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Strategic Philanthropy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Key ResponsibilitiesCresset is seeking a Managing Director of Philanthropy to join its Family ... Grantmaking Strategy and ImpactHelp clients develop clear, values-aligned grantmaking strategies ...

Are you a strategic fundraising leader passionate about transforming lives through philanthropy? Join our compassionate, collaborative team as a Senior Director of Philanthropy and help advance a ...

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Strategic Philanthropy information

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$134.6K

$260K

How much do strategic philanthropy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for strategic philanthropy in the United States is $134,553.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,000.00 and $183,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is strategic philanthropy?

A Strategic Philanthropy job involves developing and managing charitable initiatives that align with an organization's values and goals. Professionals in this role work to maximize the impact of philanthropic efforts by researching causes, forming partnerships, and measuring outcomes. They often collaborate with nonprofits, corporations, and foundations to create sustainable social change. The role requires strategic planning, fundraising expertise, and a deep understanding of social issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in strategic philanthropy?

To thrive in Strategic Philanthropy, you need strong analytical abilities, expertise in philanthropic strategy, and experience with nonprofit or corporate social responsibility programs, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in business, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with grant management software, impact measurement tools, and certifications such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) can be highly beneficial. Outstanding interpersonal skills, adaptability, and persuasive communication are crucial for building partnerships and influencing stakeholders. These competencies are vital for effectively aligning philanthropic initiatives with organizational goals and maximizing social impact.

What are the typical challenges faced in a strategic philanthropy role and how can they be effectively managed?

Professionals in Strategic Philanthropy often encounter challenges such as balancing diverse stakeholder interests, measuring and demonstrating social impact, and adapting to evolving philanthropic trends. Navigating these requires strong problem-solving skills, clear communication with both internal teams and external partners, and a proactive approach to staying current with sector best practices. Successful practitioners stay agile by leveraging data-driven insights and fostering collaborative relationships with grantees and community organizations. Many organizations support continuous learning and professional development to help team members address these challenges and expand their expertise. By proactively managing these complexities, you can drive meaningful philanthropic outcomes and advance your career in the field.

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What cities are hiring for Strategic Philanthropy jobs?

Cities with the most Strategic Philanthropy job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Strategic Philanthropy jobs?

The most popular types of Strategic Philanthropy jobs are:

What states have the most Strategic Philanthropy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Strategic Philanthropy jobs include:

Infographic showing various Strategic Philanthropy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,553 per year, or $64.7 per hour.

Development Manager, Strategic Philanthropy

Foundation Fighting Blindness

Columbia, MD • On-site, Remote

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Development Manager, Strategic Philanthropy serves as a key partner to senior philanthropy leadership, supporting the development and advancement of a robust philanthropic pipeline. This role combines prospect research, donor intelligence, relationship management, CRM oversight, and donor engagement strategy to help identify, cultivate, and advance transformational giving opportunities. Working across domestic and international markets, the Development Manager helps deliver exceptional donor experiences and strengthens the organization's ability to build meaningful, long-term philanthropic partnerships.
Core Responsibilities include:Donor Intelligence, Qualification & Pipeline Development
  • Conduct research and due diligence to identify, assess, and qualify high-potential individual, foundation, and institutional philanthropic prospects.
  • Analyze philanthropic interests, giving history, capacity, and alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Develop prospect profiles, donor intelligence briefs, and engagement recommendations to support cultivation strategies.
  • Draft introductory and follow-up communications to support relationship-building and donor engagement efforts.
  • Prepare briefing materials, background research, and meeting preparation documents for philanthropy leadership.
  • Track prospect activity, engagement plans, and next steps within the CRM to maintain a healthy and actionable pipeline.
Strategic Philanthropy Execution
  • Support the advancement of strategic fundraising priorities through coordinated planning, execution, and follow-through.
  • Maintain an accurate philanthropic pipeline, ensuring opportunities are appropriately staged, documented, and progressed.
  • Develop dashboards, reports, and pipeline analyses to support fundraising strategy and leadership decision-making.
  • Prepare agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and meeting summaries; monitor progress on key action items.
  • Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to support philanthropic initiatives and donor engagement activities.
  • Partner with Marketing and Communications to develop donor-facing materials, presentations, and stewardship collateral.
Donor Engagement & Stewardship
  • Support cultivation and stewardship strategies for current and prospective donors.
  • Prepare donor intelligence and briefing materials for philanthropy leadership and frontline fundraisers.
  • Draft donor communications, acknowledgments, and stewardship touchpoints.
  • Ensure accurate documentation of donor interactions, commitments, and engagement activities within the CRM.
  • Support the delivery of personalized, high-quality experiences that strengthen donor relationships and long-term engagement.
Cultivation Events & Special Engagements
  • Coordinate high-touch donor cultivation and stewardship experiences in the U.S. and internationally.
  • Manage event logistics, guest strategy, invitation and RSVP tracking, vendor coordination, briefing packets, run-of-show planning, and post-event follow-up.
  • Support intimate donor gatherings and engagement opportunities designed to strengthen relationships with high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic partners.
  • Ensure excellence, consistency, and attention to detail across all donor-facing experiences.
Required Qualifications:
  • 4-7 years of experience in fundraising, philanthropy, donor relations, prospect development, advancement services, relationship management, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting prospect research, due diligence, and donor intelligence gathering.
  • Experience maintaining and managing donor or prospect information within a CRM platform (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Virtuous, Blackbaud, or similar systems).
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive briefings, donor communications, presentations, or reports.
  • Experience coordinating meetings, events, or engagement activities for senior leaders, donors, clients, or other external stakeholders.
  • High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential donor and organizational information.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in reporting, documentation, and follow-through.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with international fundraising or global philanthropic engagement.
  • Familiarity with ultra-high-net-worth donor strategy and venture philanthropy models.
  • Comfort operating in executive-facing, high-visibility settings.
  • Experience building dashboards, KPIs, or campaign reporting tools.
Position Specifics:
  • Location: This position is work from home-office: candidates must reside in MD, D.C., or VA.
  • Compensation: Budgeted starting salary range: $80,000- 90,000/yr, commensurate with experience and aligned with geographic market considerations and internal equity
  • Additional Compensation: Eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to 5%
  • Tools & support: HP or Mac laptop, monitor, printer, and $120 monthly technology stipend
  • Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, with flexibility; occasional evenings and weekends as required for planned events
  • Reporting relationship: Reports to the Chief of Philanthropy
  • People management: No direct reports