Summary
The Institutional Relations Senior Associate will work with the Manager of Institutional Partnerships and members of the executive team to steward institutional - foundations, corporations, public sector - funder relationships, identify and cultivate prospective partners, and lead on proposal development.
Mission and History of Root Capital
Root Capital serves agricultural businesses that connect smallholder farmers to world markets. When these businesses grow, they become engines of impact that transform their communities. They increase incomes, create jobs, preserve ecosystems, empower women and give young people the opportunity to lead. We are unconventional problem solvers. We are humanitarians and environmentalists, philanthropists and investors, farmers and feminists.
We provide capital, deliver financial training, and strengthen market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses. Since 1999, Root Capital has disbursed more than $1 billion in credit to 632 businesses, representing over 1.2 million smallholder farmers. Root Capital’s clients produce dozens of different agricultural products, from coffee, cocoa, and cashews, to staple grains, to wild-harvested products like natural gums and shea butter.
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital currently has associated offices in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, and Kenya.
Responsibilities
Institutional Relationship Management (50%)
- Manages $6+ million portfolio of existing and prospective funders that contribute to Root Capital’s fundraising goals and mission.
- Leads the development and implementation of cultivation strategies for new and existing funders, working in close collaboration with other relationship managers and executive team members as well as with program staff as appropriate.
- Produces compelling materials for funder meetings and correspondence.
- Tracks reporting and stewardship needs for current funding relationships through Salesforce.
Grant Proposal Development and Submission (30%)
- Leads proposal development process for new and renewal grants, including:
- Writing persuasive proposals and concept papers.
- Gathering necessary financial and programmatic data from relevant Root Capital program and operations teams.
- Writing, editing, proofing, and gathering supplemental materials.
- Packaging and submitting proposals.
- Delegating to other team members as needed.
- Maintains detailed record of proposal process and expected funding in Salesforce.
Grant Reporting (20%)
- Creates high-quality grant reports according to specifications of donor contracts, including:
- Gathering information on program implementation from other Root Capital teams in Cambridge and field offices.
- Extracting, manipulating, and analyzing data related to lending and advisory activities.
- Developing strategic messaging around Root Capital results, lessons learned, and forward-looking implications.
- Maintains familiarity with grant details and results
Required Skills and Experience
- Superior written and verbal communication skills. Ability to effectively deliver complex, technical ideas in a persuasive form.
- 3-5 years of work experience in external-facing fundraising, business, international development, nonprofit program or operations, or other related field. Public speaking experience is a plus.
- Entrepreneurial spirit and professional maturity; ability to work independently, think creatively, and know when to seek support.
- Bachelor’s degree in international development/politics, business, or other relevant discipline.
- Excellent attention to detail in writing and data quality
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and juggle multiple priorities.
- Collaborative work style and team ethic.
- Commitment to innovative solutions concerning the “missing middle”, particularly for small and growing rural/agricultural businesses in developing countries.
- Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
- Fluency in Spanish preferred.
Salary
Commensurate with experience.
Applications and Nominations
Please apply by using the form below. More information about Root Capital is available at www.rootcapital.org.
Root Capital does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Application Form