Application Guide

How to Apply for Institutional Giving Manager

at California Ocean Science Trust

🏢 About California Ocean Science Trust

The California Ocean Science Trust (OST) is a unique non-profit that bridges the gap between cutting-edge ocean science and real-world policy decisions for California's coast and ocean. As a small, nimble organization, OST works at the intersection of science, management, and policy, often serving as a trusted broker between researchers, government agencies, and funders. This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven team that is growing its philanthropic capacity and expanding its role as a funder in the ocean science community.

About This Role

As the Institutional Giving Manager, you will be the driving force behind OST's fundraising from foundations and corporations, with a primary focus on prospecting new funders and building a robust grant pipeline. Unlike a traditional grant writer, you will be a peer to funders' program staff, collaborating with OST leadership to cultivate relationships and secure investments that support both OST's internal capacity and its external grantmaking. This part-time, remote role is perfect for a strategic, self-motivated fundraiser who wants to shape the future of ocean science philanthropy in California.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching potential foundation funders, drafting a concept note for a new corporate sponsor, and meeting with OST program staff to discuss a proposal budget. You might also have a call with a program officer at a foundation to explore a funding opportunity, and then update the grant pipeline forecast in your CRM. Because the role is part-time and remote, you'll need to be organized and proactive, balancing independent prospecting with collaborative meetings.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who California Ocean Science Trust Is Looking For

  • Proven track record in institutional fundraising (foundations and corporations), with specific experience in prospecting, cultivating, and securing five- and six-figure grants.
  • Deep understanding of the ocean science, marine STEM, or environmental policy fields, and the ability to speak credibly with program officers and corporate partners about scientific priorities.
  • Experience building and managing corporate sponsorship programs, including developing packages and securing partners.
  • Strong collaborative skills and comfort working with finance and program staff to develop proposal budgets, forecast revenue, and manage the full grant lifecycle.
  • Self-directed and entrepreneurial, able to thrive in a remote, part-time setting while proactively driving the fundraising strategy.

📝 Tips for Applying to California Ocean Science Trust

1

Highlight specific examples of foundation and corporate funders you have prospected and secured, especially those in ocean science, marine STEM, or workforce development. Quantify the results (e.g., 'secured $500K from a new foundation partner').

2

Emphasize your ability to work as a peer with funders' program staff. Show that you understand how to build relationships, not just write proposals.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with California's ocean science and policy landscape, including key agencies, research institutions, and funders. Mention any experience with California-based funders or ocean initiatives.

4

Address the part-time, remote nature of the role head-on. Explain how you manage your time, stay connected to a team, and maintain productivity in a remote environment.

5

If you have experience with corporate sponsorship programs, describe how you developed packages, pitched to companies, and secured sponsorships. This is a key differentiator for this role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience in prospecting and securing new foundation and corporate funders, with concrete examples of grants you've won and relationships you've built.", "Your understanding of the ocean science and policy ecosystem, particularly in California, and why you are passionate about OST's mission to bridge science and policy.", 'Your ability to collaborate with program and finance staff to develop budgets and forecasts, and to manage the full grant lifecycle from inquiry to renewal.', "Your experience building or managing a corporate sponsorship program, and how you would approach growing OST's corporate partnerships."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore OST's website, annual reports, and recent projects to understand their mission, strategic priorities, and current funding sources. Pay attention to their role as a funder and their focus areas like marine STEM and workforce development.
  • → Research the California ocean science funding landscape: key foundations (e.g., Packard Foundation, Moore Foundation), corporate funders (e.g., Patagonia, North Face), and government initiatives that support ocean science.
  • → Learn about OST's key partners and stakeholders, such as the California Ocean Protection Council, California Natural Resources Agency, and academic institutions like Scripps and UC Santa Barbara.
  • → Understand the concept of 'bridging science and policy' and how OST fits into the broader ocean conservation and management community in California.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach prospecting new foundation and corporate funders for OST, given its niche focus on ocean science and policy?
2 Describe a time you successfully secured a major grant from a new funder. What was your strategy, and how did you build the relationship?
3 How would you work with OST's program staff to identify funding opportunities and develop compelling proposals that align with both funder priorities and OST's mission?
4 What experience do you have with corporate sponsorship programs? How would you design a sponsorship package for OST?
5 How would you forecast grant revenue and manage the grant pipeline to ensure steady funding for OST's work?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Treating this as a classic grant-writing role and focusing only on writing skills. OST explicitly states this is not a grant-writer role; they want a prospector and relationship builder.
  • Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of ocean science or California ocean policy. Generic fundraising experience without sector context will not stand out.
  • Ignoring the part-time, remote nature of the role. Candidates who don't address how they will manage the schedule and stay engaged with a remote team may be seen as a poor fit.
  • Not providing concrete examples of successful prospecting and securing new funders. This role is all about bringing in new funding, so evidence of past success is critical.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to California Ocean Science Trust!

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