Third Plateau is built on a simple premise: creating lasting social good requires more than good intentions. Society’s most complex challenges are deeply rooted, interconnected, and resistant to quick fixes.
Philanthropists, foundations, and nonprofit leaders know this and are up for the challenge, bringing their passions and ambitions day in and day out. To realize that potential, they’re looking for a partner who brings the experience to design great strategies and the capacity to see them through. Third Plateau was built exactly for this work. Interested applicants are encouraged to learn more about our approach and our company values.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As part of its portfolio of democracy-focused projects, Third Plateau manages a pooled fund that invests in protection infrastructure for pro-democracy civil society organizations and actors from across the ideological spectrum. Since its establishment in 2024, the fund has regranted over $20 million in this space. The fund now seeks a Development Manager to support the next phase of its growth, as annual fundraising targets continue to expand significantly over the coming years.
The Development Manager will play an important role in fundraising toward our budgetary goals. As Development Manager, you will research, identify, and help cultivate donors. Your job will include a range of responsibilities, including supporting the fund’s Director to identify and connect with high-potential prospective funders, shaping development systems and policies, contributing to grant proposals and reports, and project managing across development activity streams. Along with these duties, you will help develop our longer-term development strategy.
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategy & Leadership
- Support the Fund Director to iterate on and implement an individual and foundation development strategy that enables the Fund to realize its mission.
- Project manage the activities of the Fund team and partners who hold donor relationships and are responsible for fundraising activities.
- Support the Fund Director to report to and engage the Fund's committees around fundraising/development progress.
- Delegate or partner effectively with the Fund's Development and Grants Associate to accomplish development responsibilities.
Donor Pipeline & Relationship Management
- Hold donor relationships with small-to-mid-level donors, leading cultivation and stewardship activities as appropriate.
- Manage day-to-day donor pipeline activities: identification, engagement, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of current and prospective donors.
- Support the Fund's ongoing communications with current and potential funders.
- Accompany the Fund Director to fundraising meetings as requested
Prospect Research & Meeting Preparation
- Conduct prospect research and maintain an active prospect list.
- Prepare detailed meeting briefs and prospect profiles for the Fund team in advance of donor meetings.
Grant Writing & Fundraising Materials
- In partnership with the Fund’s Associate and Director, write, edit, and submit grant proposals and reports.
- Ensure that the Fund's fundraising materials, grant proposals and reports, including relevant financial statements, are prepared and delivered to funders in a timely manner.
- Create and maintain fundraising materials.
Operations & Administration
- Manage the Fund's development calendar, including proposal and report deadlines.
- Manage the Fund's donor database/s, including ensuring all records are accurate and improving functionality as needed.
- In partnership with the Fund's fiscal sponsor team and Associate, track donations, manage donor follow up as needed, and ensure that acknowledgements are sent.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 7-9 years of relevant nonprofit/fundraising experience and a bachelor's degree (or similar experience).
- Experience as part of a development team raising money from charitable foundations and/or individual donors.
- Proven project management skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Highly proficient web research skills.
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple and inflexible deadlines.
- Ability to lead and work across multiple projects simultaneously with high-quality results.
- Previous donor management experience.
- Professional and personable demeanor (will be interacting with current and potential donors).
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Airtable or other CRM platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous grant writing and fundraising experience.
- Familiarity with budgets and nonprofit finance.
- Experience with donor management software/platforms.
- Experience in and knowledge of nonprofit work related to strengthening U.S. democracy and/or civil society protection.
Other open roles at Third Plateau(2)
Third Plateau is an impact consultancy partnering with philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities to build the infrastructure of change.
Key team members

Emily Cohen Raskin
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