Vice President, Philanthropy

Position: Vice President of Philanthropy

Status: Full-Time (salaried, full benefits)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer
Salary Grade: VP
Salary Range: $150,000-$170,000
Location: Washington, DC (in-office Tuesdays and Wednesdays required) 

Position Overview

The Vice President of Philanthropy will lead Issue One's fundraising operations during a period of organizational evolution. The VP will partner with the CEO to manage existing donor relationships, execute on current fundraising priorities, and build the foundation for future fundraising growth. This role will manage a small team of fundraising professionals, including a full-time Director who oversees foundation relationships and a Director of Philanthropy, and work closely with the board's philanthropy committee.

The ideal candidate will have strong fundraising operations experience, excellent relationship management skills, and the ability to execute on existing donor strategies while helping to shape future fundraising priorities. A core focus of this role will be developing and supporting a "culture of philanthropy" at Issue One, ensuring that board members, staff leadership, and program teams understand, embrace, and actively participate in fundraising activities in a collaborative and donor-focused effort. The VP must be highly organized and comfortable working in a period of transition.

Key Responsibilities

The VP will lead fundraising operations and support Issue One's fundraising goals by:

• Working closely with the CEO, COO, and Board leadership to execute on Issue One's annual and project-specific fundraising goals.
• Building and sustaining a culture of philanthropy across the organization by engaging board members, staff, and volunteers in collaborative, donor-focused fundraising efforts.
• Supporting the CEO in managing his portfolio of Issue One's critical prospective donors and existing major donors.
• Supporting the organization's fundraising initiatives, including potential future campaign efforts and strategic planning for major giving programs.
• Managing donor stewardship for existing major donors and identifying opportunities to deepen relationships and secure renewed support.
• Overseeing the Senior Director of Foundations and Philanthropy Operations, who manages foundation relationships, proposal and report writing, grants management, and relationship stewardship.
• Partnering with the Director of Foundation Relations to identify and cultivate new foundation prospects to diversify and expand funding streams.
• Partnering with the Director of Philanthropy to design and implement a transformational donor giving program for major gifts prospects.
• Drafting weekly major donor updates and biannual reports.
• Serving as the Board liaison for fundraising, including building a functional fundraising committee that will grow in the coming years.
• Leveraging the involvement of various committees and task forces for fundraising purposes.
• Developing internal partnerships with program staff designed to involve them in fundraising efforts appropriately.
• Coordinating with communications staff on marketing materials and proposals to ensure consistent quality and accurate messaging.
• Managing and supervising a small fundraising team (currently 3 staff members).
• Implementing donor stewardship programs designed to demonstrate donor impact.
• Ensuring that back office systems are highly functional and accurate to ensure extraordinary donor experiences.
• Managing an overall fundraising budget in partnership with the COO.
  
  

Key Attributes and Qualifications

• 7-10 years of fundraising experience, including at least 3-5 years in a leadership or management role
• Demonstrated ability to develop a culture of philanthropy within an organization, with experience engaging board members and staff in fundraising activities and building organizational capacity for sustainable donor relationships
• Experience managing donor relationships and supporting front-line fundraising with high-net-worth individuals and foundations
• Experience managing fundraising professionals and building high-performing teams
• Experience with capital campaigns or comprehensive fundraising initiatives is valued
• Knowledge of the money in politics and government ethics reform movement is ideal
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated success in donor communications
• Superb communication and presentation skills
• Ability to synthesize complexity, make informed decisions, and develop strategic alternatives that help create solutions in sometimes ambiguous and fast-moving environments
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills with an appreciation for high-level execution and superb attention to detail
• Entrepreneurialism and resourcefulness, with the ability to deliver results in a rapidly growing, deadline-driven, and dynamic environment
• Team-oriented and collaborative; flexibility and adaptability to modify plans in line with shifting priorities
• Comfort working in periods of organizational transition and the proven ability to maintain optimism and passion for strengthening our democracy.
  
  

Structure and Location

This full-time role is based in or around Washington, DC, or the northeast. This job requires travel throughout the United States occasionally. The VP must work on-site in our DC office twice weekly (Tuesday and Wednesday) if they reside in the DMV area. If outside of DC, the VP will typically need to travel monthly to our office for 2-3 days at a time. The VP reports to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

Benefits 

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance. 

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan, with Issue One paying 100% of the premium. The organization also covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff. 
• Staff receive over 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures. 
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for internet and commuting, and promotes a hybrid work environment that allows for working from home while establishing regular in-person office opportunities twice a week.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. Additionally, all staff members are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization offers several opportunities for fun and fellowship. 
  
  

Physical Demands 

• Most work is carried out in an office-like environment, where projects are completed at a desk for extended periods and tasks are performed using a computer.
• During special events or donor meetings, the VP may be required to stand for extended periods and travel occasionally.
• The VP may need to lift, push, and/or carry items in excess of ten (10) pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job as described.
  
  

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

Jan. 23-Feb 6: The position is posted, and resumes are collected 

Feb. 9-11: Resumes are screened and top candidates are identified for interviews.

Feb. 12-18: First-round panel interviews take place.

Feb. 19-24: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place.

Feb. 25: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials). 

March 16: New candidate begins (flexible start date) 

Special Note: While our organizations will do their best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organizations will do their best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after February 6, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to complete our self-identification questionnaire voluntarily. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring everyone has equal success opportunities.

Due to the volume of applications, we will, unfortunately, be unable to acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please. 

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.