Director of Global Philanthropy

Organization Description

Vital Voices Global Partnership is a leading international non-profit organization. We invest in women leaders who are tackling the world’s greatest challenges – from gender-based violence to the climate crisis, economic inequities, and more. We are “venture catalysts,” identifying leaders with a daring vision for change and partnering with them to make that vision a reality. What sets Vital Voices apart is that we make long-term, holistic investments in leaders with bold ideas for change — providing them connections, capacity, a network of their peers, financial support, and visibility for their work. We have provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Laureates, US Youth Poet Laureates, Prime Ministers, award winning innovators and breakthrough social entrepreneurs. Over the past 27 years, we have directly invested in more than 47,000 change-makers across 188 countries, who in turn have improved the lives of millions of people in their communities and countries.

Vital Voices’ staff is headquartered in Washington, DC. In the coming years we have a bold vision to dramatically scale our impact. In early 2022, we opened the first ever Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership, a 30,000+ sq. ft. historic building just blocks from the White House on 16th Street. It is a hub of activity, events, and collaborations — bringing together women leaders and their allies to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.

Mission

Vital Voices invests in women leaders taking on the world’s greatest challenges and accelerates collective action towards an equitable and sustainable world.

Summary

The Director of Global Philanthropy is a senior member of the External Relations team responsible for advancing Vital Voices’ philanthropic growth through strategic donor engagement, major gifts, and global fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Chief External Relations Officer, this role will lead the development and execution of strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward significant philanthropic investments from individuals, family foundations, and aligned philanthropic partners. The Director will manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects while building a robust pipeline of philanthropic opportunities that support Vital Voices’ mission, programs, and long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, relationship-focused fundraiser with demonstrated success securing major gifts, managing complex donor relationships, and developing philanthropic partnerships. This position is based in Washington, DC with the option of a hybrid work schedule. We are not accepting remote candidates.

Role Specifications:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Global Philanthropy Strategy and Fundraising Growth

Develop and execute a comprehensive global philanthropy strategy to increase philanthropic investment in Vital Voices’ mission and strategic priorities.

Build and manage a qualified portfolio of major gift prospects, donors, family foundations, and philanthropic partners.

Identify opportunities to secure significant unrestricted, restricted, and multi-year commitments.

Develop fundraising strategies that align donor interests with Vital Voices programs, initiatives, and global impact.

Establish fundraising goals, pipeline strategies, and performance metrics to support revenue growth.

Partner with leadership to identify new philanthropic opportunities and strengthen donor engagement.

Monitor trends in philanthropy, global giving, and donor priorities to inform fundraising strategies.

Major Gifts, Philanthropic Partnerships & Engagement

Manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, philanthropic partners, and strategic funding partners through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Identify opportunities to expand Vital Voices’ network of supporters.

Build authentic, long-term relationships by connecting donors to Vital Voices’ mission, leaders, and impact.

Develop personalized donor engagement plans based on interests, giving capacity, and relationship goals.

Partner with Communications and Events teams to develop donor experiences, salons, briefings, and engagement opportunities.

Support high-level donor events, convenings, and global gatherings that strengthen relationships and philanthropic investment.

Lead donor meetings, briefings, impact conversations, and solicitation strategies.

Prepare compelling proposals, donor communications, presentations, briefing materials, and stewardship reports.

Partner with Executive Leadership and Board members on donor engagement and major gift strategies.

Create opportunities for donors to engage directly with Vital Voices leaders, programs, and global network members.

Donor Stewardship and Fundraising Operations

Partner with internal teams to gather programmatic insights, stories, and outcomes that communicate organizational impact.

Ensure timely and meaningful donor communications, updates, reports, and recognition opportunities.

Support donor retention and increased giving strategies.

Maintain accurate donor information, relationship notes, and engagement activity within CRM systems.

Contribute to annual fundraising planning, budgeting, and strategic initiatives.

Collaborate across departments to advance organizational priorities and strengthen philanthropic outcomes.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree preferred, plus 8-12 years of progressive fundraising experience required, with demonstrated success in major gifts, individual giving, philanthropy, or non-profit development.

Proven track record securing significant philanthropic commitments, including six- and seven-figure gifts preferred.

Experience managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and philanthropic partners.

Strong understanding of major gift fundraising, donor cultivation, solicitation strategies, and stewardship practices.

Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to engage donors, executives, board members, and senior stakeholders.

Experience developing compelling proposals, presentations, donor communications, and philanthropic investment opportunities.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex organizational priorities and impact.

Experience working with global organizations, international development, women’s leadership, human rights, or social impact organizations preferred.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce, and fundraising technology platforms.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across a global, mission-driven organization.

Passion for advancing women’s leadership and creating sustainable social impact.

This position is a full-time, exempt hybrid position based in Washington, DC with two days of required in person attendance at the Vital Voices Headquarters. Domestic and international travel up to 20% may be required for the position.

The anticipated starting salary for this role is $136,000, with flexibility up to $167,000 for candidates who bring additional experience, skills or qualifications beyond the core requirements of the position

Benefits:

At Vital Voices, we value our employees and their well-being. That's why we offer a competitive and comprehensive compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k match, short and long-term disability, life insurance, HSA, EAP, and more. But that's not all. We believe in giving our employees the flexibility and support they need to thrive in their work and life. That's why we provide generous PTO including wellness flex Fr