Director of Philanthropy

Job Description:

Who We Are:

The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization working to ensure a fair, inclusive financial marketplace that creates opportunities for all. Through research, legal analysis, policy development, and state and national advocacy engagement, CRL fights for economic equity for underserved communities—including Black and brown communities, low-to-middle-income families, and rural families. CRL’s staff, allies, and funders reflect a collective commitment to eliminating systemic injustice in America’s financial services.

CRL provides a strong voice on both the state and national levels for these families to expand family wealth and financial stability through sustainable homeownership, affordable higher education, and support for small businesses. We also protect their financial stability by preventing harmful products that trap families in debt and strip away their income, including predatory high-cost lending and other unfair financial practices. CRL is an affiliate of Self-Help, a community development lender founded in 1980.

The Julian Bond Institute (JBI) produces research that illuminates the financial barriers families face, builds the evidence base for policy change, and holds the financial system accountable to the communities it must serve — with the rigor of academic research and the urgency of a civil rights mandate. JBI was launched in early 2025 as part of CRL.

We are seeking a Director of Philanthropy to join our team. This is a hybrid role based in our Durham, NC or Washington, DC office.

What You’ll Do:

This is a chance to be the driving force behind the fundraising that powers CRL’s work. As CRL’s lead fundraiser, reporting to the President, you’ll shape our philanthropy strategy and help raise more than $3 million each year for research and advocacy that protects families from predatory lending and helps them build lasting wealth. If you’re a strategic, energetic leader who loves building relationships and wants your work to lead directly to real change for families, this role is for you.

Lead Our Fundraising Strategy

• You’ll own CRL’s annual and multi-year revenue goals across grants and individual giving, and build and carry out the plan to reach them through foundation, major individual, and corporate giving and endowment growth.
• You’ll position our philanthropy program to advance CRL’s broader goals, making sure the dollars we raise line up with our research, policy, and advocacy priorities.
• You’ll manage the fundraising calendar and staff roles, working closely with colleagues across CRL to meet our goals and deadlines.

Grow and Deepen Funder Relationships

• You’ll find new funders and grow the number of foundations and individual donors who support our work.
• You’ll lead meetings with current and prospective funders and represent CRL at conferences and other events.
• When it makes sense, you’ll bring CRL Board and Advisory Board members into the work of building support.

Tell CRL’s Story to Funders

• You’ll write, or guide the writing of, proposals, reports, and stewardship communications that show funders what their support makes possible.

Keep Fundraising on Track

• You’ll track solicitations, expected gifts, pledges, and income, and give executive leadership and the Board monthly fundraising updates on progresstoward goals, including projected versus actual revenue and expenses.
• You’ll coordinate grant tracking and reporting with CRL staff, Self-Help’s resource development team, and accounting staff.

Build a Culture of Fundraising

• You’ll lead and coach the Philanthropy Manager, helping them grow their skills and do their best work.
• You’ll serve as the go-to advisor and coach for CRL leaders, Board members, and staff on fundraising, helping everyone play a part in building support.
• You’ll take on other duties as needed to help CRL meet its goals.

What You'll Need:

• A bachelor’s degree and at least 5 to 7 years of fundraising experience with foundations, corporations, and/or major individual donors. A graduate degree is preferred.
• A proven record of meeting or exceeding annual and multi-year revenue goals, including grants and individual giving.
• Demonstrated experience strategically positioning philanthropic programs to achieve broader organizational goals.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to lead, develop, and motivate staff and to work well both as a leader and as part of a team.
• The ability to start and build strong relationships with potential funders and key stakeholders.
• Confidence reporting to executive leadership and a Board.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with fundraising databases and systems.
• The ability to understand, interpret, and explain program and organizational budgets and financial statements.
• Familiarity with lending and financial services terms and legal language, or the ability to learn them quickly.
• The ability to start and juggle multiple projects and work independently.
• The ability to act quickly on urgent, unplanned opportunities or needs.
• A strong commitment to CRL’s mission of creating economic opportunity for traditionally underserved communities, and to working as part of a diverse organization.
• A preference for working in organizations that make teamwork and collaboration a priority.
• Experience in marketing, investor relations, community economic development, or financial services is a plus.
• The ability to demonstrate Self-Help’s Core Values:
  • Mission Before Self
  • Service With Excellence
  • Embracing & Promoting Change
  • Results Not Credit
  • Diversity as a Strength
  • Financial Sustainability for Mission Impact

WORK ARRANGEMENTS

The Director of Philanthropy is a hybrid role. Staff are expected to be in the office three days per week, with Monday and Wednesday as communal days and the third day determined by each individual. This role includes regular travel, including some overnight trips, to meet with funders and attend events

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY & BENEFITS

CRL believes that wealth inequality undermines the security and strength of families, communities, and the US economy. For that reason, we maintain a minimum salary floor well above the federal minimum wage for our staff, to help them meet their basic needs and save for the future. We also cap salaries at the higher end of our compensation scale, where many staff, including the CEO and other senior leaders, earn the same salary, subject only to geographic adjustments.

Salary :

Durham, NC: $94,800- 126,610 (NC Cap)

Washington, DC $$109,400 – 153,738 (DC Cap)

Compensation ranges are based on local market rates and are determined by geography, role, and experience. The higher end of each range represents the current organizational salary cap for each location, which increases annually based on cost of living and organizational performance.

Health

• Medical, dental & vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, with 80% to 100% of premiums paid by Self-Help depending on coverage levels selected.
• Employee Assistance Program Access

Paid Time Off

• Vacation accrued at 15 days/year; sick time accrued at 12 days/year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave of 12-16 weeks, prorated for staff with less than 1 year of service.

Financial Wellbeing

• 401k match - 3% company contribution, plus an additional $1 for $1 on first 6% that the employee contributes.
• CRL-paid life insurance of $50,000, plus long-term disability and accidental death & dismemberment coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• As a 501(c)(3) organization, employment with CRL may provide an opportunity for student loan forgiveness. Candidates should review the provisions of their student loans to determine if this is applicable.

JOIN THE TEAM!

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. CRL’s work focuses on those who may be marginalized or underserved by the existing financial marketplace, or in many cases, people who are targeted for unfair and abusive financial products that leave them worse off. This includes people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities. We strongly encourage applicants from these communities to apply, even if they may not meet every listed qualification. Diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the identities and experiences of the communities we serve.

Interview Process CRL’s aim is that the hiring process is both robust and efficient, ensuring that there is time for mutual discovery along the way. For this role, candidates can expect a phone screen, video interview with the hiring manager, a panel interview, and an on-site final interview. Once the interview process begins, we anticipate it will take 4-6 weeks until an offer is made and communicated. The Center for Responsible Lending is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.

Self-Help is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Company Disclaimer:

Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.