Director of Philanthropy

Location: Hybrid – NYC
Reports to: Founder & CEO (dotted line to COO)
Type: Full-time

Role Overview

The Director of Philanthropy owns the organization’s philanthropic strategy and portfolio—building a high-impact giving platform that aligns donors with priority causes and vetted partner organizations. This role partners closely with the Founder, COO, and senior leadership to shape initiatives, drive donor engagement, and convert relationships into durable philanthropic partnerships.

Core Responsibilities

• Own philanthropic strategy and portfolio in partnership with the Founder
• Define focus areas, fund strategies, and giving vehicles
• Build and maintain a rigorous framework for evaluating and selecting partner organizations
• Lead vetting and diligence on grantees and initiatives
• Serve as a senior point of contact for donors and philanthropic partners
• Support the Founder in cultivating and managing key donor relationships
• Identify alignment between donor interests and organizational priorities
• Facilitate introductions and partnerships among donors, portfolio organizations, and internal initiatives
• Lead development of philanthropic programming (salons, briefings, site visits, curated events)
• Oversee gift, pledge, and grant processes with finance and operations
• Ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and follow-through
• Support preparation of materials for Board and major stakeholder meetings
  
  

What Success Looks Like

• A clearly articulated philanthropic strategy and portfolio
• A trusted, repeatable pipeline of vetted partner organizations
• Strong donor alignment resulting in repeat engagement and sustained participation
  
  

Ideal Candidate

• Experience shaping philanthropic or impact strategies
• Comfortable engaging high-net-worth donors and nonprofit leaders
• Strong judgment and evaluative ability
• Thrives in fast-moving, founder-led environments
  
  

Experience

• 8+ years in philanthropy, impact investing, or nonprofit leadership

Experience evaluating organizations and managing philanthropic programs