The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and consortium of universities that manages and/or operates world-leading astronomical observatories—including the Hubble Space Telescope; James Webb Space Telescope; Vera C. Rubin Observatory; the Gemini Observatory; the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Observatory and many more—on behalf of the scientific community through our Centers: the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI); the NSF National Optical/Infrared Laboratory (NOIRLab), and the NSF National Solar Observatory (NSO). Our mission is to enable transformational research in astrophysics and to share the wonders of the universe with the public. AURA partners with federal agencies, universities, scientific institutions, and industry collaborators around the world to advance exploration, discovery, and education.
Position Summary
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is seeking a Director of Philanthropy to help create and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances discovery and innovation in astronomy and astrophysics. AURA has traditionally relied solely on federal funding and is now positioning itself to expand its philanthropic profile. This newly created position will be a key member of AURA’s leadership team.
The Director of Philanthropy, working with AURA’s leadership team, will build AURA’s fundraising capabilities by cultivating transformative partnerships and relationships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors to secure resources that support AURA’s Centers, programs, and initiatives. This role is critical to growing revenue in crucial areas that lack traditional government sponsors, to enable AURA to expand on its mission: “To provide innovative, open resources to enable discovery and excellence in research, to unify the astrophysics communities, and to promote public understanding of our universe and the benefits of scientific exploration.”
AURA’s approach is always to build partnerships, hence the Director of Philanthropy will be expected to forge positive relationships with external funders and with internal staff partners. Through donor-centric fundraising and servant-focused philanthropy, AURA’s Director of Philanthropy will be accountable for securing external funding for AURA’s programs and strategic initiatives. As this program matures, the expectation is significant positive return on AURA’s investment in philanthropy activities.
The Director of Philanthropy will be adept at building relationships and securing funding from grant-making institutions (foundations and government organizations outside AURA’s traditional government partners), and from corporate organizations. The Director of Philanthropy will guide AURA engagement with individual donors interested in supporting AURA’s mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with senior staff and programmatic leaders across the organization to define realistic funding strategies and compelling business cases for engaging external funders.
- Develop strategies and tactics for multi-year fundraising efforts through donor-centric fundraising and servant-focused philanthropy.
- Participate as an active and cooperative member of AURA’s senior staff, leveraging cross-Center opportunities to advance organizational goals.
- Develop annual budgets for AURA’s philanthropy functions in response to revenue goals developed with AURA’s leadership team, and manage the philanthropy program’s return on investment (ROI) expectations based on the approved budget.
- Supervise and manage use of AURA’s fundraising CRM.
- Engage regularly with the AURA Board of Directors and AURA’s Audit Committee.
- Once credible philanthropy goals are realized, work with AURA and Center leadership to build a small team, including planning and coordinating the work of philanthropy staff, supervision and evaluation, training, and team building.
Grant-Making Organizations
- Develop and manage a portfolio of foundations and other philanthropic institutions in support of AURA’s and its Centers’ agreed programmatic and revenue goals for the philanthropy program.
- Cultivate relationships with leaders at these organizations, and partners with senior staff across AURA to strengthen and expand these relationships.
- Conduct ongoing research and outreach to create a robust pipeline of grant opportunities.
- Create innovative funding proposals for grant-making institutions that speak to the unique value of AURA and its programs and initiatives.
- Support AURA programmatic leads on developing proposals for grant-making organizations.
Corporate Funders
- Work collaboratively across the organization to identify potential corporate funders. Co-develop and co-implement coordinated strategies for outreach and engagement of these prospects.
- Partner with AURA leadership to conceptualize and test value propositions for corporate funders, whether by packaging and positioning existing AURA programs or by developing new mechanisms for engagement.
- Partner with AURA leadership to cultivate relationships with executives at corporate partner organizations to maximize their engagement and financial contributions to AURA.
Individual Fundraising
- Supervise and evaluate all Philanthropy team activities related to individual giving, with a focus on increasing the rate of financial participation and bottom-line impact.
- Guide Philanthropy research and strategies, and implement a portfolio of individual donor programs, including year-round fundraising appeals, major gift program, donor cultivation, planned giving, and donor recognition efforts.
- Remain current on all legislation and ethical practices pertaining to fundraising.
- Analyze donor and donation data to identify opportunities and challenges, and adjust strategies based on these data to ensure budget and ROI goals are met.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience with focus on philanthropy, fundraising, and/or donor relations; 10+ years preferred
- Quantifiable, positive track record of raising funds through foundations, philanthropic organizations, corporate industry organizations, and high net worth individuals (including single family offices).
- Professional writing and speaking skills, including the ability to communicate easily and effectively with scientists and senior executives, funding partners, and staff team members.
- Quantifiable, positive record of personal and organizational achievement in generating revenue with bottom line impact. Experience of managing project-level budgets and operations.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Professional computer skills, including word processing and CRM management; familiarity with Virtuous is a plus
- Proven capabilities to motivate, supervise, and develop a small team to achieve consistent, quality results.
- Professional interpersonal skills, especially the ability to lead and engage volunteers and staff.
- Collaborative in nature, with listening and facilitation skills. Seeks opportunities to build effective teams, produce positive outcomes and to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to perform responsibilities with composure under tight deadlines, without sacrificing accuracy or quality of work produced.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Understand and embrace personal accountability while still working collaboratively in a matrixed organization.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Preferred
- Knowledge of the unique qualities of fundraising for a scientific organization.
- Previous experience working with and fundraising for science, technology, engineering or mathematics organizations, especially STEM professional societies, preferred.
- Familiarity with federal funding structures (e.g., NSF, NASA) and nonprofit compliance.
- Experience with US federal government grants desired.
- Comfortable working with scientists, engineers, and technical staff.
- Advanced degree in a relevant field is a plus.
- CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification is a plus.
Applications received by June 26, 2026 will receive full consideration.
Please ONLY use this link to apply: https://apply.workable.com/j/30BF306152 (https://apply.workable.com/j/30BF306152)
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Projected salary $90K.
- Relocation Assistance
- Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits.
- Flexible work arrangements and potential travel opportunities to AURA facilities.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
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