Senior Foundation Director- Columbus

Senior Foundation Director

The Senior Foundation Director is a senior member of the Financial Resource Development leadership team and serves as the executive leader responsible for the overall performance, strategy, and long-term sustainability of the JewishColumbus Foundation. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this role provides organizational leadership across all aspects of the Foundation, including donor-advised funds, custodial and endowment assets, planned and legacy giving, governance, financial oversight, and operational management. The Senior Foundation Director is accountable for Foundation growth, asset development, and stewardship, ensuring alignment with JewishColumbus broader philanthropic and community priorities.

This role operates with significant strategic and decision-making authority and serves as the primary partner to senior leadership and the Foundation Committee in shaping the direction, policies, and future of the Foundation.

Foundation Strategy, Performance, and Growth

• Set and lead the overall strategic vision for the Foundation, including asset growth, donor engagement, and long-term sustainability

• Establish and be accountable for measurable performance across all Foundation lines of business, including:

• Donor-Advised Funds
• Custodial Accounts
• Endowment Development (realized gifts)
• Legacy and planned giving
• Professional advisor engagement

• Drive growth in assets under management and philanthropic investment through coordinated development strategies, with a balanced focus on both current-use and long-term endowment assets

• Align Foundation strategy with annual campaign, major gifts, and organizational priorities; partner with CEO, CDO, CMO, lay leaders, and other senior FRD professionals on donor identification, engagement, and stewardship

Governance, Board and Organizational Leadership

• Serve as the lead professional staff partner to the Foundation Committee, supporting governance, strategic planning, and policy development

• Partner with senior leadership and Board members on Foundation strategy, growth, and decision-making

• Ensure strong governance practices, including adherence to policies, fiduciary responsibilities, and best practices

• Prepare and present clear, data-informed recommendations and updates to leadership and the Board

Financial Oversight and Compliance

• Partner closely with the Chief Financial Officer to oversee Foundation financial operations, including budgets, distributions, and investment alignment

• Ensure all Foundation activity meets legal, regulatory, and fiduciary requirements

• Maintain oversight of fund performance, spending policies, and financial sustainability

• Contribute to the evaluation and evolution of policies related to distributions, investments, and fund structures

Donor and Philanthropic Strategy

• Serve as a senior strategist and relationship lead for high-capacity donors, fundholders, and professional advisors

• Manage a select portfolio of key Foundation relationships

• Lead strategy for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Foundation-related gifts and assets

• Provide expert counsel on complex giving vehicles and philanthropic structures

Planned Giving and Legacy Leadership

• Serve as the organization's lead authority on planned giving strategy, vehicles, and trends

• Develop and implement a comprehensive legacy giving program to support long-term sustainability

• Train and support FRD staff and lay leadership in planned giving approaches

• Maintain current knowledge of tax law, financial planning strategies, and philanthropic trends

Foundation Operations and Administration

• Provide strategic oversight of Foundation operations, ensuring strong integration across development, finance, and operations

• Oversee administrative systems, workflows, and processes supporting Foundation activity

• Ensure operational efficiency, scalability, and high-quality donor experience

Professional Advisor and Community Leadership

• Build and maintain relationships with professional advisors to expand philanthropic opportunities

• Serve as a visible external leader, spokesperson, and trusted philanthropic advisor for the JewishColumbus Foundation

• Represent JewishColumbus in local and national philanthropic and Foundation networks

• Partner with the CMO to develop and execute a communications strategy that reinforces JewishColumbus as a trusted philanthropic advisor

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, manage, and develop Foundation staff, consultants, and vendors

• Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, accountability structures, and team culture

• Support cross-functional collaboration across FRD and the broader organization

Data, Reporting, and Insights

• Oversee reporting on Foundation performance, including asset growth, fund activity, and donor engagement

• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to develop dashboards and insights for leadership and the Board

• Use data to inform strategy, resource allocation, and continuous improvement

Core Competencies

• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and secure major and planned gifts

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution

• Deep knowledge of planned giving vehicles, trends, and donor motivations

• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience

• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills

• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, lay leaders, and professional advisors

• Data-informed mindset with the ability to use metrics to guide decision-making

Experience Required

• 10+ years in senior development or Foundation leadership roles

• Experience managing a fundraising team and cross-functional collaboration

• Proven experience soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 and above

• Proven track record of securing major and planned gifts

• Experience developing and executing comprehensive development strategies

• Experience working with Boards and lay leadership

• Skilled in preparing board-level materials and facilitating strategic discussions

• Familiarity with Foundation structures, donor-advised funds, and endowment management

• Demonstrated expertise in CRM systems, reporting, and data analysis to drive fundraising strategy, including pipeline development, dashboard creation, and performance tracking across portfolios

• CAP or similar certification preferred

• Evidence of scaling assets or impact

Work Environment + Schedule

• Hybrid work environment, with on-site presence required Tuesday through Thursday. • Evening and weekend availability required.