National Director of Institutional Donors

National Director of Institutional Donors

Reading Partners is changing the education landscape. We are a leader in working to solve the literacy crisis in our country by leveraging community volunteers in under-resourced schools. Our diverse and expansive volunteer base provides one-on-one tutoring to students twice weekly, and our program is proven to help children master the reading fundamentals they need to unlock their potential as successful, happy, and confident readers in school and in life. Our people are our heartbeat and our greatest resource; we are all passionately rallied around our mission to help children become lifelong learners by empowering communities to provide individualized instruction that truly works. Join our stellar, committed team leading the charge to deepen our impact and expand our service. Watch this video to learn more about the mission and core tutoring work of Reading Partners.

The high level:

The National Director of Institutional Donors is a senior leader on Reading Partners’ National Development team, responsible for driving and significantly growing institutional philanthropy efforts at the national level. This role is charged with building and executing a strategic vision for institutional giving—primarily national foundations and federal government opportunities—with an eye toward transformational partnerships that accelerate Reading Partners' impact.

The Director will serve as the organization’s leading strategist and relationship owner for national foundation donors, cultivating a portfolio of high-level funders through sophisticated engagement, vision alignment, and stewardship. They will partner closely with the Chief Growth Officer (CGO) and CEO to raise $3.5M in FY26, with an ambitious multi-year growth trajectory.

This leader will also oversee national government funding, ensure compliance with federal grants, and manage a high-performing team of grant writers. Their work is central to ensuring the long-term sustainability and expansion of Reading Partners’ mission through bold, equity-centered philanthropy.

Location: This position is remote but requires candidates to reside within one of Reading Partners’ operating locations. Reading Partners locations include Baltimore, MD, Charleston, SC, Denver, CO, Los Angeles, CA, New York City, NY, North Texas (Dallas and Fort Worth), San Francisco Bay Area, CA, Seattle, WA, Twin Cities, MN, Tulsa, OK, and Washington, D.C.

What you’ll do:

Strategic Portfolio Leadership: National Foundation Funders

• Lead the strategy and execution of the national foundation fundraising portfolio, with ownership over a growing pipeline of six- and seven-figure funders.

• Serve as the primary relationship manager and solicitor for national foundation partners contributing up to $500,000, while co-strategizing with the CGO and CEO on top-tier prospects.

• Architect tailored cultivation and stewardship strategies that deepen donor engagement and position Reading Partners as a best-in-class social impact investment.

• Drive prospecting efforts with a lens toward aligned, long-term partnerships—applying insights from funding trends, philanthropic shifts, and giving practices through a REDI (racial equity, diversity, and inclusion) perspective.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to create high-impact proposals, materials, and reporting that elevate the organization’s visibility and case for support.

Federal Government Funding & Compliance

• Lead the execution of Reading Partners' federal grant strategy and compliance, including stewarding the spend-down and reporting for an $8.8M Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant.

• Identify, assess, and p