Fundraising Lead

Role: Lead Institutional Partnerships

Location: Mumbai/Bangalore

Reporting to: Head Partnerships & Fundraising / CEO

Employment type: Full-time

Role Overview

The Fundraising Manager will lead the institutional fundraising strategy to secure long-term funding partnerships with CSR foundations, corporate donors, international agencies, HNIs, and philanthropic institutions. The role involves identifying opportunities, developing proposals, getting donor buy-in, and designing multi-year funding partnerships aligned with the organization's programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of CSR and philanthropic partnerships
• Identify funding opportunities, track the CSR landscape, and engage decision-makers
• Write compelling proposals, concept notes, grant applications, and donor pitches
• Lead fundraising presentations and represent the organization at donor meetings, forums, and conferences
• Collaborate with program, finance, and product/M&E teams for budgeting and proposal design
• Maintain donor CRM database and track revenue progress
• Support thought leadership, visibility campaigns, events, and partnerships

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Master's or other advanced degree in a related field (e.g., business, development, sports management)
• 10+ years of experience in fundraising, CSR partnerships, grant management, or corporate partnerships (preferably in the development sector)
• Strong understanding of the CSR ecosystem, SDGs, child & education development, and the sports for development sector
• Proven track record of achieving fundraising targets and onboarding large accounts
• Excellent communication, proposal writing, storytelling, and presentation skills
• Strong relationship-building skills with senior corporate and foundation stakeholders
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and drive outcomes
• Experience in (and flair for) using sales engagement / CRM processes, tools, and data-driven planning & forecasting

Personal Attributes

• Passion/enthusiasm for creating social impact through sports and education
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced and process-driven, growing organization
• High integrity, collaborative working style with a learning mindset
• Willingness to travel (up to 25%)