The Foundation for American Innovation champions the technology, talent, and ideas essential to American prosperity, security, and flourishing. We are builders, hackers, and scholars advancing an optimistic vision of the future—aligning technology with human ends to forge a more perfect union between innovation and the American republic.
To support this mission, FAI is seeking a Development Manager to join the team.
Reporting to the Vice President of Growth, this person will support the Energy & Infrastructure Team’s fundraising and partnership efforts by managing the full lifecycle of energy grants and corporate sponsorships. This role sits at the intersection of policy and growth, working closely with the Director of Energy & Infrastructure Policy, the team Program Manager, and the Vice President of Growth to translate the team’s policy impact into compelling funding opportunities.
FAI’s Energy & Infrastructure work focuses on advancing policies that enable energy abundance, including permitting reform, investment into critical industries, and strengthening American energy competitiveness. The Development Manager will play a key role in ensuring this work is sustained and scaled through strategic philanthropic and corporate support.
Reporting Structure
- Primary Reporting: Vice President of Growth
- Dotted-Line Reporting: Director of Energy & Infrastructure Policy
This dual reporting structure ensures alignment between fundraising strategy and programmatic priorities, enabling the Development Manager to both identify new funding opportunities and accurately represent the team’s policy work and impact.
Key Responsibilities
Prospect Research & Pipeline Development
- Identify and evaluate prospective private foundations and corporate partners aligned with energy and infrastructure priorities
- Build and maintain a strategic funding pipeline, tracking opportunities, deadlines, and alignment with programmatic goals
- Coordinate closely with policy staff to match funding opportunities with priority initiatives
Proposal Development & Submission
- Draft and manage high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and sponsorship materials
- Translate complex policy research and legislative engagement into clear, compelling narratives for funders
- Collaborate with researchers and leadership to ensure proposals accurately reflect FAI’s work and strategic priorities
- Ensure timely submission of all materials in accordance with funder requirements
Grant Reporting & Stewardship
- Prepare timely, accurate, and engaging reports that demonstrate outcomes and policy impact
- Track and manage reporting deadlines and compliance requirements
- Support funder stewardship through tailored communications, updates, and relationship management
- Contribute to broader donor engagement efforts, including events and briefings
Database & Development Operations
- Maintain accurate records in FAI’s CRM, including proposals, funder interactions, and reporting schedules
- Track fundraising performance and generate insights to inform strategy
- Support coordination across teams to ensure consistency in messaging and data integrity
Qualifications
- 4-5 years of experience in development, grant writing, policy, or a related field
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, particularly the ability to translate technical or policy content into persuasive narratives
- Strong research and analytical skills, with attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with CRM systems and grants management tools (preferred)
- Ability to build deep literacy in FAI energy scholars’ areas of focus
- Interest in energy, infrastructure, and public policy
Strategic Value of the Role
FAI’s funding model is heavily driven by philanthropic foundations and industry partnerships, which together represent the majority of organizational support. As the Energy & Infrastructure Team continues to expand its policy influence this role is essential to:
- Scaling revenue to match programmatic growth
- Strengthening relationships with mission-aligned funders
- Ensuring consistent, high-quality storytelling around policy impact
- Enabling senior staff to focus on research, policy engagement, and coalition-building
Impact
The Development Manager will directly contribute to advancing policies that strengthen U.S. energy capacity, industrial competitiveness, and infrastructure development. By securing and stewarding critical funding, this role helps ensure that FAI can continue to shape high-impact policy outcomes and convene key stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society.
Benefits and Perks
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) match up to 6%
- $1,000 annual book credit
- Monthly commuter benefit
- Unlimited vacation policy
- Dynamic work schedule in a hybrid office environment in Washington, DC, with free snacks & drinks.
- The projected salary range for this role is $130,000–$140,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
To apply, please fill out this form.
FAI is an equal-opportunity employer. We review applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, uniformed services, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
