Vice President of Philanthropy

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Philanthropy (VPP) is pivotal for driving the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement strategy. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team the VPP leads a strong, collaborative Development/Marketing/ Engagement team committed to excellence and partners with the CEO and Board to drive donor research, prospect strategy, and major gift initiatives that increase organizational impact. Meeting fundraising goals, exceeding stretch targets, and launching campaign activities are central to this role.

The VPP directly oversees, manages, and coordinates the day-to-day operations of the development team and collaborates across departments to cultivate a culture of philanthropy. Responsibilities include oversight and team management of individual, foundations, government and corporate fundraising portfolios, annual fund and endowment growth, major and planned gifts, capital campaign strategy, fundraising events, volunteer engagement, gift processing and data management. The VPP also guides the organization’s marketing and communications strategy to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.

Additionally, the VPP will lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, therefore the ideal candidate is a strong relationship builder, goal oriented, collaborative, and a professional who seeks to advance our shared priorities and goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Fund Raising:

Design and implement a comprehensive, result-oriented annual fundraising plan that includes major/planned gifts, annual appeals, special events, foundation and government grants, corporate sponsorships, planned giving and fundraising events, etc. 
Work closely with the Development Department team to appropriately assign prospects and projects. Oversee plan objectives and budget; implement and monitor plan throughout the year.
Establish, coordinate, and personally participate in major and planned gift solicitation and stewardship. Move prospects in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure of major gifts and/or planned gifts.
Create and maintain positive relationships with major gift donors, private and corporate foundations to secure grant awards.
Develop and sustain positive relationships with volunteers, donors, board members, foundation and corporate fund leaders and other key community stakeholders (business and civic) to promote agency philanthropic efforts.
Direct the effective use of the organization’s database and other development communication tools to ensure tracking of donor and prospect contacts.
Manage the Marketing & Fund Development Committee of the Board working alongside the committee chair.
Work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors to develop appropriate action plans and progress reports regarding the development department and the MFD Committee.
Prepare and submit the annual budget for all Development programs.
Develop a corporate giving campaign including recognition, case statement, and prospects. Maintain and increase the individual giving programs; create a consistent planned giving program.
Work with the appropriate partners/constituents in the development of proposals/grants.
Present the needs of the Agency to philanthropic organizations, individuals, corporations, sponsors, and other prospective donors for the current and capital costs of operating the Agency.
Oversee the development of and/or directly write and produce compelling institutional correspondence and donor communication pieces in support of fundraising activities.
Ensure compliance with all IRS rules governing charitable giving, disclosure, and reporting.

Leadership:

Recruit, train, direct, coach, motivate, develop, and monitor assigned team members.
Participate as a member of the Agency’s Executive Team, act as a staff executive lead for the Board’s Marketing and Fund Development Committee, attend Board of Director meetings, and other committee responsibilities as assigned.

Community Relations/Brand Marketing:

Lead a comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances the Agency’s mission and philanthropic goals across all channels—including digital, social, print, earned media, and community engagement—ensuring consistent brand voice, messaging, and visual identity.
Design and execute a formal annual communications plan grounded in data, audience insights, and best-practice brand management, leveraging multi-touchpoint campaigns to grow visibility, relevance, and community trust.
Promote community advocacy efforts for all the agency’s programs and services.
Develop relationships with media and sponsors to maintain a consistent presence in the media.
Partner with the Executive Team to create, maintain, and activate a crisis communications framework, ensuring timely, transparent, and mission-aligned messaging during critical events.

Acquired Knowledge:

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field. Certified Fund Raising Professional (CFRE) Certification or Master’s Preferred.
Requires a minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience as an accomplished fundraising professional with demonstrated success in achieving financial goals and performance standards through major and planned gifts using metrics and measurement tools.
Requires at least seven (7) years of management experience directing all aspects of a comprehensive Fund Development Department.
Experienced in writing, articulating, and implementing strategic Fund Development Plans, including all areas of fundraising, community relations and brand marketing.
An effective presence, along with highly developed public and interpersonal speaking skills, including the capacity to inspire and motivate staff, donors, prospects, board members and volunteers.
Demonstrated experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time (i.e., researching, cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts).
Strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to set priorities, manage simultaneous priorities and meet deadlines.
Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
Ability to work both independently, without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the agency.
Demonstrated success in organizing and effectively utilizing volunteer leadership (e.g., boards, committees) in effective foundation or fundraising practices.
Demonstrated success in organizing and effectively utilizing volunteer leadership (e.g., boards, committees) in effective foundation or fundraising practices.
Advanced knowledge and experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and donor database management.

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Vice President of Philanthropy