Vice President of Advancement & Charitable Gifts

About The Jewish Community Foundation Los Angeles 

At The Foundation, we serve as a trusted partner to individuals and families who seek to align their charitable giving with their values, maximize their philanthropic impact, and contribute meaningfully to the Jewish community and beyond. 

Our mission is to strengthen our community to better our world. We do that by empowering philanthropists with personalized counsel, strategic connections, and a full suite of giving solutions tailored to their goals.

Position Summary 

The Vice President of Advancement leads high-net-worth relationship management, fundraising, and donor stewardship. The ideal candidate has a successful record in major gift acquisition, managing affluent clients, building inclusive networks, and using data-driven CRM strategies for targeted donor engagement. Responsibilities include maintaining high retention rates, securing new donors with significant philanthropic potential, and partnering with senior leadership to adopt an impact-oriented approach. Passion for Jewish Los Angeles, Israel, and the broader community is essential. 

Key Responsibilities 

Fundraising, Donor Engagement, and Client Services

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of approximately 200 clients, donors, prospects, and referral sources.
• Advise clients on philanthropic strategies, including planned giving and complex assets.
• Oversee relationships from initial contact through advisory and legacy planning.
• Represent The Foundation at events; write and present on philanthropy and charitable planning.
• Connect clients and advisors to the Center for Designed Philanthropy and other services.

Professional Advisor Engagement

• Engage with ~100 key professional advisors.
• Educate advisors about The Foundation’s services and charitable planning options.
• Plan and implement educational events, including the “Professional Advisor Speaker Series” and other advisor-centric programming (4–7 events annually with ~500 attendees).
• Serve as a liaison between advisors and The Foundation’s legal/financial staff on complex gift transactions.

Leadership and Management

• Help shape the strategic direction of the Advancement Department, including systems, metrics, and operations.
• Partner with legal and marketing teams on complex asset gifts, collateral, and advertising.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in fundraising, advancement, or high-level client relationship management; planned giving or charitable gift planning experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years advising clients on charitable or financial strategies preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience in the Los Angeles Jewish community is strongly preferred.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or a similar CRM is preferred.

Core Competencies and Skills

• Proven success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and planned gifts.
• Experience in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and planned gifts.
• Interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Strategic thinking and project management skills.
• Verbal and written communication proficiency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor database systems.
• Ability to synthesize complex information, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Adaptability and creativity in a dynamic philanthropic environment.
• Commitment to integrity, discretion, and professionalism.