Who We Are

The Water Project unlocks human potential by building and connecting global networks of local leaders, communities of generous supporters, and an informed public to provide sustainable water and sanitation programs to needlessly suffering communities in developing countries. We are committed to bringing people together to solve the problem of finding clean water. Whether it's our local teams in the field, our international staff, our donors and fundraisers, or the communities we serve - we believe that people are the greatest solution to the water crisis.

At The Water Project, we prioritize the well-being of our team. We provide competitive salaries and excellent benefits, which include fully covered medical/dental/vision insurance, a 410(k) match, and a generous vacation policy (ask anyone!).

What The Role Is

As the Director of Philanthropy at The Water Project, you’ll lead and directly contribute within a relational major gifts fundraising team in cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and growing sustainable revenue from individuals, foundations, and corporate/brand funders to create a world where everyone has lasting, safe drinking water. The Director of Philanthropy (together with the Director of Marketing) is responsible for The Water Project's revenue performance.

The Director of Philanthropy is a full-time, senior-level position at The Water Project, reporting directly to the CEO. You can be located anywhere in the US.

Your responsibilities will include:

Major Gift Solicitation: Personally engage in major gift fundraising, cultivating and maintaining relationships with high-level donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Lead by example in securing major gifts to support The Water Project programs.
Prospect New Donors: Utilize your experience and network to identify and research potential high-level donors, foundations, and corporate partners; build a focused and effective prospecting culture within the Philanthropy Team.
Strategic Partnerships: Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with potential donors, corporate entities, and philanthropic organizations to expand the organization's network and funding opportunities.
Lead Philanthropy Team: Provide strong player/coach leadership, guidance, and accountability to the Major Gifts/Philanthropy Team and offer consultation to Marketing/Communications teams. Foster a collaborative and high-performing culture across the entire Revenue Department.
Diversification of Revenue Channels: Identify and develop new revenue streams and opportunities for growth, including individual donations, major gifts, corporate/brand partnerships, legacy gifts, institutional grants, and events.
Proposal Development and Grant Submissions: Analyze grant guidelines and develop customized grant proposals tailored to prospective funders' specific requirements and preferences. Strong proficiency in grant/proposal writing with a track record of securing funding.
Major Gifts Strategy and Execution: Develop and implement comprehensive Philanthropy strategies aligned with the organization's mission and strategic objectives. Drive innovative, cohesive, results-oriented fundraising efforts to maximize revenue and support our critical programs and initiatives.
Fundraising Performance Analysis: Oversee and analyze the effectiveness of all fundraising channels, utilizing data-driven insights to optimize fundraising efforts, enhance donor engagement, drive continuous improvement, and identify trends, donor behavior, and opportunities for revenue growth.
Financial Management: Develop and manage revenue-related budgets. Ensure financial accountability and responsible resource allocation to achieve revenue goals. Collaborate with the finance team to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial models related to revenue generation activities. Monitor financial performance against budget and ensure alignment with revenue targets.
Donor Stewardship: Strengthen effective donor stewardship practices to maintain strong relationships with existing donors, fostering appreciation and commitment to the organization's mission.
Stay Informed about Fundraising Trends:

This position will likely require a minimum of 10-15% domestic and international travel to cultivate and grow donor relationships, engage with remote team members, and attend regularly scheduled all-staff gatherings.

Estimated breakdown of responsibilities:

50% individual fundraising (portfolio made of current givers and self-identified prospects)
30% coaching, mentoring, and leadership of Philanthropy Team members
20% strategic planning, reporting, and departmental/cross-departmental leadership

Who You Are

Your qualifications must include:

Minimum of 7 years of experience in individual contributor, nonprofit major gifts fundraising, with at least 4 years in leadership roles focused on revenue generation.
Proven track record of success in major gift solicitation, corporate partnerships, institutional giving, and fundraising strategy development, consistently meeting and exceeding ambitious revenue targets.
Demonstrated experience leading, working within, and inspiring diverse revenue teams, driving results through collaboration and effective communication.
Strong understanding of fundraising best practices, donor relationship management, and current trends in philanthropy.
Exceptional strategic planning and financial management skills, with the ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions.
Outstanding networking and relationship-building abilities, with a natural talent for representing the organization effectively to diverse stakeholders.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.
Passion for global health and clean water access and a deep commitment to The Water Project's mission and values.
Demonstrated cross-cultural and international travel experience.

The Water Project jobs

The Water Project