Skip to main content
Posted August 19, 2026

Foundation Relations Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring
Austin, Texas, United States 73301 Full-Time
Reference: 286566897

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.


Foundation Relations Specialist

US-TX-Austin

Job ID: 2026-7127
# of Openings: 1
Category: Community Engagement
Upbring

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve.  Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

 

  • We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
  • We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
  • We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

 

Your Mission in Action

The Foundation Relations Specialist builds and manages relationships with family, professional, and corporate foundations to secure funding for the Agency's programs. Responsibilities include identifying potential funders, developing fundraising strategies, submitting proposals, and managing foundation stewardship.  



Responsibilities

  • In collaboration with the Grants & Funding Opportunities Manager and the Vice President of Development Operations, work to plan, organize, and execute a comprehensive fundraising program to acquire funding from foundations and granting agencies to meet Agency and program fundraising goals and objectives 
  • Lead and direct the management of the foundation and granting entity portfolio to ensure effective cultivation and solicitation throughout the year, including regular communication and visits (either virtual or in-person) with foundation partners 
  • Research, identify, qualify, and write proposals to fund the Agency’s mission, existing programs, new programs, and program expansion; write proposals for both restricted and unrestricted funds for program operations and program expansion 
  • Develop a strategy of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for each existing, new, and prospective foundations 
  • Coordinate and attend foundation site visits and other cultivation or stewardship events and meetings; coordinate and participate in tours of program sites with existing or prospective foundation and granting entity donors 
  • Other duties and projects as assigned 


Qualifications



Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, Political Science, Journalism, or closely related field 
  • Three (3) years of experience in fundraising in non-profit or church settings 
  • Three (3) years of experience in roles that require strong written and verbal communication skills 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management or Public Administrations 
  • Five (5) years of experience in fundraising in non-profit or church settings 
  • Demonstrated experience in successfully obtaining foundation grants and maintaining foundation relationships 
  • Proficiency with relational database Raiser’s Edge 
  • Proficiency with utilizing Foundation Directory Online to conduct prospect research 

Travel

This position may be required to travel up to 20%

Perks at Upbring 

  • Competitive PTO & paid holidays
  • Health, dental, vision insurance & more 
  • 403(b) Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program 
  • Discounted Gym Memberships 
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
  • This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time 
  • Position can require visits to a child facility and will have exposure to children 
  • Position requires frequent standing, walking and occasional travel that requires hours of mobility 
  • Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs 
The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

 

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

 

 





Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI286566897

Sign up for Job Alerts