Development Manager

FirstPrinciples is a non-profit organization focused on advancing scientific discovery through an autonomous AI Physicist. The Development Manager will be responsible for securing funding by building relationships with donors and managing the funding pipeline.

Responsibilities:

• Research and identify high-potential funding prospects including HNW/UHNW individuals, family offices, science foundations, and institutional donors
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects with clear stages and next steps
• Track all donor interactions, meetings, and progress in CRM systems (Salesforce & Asana)
• Execute outreach campaigns to engage new prospects and generate funding conversation
• Personally manage relationships with a portfolio of donors and institutional funders
• Conduct discovery meetings to understand donor interests and align them with FirstPrinciples' mission
• Schedule and facilitate donor meetings, product demos and engagement opportunities
• Develop tailored cultivation strategies for each prospect based on their interests and capacity
• Lead funding conversations from initial contact through commitment and closing
• Create compelling funding proposals and pitch materials customized to each prospect
• Structure and negotiate gift terms, agreements & commitments that align donor incentives with FirstPrinciples’ mission to accelerate scientific discovery
• Maintain ongoing stewardship relationships with donors post-commitment
• Develop impact reports showing how donor contributions directly accelerate specific scientific discoveries
• Research foundation and government funding opportunities aligned with FirstPrinciples' work
• Write and submit grant applications to foundations, research institutions, and government agencies
• Respond to requests for proposals (RFPs) and funding competitions
• Manage grant reporting requirements and funder communication
• Work closely with FirstPrinciples' leadership to communicate scientific progress and impact to funders
• Translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Collaborate with the team to create impact reports, donor updates, and presentation materials
• Support donor events, fundraising campaigns, and special initiatives as needed