Philanthropy Director

ABOUT SPARK MICROGRANTS

Spark MicroGrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. Spark has worked in 1000+ villages in 6 countries and has pioneered a community-driven development model in sub-Saharan Africa. Spark works with NGO and Government partners to scale the model's adoption and impact on rural communities - on their own terms. Our model combines facilitated community meetings with a small, discretionary grant to catalyze local action and institution building. Read more about our Approach, Impact and Values on our website. 

WHO YOU ARE 

We’re seeking an externally facing Philanthropy Director to own and drive Spark’s fundraising engine. You are a confident relationship builder who brings focus, urgency, and follow-through to growth efforts, and who is energized by turning belief in Spark’s model into significant, multi-year philanthropic investments.

You are strategic and action-oriented with comfort and experience setting strategies, opening doors, and making direct asks. You bring strong judgment, presence, and emotional intelligence to high-stakes donor conversations, and you are senior enough to independently develop fundraising strategies, manage a robust donor portfolio, and advance opportunities from early cultivation through close.

The Philanthropy Director will work closely with Spark’s CEO, Growth Director, and Executive Leadership Team to shape and execute Spark’s overall philanthropy strategy. This role will represent Spark externally with major donors, foundations, and partners; build and steward long-term relationships; and ensure that Spark’s fundraising efforts are aligned with organizational priorities and growth goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Own and Drive the Fundraising Pipeline
Year One Goal: Build and actively manage a robust, high-quality donor pipeline that delivers significant, multi-year philanthropic commitments aligned with Spark’s growth priorities.

• Build, manage, and advance a portfolio of major donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners, including prospects capable of 6–7 figure gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through long-term, relationship-driven engagement.
• Develop clear pipeline strategies with defined milestones, targets, and timelines, and maintain momentum from initial interest through commitment.
• Make direct, confident, and timely asks, converting opportunities into secured funding.
• Develop compelling donor proposals and pitch materials
• Track pipeline progress and proactively surface risks, gaps, and opportunities.

Lead Spark’s Philanthropy Strategy
Year One Goal: Establish a clear, focused philanthropy strategy that aligns prospective donor engagement with Spark’s long-term vision, growth plans, and funding priorities.

• Shape Spark’s overall philanthropy strategy in partnership with the CEO, Growth Director, and Executive Leadership Team, with a clear focus on expanding and diversifying the donor base.
• Identify and prioritize new funding opportunities aligned with Spark’s programmatic expansion, research agenda, and long-term institutional growth.
• Design innovative, multi-year partnership approaches that introduce new entry points for donors and motivate sustained investment in Spark’s larger goals.
• Use data, insight, and compelling narrative to match prospective funders with the right opportunities at the right moment in their engagement journey.
• Lead fundraising conversations with urgency and clarity, while building trust, integrity, and durable donor relationships.

Design & Manage Pipeline Operations and Systems
Year One Goal: Establish effective systems and processes that support disciplined fundraising execution, transparency, and decision-making.

• Design and manage pipeline operations, including new donor tracking, data management, and coordination of donor communications in alignment with senior communications manager.
• Set clear fundraising goals and performance indicators, and monitor progress against targets.
• Analyze pipeline data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for growth.
• Share regular pipeline updates and insights with leadership and the Board to support strategic oversight and accountability.

What You Bring

• 10+ years of professional experience combined with a proven track record of closing significant philanthropic gifts or partnerships, including major and multi-year commitments.
• A strong, relevant major donor or funder network.
• Comfort making direct, confident asks with high-net-worth individuals and institutional funders.
• Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and advance a fundraising pipeline from prospecting through close.
• Strategic thinking paired with a strong bias toward action and results.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship instincts.
• Comfort operating independently in a senior, externally facing role.
  

OTHER INFORMATION

Job Location: Rwanda or Uganda. Elsewhere in East Africa will also be considered, if candidates already possess valid, legal work authorization for other requested job locations. 

Reporting to: Growth Director or CEO

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: Salary is based on geographic location and commensurate with experience

Probation period: Three months probation period with learning and performance objectives

How to Apply: Follow the link to apply: https://sparkmicrogrants.bamboohr.com/careers/158

SAFEGUARDING

Our safeguarding follows a do no harm principle. All Spark staff are expected to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimize harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and national legislation in the countries where we operate. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.