award, including:
- Track, manage, and meet foundation reporting deadlines to assure compliance with funder reporting requirements.
- Provide program and finance team staff with appropriate advance notice of proposal and reporting deadlines and follow up to ensure requested materials are produced in a timely manner.
- In report writing activities, structure well-scoped prompts to ensure program staff feedback is relevant and targeted; review and edit content provided by program staff.
- Work closely with senior Institutional Development staff and staff of select programs to track, assess, and document progress towards meeting grant deliverables and programmatic goals.
- Process grant agreements, draft thank you letters, and update Salesforce with reporting deadlines.
- Coordinate implementation of email blasts to funders with direction from senior members of the Institutional Development team using Salesforce.
- Provide support to senior members of the Institutional Development Team including:
- Assist team members and program staff in preparing and submitting letters of inquiry and proposals across select program areas.
- Research potential foundation funders and evaluate fit with Ceres’ programs.
- Support communication of breaking news, key successes, and timely invitations to events to advance foundation relationships.
- Schedule internal meetings with program staff and external meetings with foundations and / or partner organizations.
- Participate in internal and external meetings to capture key points and next steps through writing and distributing notes.
- Manage the Institutional Development Team’s contact records in Salesforce database, running reports and analyzing results (e.g., for foundation email blasts and foundation RSVPs to events).
- Work with colleagues on Development and Communications teams to capture “best press” and other evidence of Ceres’ impact.
- Coordinate support for development efforts of Ceres’ senior-level staff, including senior directors and executives, including:
- Track travel schedules of select senior-level staff and executives to identify opportunities for donor visits.
- Join calls with Ceres senior program and executive staff to take notes and assist with timely follow up.
- Coordinate preparation of briefing materials for meetings with foundation funders and prospects.
- Participate in the creation of the Institutional Development Team’s annual workplan, critical to Ceres’ growth.
- Assist with planning and logistics for Ceres hosting and participation at large-scale events.
- Other projects or tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience required.
- Minimum of two (2) years of full-time relevant experience required; foundation fundraising/development experience highly preferred.
- Strong writing and editing skills with demonstrated interest and aptitude in persuasive writing.
- Excellent organizational abilities; demonstrated capacity to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, take precise notes, and work well in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of standard development practices and techniques, proposal writing, and prospect research. Experience in writing grant proposals is a strong plus.
- Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively.
- Passion for climate change, environmental and/or sustainability issues.
- Demonstrated interest in environmental and sustainability issues, a plus.
- Comfortable working with different personalities and people.
- Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity.
- Proficient using database systems, word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and e-mail computer applications (Salesforce, Google Suite, and MS Office Suite).
- Willingness to travel as needed.
Compensation and Benefits
The hiring salary is $52,183 - $58,000 with competitive benefits. Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 90% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for commuter and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including a week-long winter break, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.
The hiring salary is $52,183 - $58,000 with competitive benefits. Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 90% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for commuter and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including a week-long winter break, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.
Ceres Culture
Everyone has a role to play in the movement towards a more just and sustainable world.
At Ceres, we are committed to intentionally and carefully curating, engaging, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We endeavor to create a supportive environment that sparks innovation, fosters respect, and allows Ceres employees, in all roles at all levels, to come together equally to be fulfilled, successful, and to thrive.
Ceres is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.
If you have questions related to the above statement or need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our ADA Coordinator at ADArequest@ceres.org. Please note, this email address is for ADA inquiries only.
To Apply
We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Please submit a resume and cover letter through our online application. Professional references may be requested during the selection process. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as Ceres is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
Everyone has a role to play in the movement towards a more just and sustainable world.
At Ceres, we are committed to intentionally and carefully curating, engaging, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We endeavor to create a supportive environment that sparks innovation, fosters respect, and allows Ceres employees, in all roles at all levels, to come together equally to be fulfilled, successful, and to thrive.
Ceres is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.
If you have questions related to the above statement or need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our ADA Coordinator at ADArequest@ceres.org. Please note, this email address is for ADA inquiries only.
To Apply
We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Please submit a resume and cover letter through our online application. Professional references may be requested during the selection process. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as Ceres is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.