Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) relies on charitable contributions from individual and institutional donors to help support its programs and launch new initiatives. Development’s fundraising efforts include a $10+ million Annual Fund program, a planned giving program, foundation grants, major gifts, and various endowment programs.  

The Development Associate will work closely with the Council’s development team to support a wide range of fundraising activities including individual and institutional outreach, reporting, and cultivation. This role will coordinate a reporting process for 40+ grants annually, work with CFR fellows and program staff to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and demonstrate impact, provide support for prospect research and proposal development as needed, and cultivate collaborative working relationships between Development and Studies as well as with staff throughout the organization. The Development Associate will report to the Director, Major Gifts and Development Strategy. 

This full-time position is based in CFR’s New York office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. 

• Ensure timely and accurate grant reporting by maintaining the calendar of grant report deadlines, preparing internal documents such as grant summary memos for staff awareness of grant deliverables, and working with staff throughout the organization to ensure that submission and reporting deadlines and other requirements are met  

• Edit and finalize grant reports to foundations and individuals  

• Draft report cover notes and stewardship letters  

• Produce acknowledgment letters for institutional donors  

• Create briefing materials for CFR president, vice president and chief development officer, and program staff for meetings with donors and prospects  

• Conduct foundation and individual donor research and help strategize approaches as needed 

• Assist with the development of grant proposals and budgets as needed 

• Provide support for tracking, cultivating, and stewarding individual donors as needed, including working in-person events  

• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required   

Education 

• BA in international relations, non-profit management, or related field and interest in current foreign policy issues and/or fundraising  

Experience 

• Minimum one year of experience in fundraising, grant management, and prospect research 

Related Skills & Other Requirements 

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills 

• Exceptional interpersonal/communication skills and comfortable working with all levels of staff and management 

• Excellent research and analytical skills  

• Detail-oriented self-starter with strong organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines and handling several projects at once 

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team 

• Outstanding professional judgment, discretion, and demeanor  

• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and database management; Microsoft Dynamics database experience a plus  

• Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position. 

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $56,000 – $59,000, depending on experience. 
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.

The Council on Foreign Relations is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from a diverse background.