Foundation Director Jobs for OPT Students
Foundation Director roles sit at the intersection of nonprofit leadership and strategic fundraising, making them a strong fit for OPT students with backgrounds in nonprofit management, public administration, or business. Most positions require a relevant graduate degree and prior development experience, which aligns well with OPT's 12-month standard authorization window.
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Boston College Introduction
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.
Job Description
As we enter the third year of the public phase of Soaring Higher: the Campaign for Boston College, we invite you to join our community. Driven by our mission to advance the University for years to come, this $3B comprehensive campaign prioritizes Financial Aid, Academics, and Student Life.
Based on a fundamental Jesuit tenet of developing the whole person, University Advancement is large enough to benefit from many campus resources, yet small enough to be agile and creative in supporting all associates. With an average tenure of close to 10 years at Boston College, our 250-person centralized organizational structure offers a variety of roles across fundraising, alumni relations, operations, and communications and engagement. We invest in the professional growth of every staff member through individual and team-based programs. Likewise, we aim to attract the very best, seeking team members who are as ambitious and as committed to our team as we are. We value a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while actively promoting team members who contribute to the success of University Advancement.
See below the current opportunity to begin (or return to!) your Boston College experience!
The Assistant Director, C&F Communications & Proposal Development reports to the Sr. Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations and is responsible for introductory-level organizational fundraising focusing on two main objectives: project management for Corporate & Foundation Relations, as assigned by the Sr. Associate Director, and departmental writing and editing. Project-based development responsibilities include: meeting with faculty to gather and synthesize information on BC priority programs; identifying and managing a pool of organizational prospects with guidance from the Sr. Associate Director; preparing proposals, reports and other correspondence with prospects and donors; conducting meetings and site visits with prospects independently and in collaboration with Corporate & Foundation Relations colleagues. The Assistant Director, C&F Communications & Proposal Development also researches private foundations, prepares briefings and bios, and conducts prospect research projects for faculty and UA partners. Writing and editing responsibilities include: gathering information on identified funding priorities; developing proposals, letters of inquiry, and other fundraising and/or marketing documents; managing the CFR website; assisting with proposal development in collaboration with CFR colleagues; editing CFR documents; and, other writing duties as assigned when time permits.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The salary range for this position is listed below with the final salary based on various factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and internal equity considerations.
Full-Time Equivalent Hiring Range: $65,550 to $81,950; salary commensurate with relevant experience.
Requirements
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in writing, development, or directly related fields, with preference for experience in a university context involved in a capital campaign; a demonstrated ability to write expository prose clearly and effectively; demonstrated knowledge of fundraising principles and practices; strong interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, to interact successfully with University faculty, administrators, volunteers, and corporate and foundation prospects; knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite and, the ability to balance priorities to meet deadlines in a fast paced office environment.
Must be a team player who is highly motivated and dedicated to the goals of advancing higher education and have an appreciation for Jesuit Catholic education and the goals and values of Boston College.
The office of University Advancement supports the mission of Boston College by promoting a culture of inclusion that values each individual. Our recruiting practices support that commitment to build teams reflecting our community; students, alumni, parents and friends of Boston College.
Closing Statement
Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility:
- Tuition remission for Employees
- Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
- Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Low-Cost Life Insurance
- Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
- Paid Holidays Annually
- Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
- Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook
Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.

Boston College Introduction
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.
Job Description
As we enter the third year of the public phase of Soaring Higher: the Campaign for Boston College, we invite you to join our community. Driven by our mission to advance the University for years to come, this $3B comprehensive campaign prioritizes Financial Aid, Academics, and Student Life.
Based on a fundamental Jesuit tenet of developing the whole person, University Advancement is large enough to benefit from many campus resources, yet small enough to be agile and creative in supporting all associates. With an average tenure of close to 10 years at Boston College, our 250-person centralized organizational structure offers a variety of roles across fundraising, alumni relations, operations, and communications and engagement. We invest in the professional growth of every staff member through individual and team-based programs. Likewise, we aim to attract the very best, seeking team members who are as ambitious and as committed to our team as we are. We value a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while actively promoting team members who contribute to the success of University Advancement.
See below the current opportunity to begin (or return to!) your Boston College experience!
The Assistant Director, C&F Communications & Proposal Development reports to the Sr. Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations and is responsible for introductory-level organizational fundraising focusing on two main objectives: project management for Corporate & Foundation Relations, as assigned by the Sr. Associate Director, and departmental writing and editing. Project-based development responsibilities include: meeting with faculty to gather and synthesize information on BC priority programs; identifying and managing a pool of organizational prospects with guidance from the Sr. Associate Director; preparing proposals, reports and other correspondence with prospects and donors; conducting meetings and site visits with prospects independently and in collaboration with Corporate & Foundation Relations colleagues. The Assistant Director, C&F Communications & Proposal Development also researches private foundations, prepares briefings and bios, and conducts prospect research projects for faculty and UA partners. Writing and editing responsibilities include: gathering information on identified funding priorities; developing proposals, letters of inquiry, and other fundraising and/or marketing documents; managing the CFR website; assisting with proposal development in collaboration with CFR colleagues; editing CFR documents; and, other writing duties as assigned when time permits.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The salary range for this position is listed below with the final salary based on various factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and internal equity considerations.
Full-Time Equivalent Hiring Range: $65,550 to $81,950; salary commensurate with relevant experience.
Requirements
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in writing, development, or directly related fields, with preference for experience in a university context involved in a capital campaign; a demonstrated ability to write expository prose clearly and effectively; demonstrated knowledge of fundraising principles and practices; strong interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, to interact successfully with University faculty, administrators, volunteers, and corporate and foundation prospects; knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite and, the ability to balance priorities to meet deadlines in a fast paced office environment.
Must be a team player who is highly motivated and dedicated to the goals of advancing higher education and have an appreciation for Jesuit Catholic education and the goals and values of Boston College.
The office of University Advancement supports the mission of Boston College by promoting a culture of inclusion that values each individual. Our recruiting practices support that commitment to build teams reflecting our community; students, alumni, parents and friends of Boston College.
Closing Statement
Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility:
- Tuition remission for Employees
- Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
- Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Low-Cost Life Insurance
- Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
- Paid Holidays Annually
- Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
- Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook
Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Foundation Director
Target nonprofits with established HR infrastructure
Large foundations and university-affiliated nonprofits are more likely to have immigration counsel on staff and experience sponsoring work visas after OPT. Smaller family foundations rarely have the infrastructure to navigate H-1B sponsorship, so prioritize organizations with 50 or more employees.
Apply early in your OPT window
Foundation Director roles often have multi-round hiring processes lasting two to three months. Starting your search at least four months before your OPT expires gives you enough runway to complete interviews, negotiate an offer, and begin any H-1B sponsorship paperwork without a gap in authorization.
Frame your international background as a fundraising asset
Many foundations prioritize global giving, international programs, or cross-cultural community engagement. Your international perspective and language skills are genuine differentiators in these contexts. Emphasize them explicitly in cover letters and interviews rather than treating them as incidental background.
Pursue STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
If your degree in data analytics, information systems, or a related STEM field supports this role, a 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you significantly more time to secure H-1B sponsorship. Confirm eligibility with your DSO early, as the extension must be filed before your standard OPT expires.
Highlight measurable fundraising outcomes in your resume
Foundation Director candidates are evaluated heavily on revenue generation and donor retention results. Quantify your past impact clearly, such as grant portfolios managed or donor campaigns led. Concrete numbers signal readiness for the role and reduce employer hesitation about sponsorship investment.
Ask about sponsorship intent before final interview rounds
Raise the sponsorship question after an initial offer of interest but before final rounds. Framing it as practical planning, not a demand, avoids awkwardness. If the organization cannot commit to H-1B sponsorship, knowing early protects your time and lets you refocus on employers who can.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Foundation Director role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Foundation Director positions generally qualify as specialty occupations when they require at least a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business, or a related field. The role must require that specific degree, not just any degree. Positions where the employer accepts any educational background are harder to sponsor, so targeting roles with explicit degree requirements in your field strengthens the H-1B case significantly.
Can I work as a Foundation Director on OPT without employer sponsorship right away?
Yes. OPT authorizes full-time employment in your field of study without requiring the employer to file anything on your behalf, unlike H-1B. You can start working as a Foundation Director as soon as your OPT EAD card is valid and the role is related to your degree. Sponsorship only becomes relevant when you need to extend your authorization beyond the OPT period.
How do I find Foundation Director jobs open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards don't filter for visa-friendly employers, which wastes time during a period when your authorization window is limited. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Foundation Director roles from employers with a demonstrated history of sponsoring international employees. Searching there gives you a much faster path to relevant opportunities than filtering through listings on platforms not designed for your situation.
What happens to my OPT status if a Foundation Director contract role ends unexpectedly?
You're allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT, and up to 150 days if you have a STEM extension. If a contract ends early, that unemployment period begins immediately, so it's important to restart your search quickly. Notify your DSO and document your job search activity. Consistent records of applications and outreach can matter if your status is ever reviewed.
Is a master's degree required to qualify for Foundation Director roles on OPT?
Not universally, but most competitive Foundation Director positions expect a master's degree in nonprofit management, public policy, social work, or a related discipline, plus several years of development experience. A bachelor's degree alone may qualify you for associate or junior director titles. Pursuing this role directly after an undergraduate OPT period is possible but uncommon, and employers will scrutinize your experience level more closely.
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