Grants & Donor Management Associate

Job Title: Grants & Donor Management Associate

Department: Donor & Grants Management

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Mumbai (Goregaon) | On-site

Employment Type: Full-time

Veruschka Foundation empowers persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PwIDDs) to become contributing members of society through the power of food. The organisation focuses on awareness to promote inclusion, life and market skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities through mainstream employment, micro-entrepreneurship and supported employment.

Website: https://theveruschkafoundation.org

As Veruschka Foundation enters a strategic phase of growth, the Grants & Donor Management Associate will play a key role in securing the resources needed to scale the organisation's impact. The role involves supporting end-to-end fundraising processes, identifying and converting new funding leads, stewarding donor relationships, and managing grant-related communication and reporting. The Associate will also contribute to the creation and management of high-quality fundraising collaterals and events.

● Identify and research potential donors including CSRs, HNIs, and family foundations.

● Initiate outreach through cold emails and calls, and coordinate introductory conversations to build a strong fundraising pipeline.

● Prepare for meetings with potential donors by developing tailored decks and proposals.

● Ensure timely and effective follow-ups with donors. Maintain high-quality interactions that build trust and increase the likelihood of donor conversions and retention.

● Design, maintain, and update core fundraising documents such as the organisational pitch deck, proposal templates, concept notes, donor FAQs, and case studies to ensure consistency and relevance. Work cross-functionally with internal team members, volunteers/ interns, and external consultants to ensure that all fundraising collaterals are up-to-date.

● Assist the CEO in building and nurturing long-term relationships with existing and potential donors. Ensure timely communication, acknowledgment, and high-quality reporting to enhance donor trust and retention.

● Ensure due diligence processes are completed on time. Collaborate with the CEO to nurture donor partnerships and encourage continued or increased contributions.

● Coordinate with the programmes team to collect data and insights for timely donor reports. Ensure sharing accurate and engaging documentation of impact in donor reports, and meeting all reporting deadlines and donor expectations.

● Support the planning and execution of fundraising-related events (for example, centre visits, community engagement sessions, marathons, etc).

● Design and execute donor-focused events and crowdfunding campaigns that raise awareness, build credibility, and engage potential supporters meaningfully.

● Bachelor's degree in any field (mandatory)

● 1–2 years (minimum), with at least 6 months in the social sector (via job, fellowship, or volunteering)

● Prior experience in Fundraising is preferred

● Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

● Fundraising aptitude with a proactive, goal-oriented approach

● Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

● Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Canva

● Ability to synthesise large amounts of information into clear, compelling content

● High attention to detail and Process-orientation

● Resilience and initiative in following up and securing funding leads

● Basic design and storytelling skills

● Strong sense of ownership and ability to work independently

● Resilient and not easily discouraged by setbacks

● Deadline-oriented with effective self-planning and follow-through

● Curious and open to learning, with a growth mindset

● People-centric, empathetic, and confident in external interactions

● Innovative and willing to explore new fundraising strategies and sources

The Grants & Donor Management Associatewill closely work with:

● Internal: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operation Officer, Programme Managers, Programme Officers, Programmes and Partnerships Lead, Volunteers/ Interns

● External: Donors (current and potential), Grant Writer (Consultant)

At Veruschka Foundation, we empower PwIDDs through a unique culinary-based model that blends disability advocacy, skill-building, and livelihood creation. As we grow, we offer our team:

● Mission-driven Work: Be part of a purpose-led organisation where your work directly contributes to social change

● Learning & Development: Opportunities to learn, problem-solve and make decisions to excel in your role

● Diverse Workforce: An inclusive, collaborative team culture with professionals from multiple sectors

● 360 Growth: A positive, supportive work environment with strong mentorship and guidance

● Downtime & Wellbeing: Thoughtfully planned time off to support rest and maintain a healthy work–life balance

● People-first Culture: Regular team bonding activities, an open-door policy and an emphasis on personal growth.