OVERVIEW

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is hiring a Strategic Partnerships Associate to help build the front end of our major donor pipeline, with an early focus on Florida and a secondary focus on other Eastern states.

This role is a great fit for someone energized by meeting new people, working a room, and turning early interest into real momentum. You’ll spot promising prospects, start conversations, build trust, and create qualified donor opportunities that grow into long-term support for FGA’s work. This is not primarily a gift-closing role—it’s about building the relationships that make major gifts possible.

You’ll work closely with the Development Team Lead and Major Gifts Officer to identify qualified prospects, initiate personalized outreach, conduct introductory meetings, and support smooth handoffs for further cultivation. This role also offers the opportunity to work closely with FGA’s founder, President, and CEO, Tarren Bragdon—a rare opportunity for someone looking to grow in fundraising, relationship-building, and policy entrepreneurship.

Candidates should expect frequent travel, especially to Florida, along with travel across the Eastern region for donor events and relationship-building. This is a full-time, remote role.

CULTURE AND FIT

The people who consistently succeed at FGA are those whose actions and behavior reflect our five Core Values. If you adhere to these values and answer “yes” to each of the following questions, you may be a fit.

1) Candid to Solve: Being willing to have tough conversations in order to solve issues and build trust.

• Do you seek out constructive feedback—and provide it to others—to solve issues and build trust with coworkers?

2) Grow or Die: We don’t have a neutral gear; we must consistently challenge ourselves and each other to grow in our talents and skills.

• Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and do you seek out complementary skills and growth in order to mitigate your weaknesses?

3) Politically Savvy: Policy doesn’t change in a vacuum, but in a political reality that we must understand and account for.

• Do you agree that embracing the realities of politics is necessary to change public policy?

4) Partnership-Oriented: Internal and external relationships are not transactional. That starts with our team members and the perspective that we need the rest of the team to succeed in order to win personally.

• Are you comfortable creating your own structure for work, such as setting work hours, your own priorities, and creating clarity and a work plan from a broad goal?

5) Bought in to Win: We’re at FGA because we want to change policy. No one is counting hours or widgets. We are here to get results, and sometimes that will require going the extra mile or doing a job that isn’t technically ours.

• Do you fully support FGA’s mission and believe that lives are improved through work, not welfare, and that free markets create more freedom and opportunity than government control?

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Strategic Partnerships Associate role includes four primary areas of responsibility:

1. Identify, Research, and Qualify Major Donor Prospects

• Develop and execute prospecting strategies, with an early focus on Florida and a secondary focus on other Eastern states.

• Source and evaluate prospects through referrals, events, inbound activity, mailings, digital outreach, and independent research.

• Gather and assess key background information, including giving history, capacity, interests, and alignment with FGA’s mission.

2. Execute Personalized Prospect Outreach

• Design and manage tailored outreach to qualified prospects, including individualized emails, letters, and follow-up communications.

• Follow up confidently and professionally, including semi-cold outreach when appropriate.

• Represent FGA well in one-to-one donor communications, using sound judgment, strong writing, and AI tools when helpful.

3. Conduct Introductory Meetings and Create Warm Handoffs

• Schedule and conduct introductory meetings with qualified prospects to introduce FGA, build rapport, and assess interest.

• Create warm handoffs to the Major Gifts Officer for continued cultivation and future ask strategy.

• Support continuity in the donor relationship by participating in follow-up or ask meetings when helpful.

4. Manage Prospect Pipeline and Follow-Through

• Maintain an organized and actionable prospect pipeline in Salesforce and Basecamp.

• Document interactions, track next steps, and ensure timely follow-up.

• Keep qualified prospects moving through the front end of the fundraising process with clear internal communication and coordination.

REQUIREMENTS

• 2–5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, business development, political relationship-building, or a similar external-facing role. Political or policy experience strongly preferred.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with confidence in follow-up outreach including semi-cold calls and post-event donor communication.

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.

• Comfortable using Salesforce, Basecamp, and AI tools in day-to-day work.

• Ability to travel regularly, especially to Florida.

• Alignment with FGA’s Core Values (described above).

TIMING, LOCATION, AND COMPENSATION

FGA is seeking to fill this position as soon as possible. While our headquarters are in Naples, FL, nearly all FGA staff work remotely. This role requires regular travel, particularly to Florida, along with additional travel to other key states as needed.

FGA has built a highly successful remote work culture with clear systems, strong communication, and a commitment to helping each team member excel. Key elements of the environment include:

• Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you’ll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with FGA’s big vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities.

• An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the FGA team, our policies, and how we operate.

• Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running.

FGA offers a competitive salary between $85,000–$110,000, depending on experience and qualifications, along with a benefits package that includes a six percent retirement match, health benefits, and generous paid leave.