Head of Philanthropy & Principal Giving (Eastern US)

Head of Philanthropy & Principal Giving (Eastern US)

New York

About Acumen

Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. Named one of Fast Company's most innovative companies of 2026, Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty, going where traditional capital often won't to back entrepreneurs building more inclusive markets.We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty.

Acumen works across the spectrum of capital, raising philanthropic capital that is deployed in several ways: as patient investment, to build leaders, and to leverage into much larger impact funds – all focused on solving problems of poverty. To learn more visit acumen.org .

Acumen was founded on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We focus on investing in transformational companies, building sustainable markets, and preparing leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future.

Our work combines the best qualities of philanthropy and business to spark transformational change and break the cycle of poverty. We back bold entrepreneurs serving low-income communities to build markets that work for everyone, and every investment we make, company we scale, and community we cultivate is designed to serve people living in poverty. We work across four continents and some of the hardest-to-reach communities in the world, supporting entrepreneurs through a multi-pronged approach:

Acumen Ventures: We take risks most investors won't for higher impact reward, and we invest across the capital continuum to help transformational companies grow from seed to scale. Our Angels Award helps Academy graduates get businesses off the ground; our Patient Capital approach leverages philanthropy to catalyze continued growth; and our Returnable Funds have the power to turn a proven market into a movement across nations and continents. Learn more about Acumen Ventures and our investment principles .

Acumen Academy: We offer transformative, cohort-based leadership programs for entrepreneurs who want to solve and scale solutions to poverty; online courses for anyone, anywhere seeking to create positive impact in their community; and a global alumni network of 2,000 whom we continue to support with the tools, community, and capital required to scale their impact. Learn more about Acumen Academy .

Over 25 years, Acumen has invested in and supported companies serving some of the world's most vulnerable communities, impacting more than 700 million lives. To learn more, visit acumen.org or review our manifesto .

What You'll Do

The Head of Philanthropy & Principal Giving (Eastern US) will lead Acumen's individual philanthropy strategy across the Eastern United States, with a particular focus on building new relationships and securing major gifts in support of Acumen's ongoing $250M campaign in service of our 10 year vision. This is a senior, externally facing role for an accomplished relationship builder who can expand Acumen's network, inspire transformational giving, and help shape how we engage major philanthropists during the campaign and beyond.

Working closely with our Chief Development & Partnerships Officer, the Directors of European and West Coast fundraising, and our CEO, this leader will have meaningful ownership of fundraising strategy, relationships, and results. They will cultivate relationships within their own network and build new ones; significantly expand Acumen's visibility across the Eastern half of the United States; and secure the flexible capital that allows Acumen to invest early, take risks, and pursue the opportunities with the greatest potential for impact.

We are looking for someone who brings at least 15 years of experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and a strong track record of closing major gifts. The ideal candidate possesses an existing network of potential supporters – or a demonstrated ability to quickly build one – and can connect Acumen's mission and patient capital model with the ambitions of sophisticated philanthropists who think about giving with the same rigor they bring to investing.

A persuasive storyteller and trusted advisor, this leader must be equally comfortable in a one-on-one conversation, convening a room around a shared purpose, and working with senior leaders to move a relationship toward a significant commitment. They will bring sound judgment, genuine curiosity, and a feel for nuance, along with the drive to open doors and turn relationships into lasting philanthropic partnerships.

This is a rare opportunity to help build the next chapter of individual philanthropy at Acumen, and to help shape a campaign designed to expand what Acumen can achieve over the next decade. It is also an ideal opportunity for an entrepreneurial frontline fundraiser who is motivated by ambitious goals and deeply passionate about leveraging philanthropy to solve problems of global poverty.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy for individual major gifts across the Eastern United States, with clear goals for pipeline growth, donor engagement, and revenue.
• Build and steward a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, families, founders, and family offices, securing significant unrestricted and campaign commitments.
• Design thoughtful, individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that reflect each donor's interests, motivations, and potential relationship with Acumen.
• Secure meaningful 6- and 7-figure contributions to support Acumen's ongoing $250M campaign in service of our 10 year vision.
• Open new philanthropic networks and deepen Acumen's presence among established and next-generation donors who are drawn to entrepreneurship, ending extreme poverty, investing, climate, and systems change.
• Create compelling opportunities for engagement through intimate gatherings, salons, events, field experiences, hands‑on advisory roles, and peer-to-peer introductions.
• Serve as a visible and credible ambassador for Acumen in East Coast philanthropic circles, representing our mission, values, and investment approach with clarity and conviction.
• Maintain disciplined portfolio and pipeline management, using data and judgment to prioritize relationships, forecast revenue, and drive consistent follow-through.
• Partner closely with the CEO, Chief Development & Partnerships Officer, and other senior leaders to prepare for and lead high‑stakes donor conversations, asks, and follow‑up.
• Work with Marketing & Communications and program colleagues to translate Acumen's strategy, portfolio, and impact into stories and materials that move donors to act.
• Collaborate with colleagues across regions and donor channels to strengthen campaign strategy, share insights, and create a coordinated experience for supporters.
• Act as a key thought partner and close collaborator to the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer and other fundraising leaders on strategy, goals, and tactics for the team.
• Effectively manage a small team of direct reports in New York who provide support on regional fundraising and donor engagement, and coordinate with our head of D&P Operations to leverage Acumen's CRM and fundraising tools.

Who You’ll Work With

You will report to the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer . You will directly manage an East Coast Development & Partnerships Manager (to be hired) and frequently collaborate across the Development & Partnerships team and with the Chief Executive Officer , Jacqueline Novogratz. Learn more about our team and Founder/CEO .

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 15 years of experience in major gifts, philanthropy, relationship management, or a closely related field, with a strong record of securing significant (6- and 7-figure) individual gifts.
• A meaningful network of high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic influencers, or clear evidence of having built new networks and converted relationships into major support.
• Credibility with sophisticated donors and the ability to engage them in substantive conversations about philanthropy, investing, entrepreneurship, and global challenges.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, emotional intelligence, and judgment, including the ability to navigate complex dynamics with discretion.
• A strong, authentic communicator who can make complex ideas clear, tell compelling stories, and tailor a case for support to different audiences.
• Experience partnering with a CEO, founder, board members, or other senior leaders to advance major donor relationships and secure gifts.
• A builder's mindset: entrepreneurial, proactive, resilient, and energized by creating new opportunities rather than relying only on an established portfolio.
• Strong personal accountability and comfort balancing long-term relationship development with ambitious near‑term fundraising goals.
• A collaborative, low‑ego approach and willingness to work across teams while taking direct ownership of results.
• Deep alignment with Acumen's values, including moral imagination, generosity, humility, accountability, and respect for the dignity of others.
• Authorization to work in the United States and ability to travel as needed.

Acumen maintains a hybrid work schedule, with employees expected to work on‑site at Acumen's New York headquarters at least 3 days per week. As such, we are seeking candidates based in the New York City metropolitan area who are able and willing to commute regularly. The role also requires the ability to travel frequently within the region.

Acumen determines the salaries of its employees based on comparable pay in comparable markets, for comparable accountabilities, experience, and education. Compensation is structured around clearly defined levels of accountability, each with an associated pay band informed by market data within local geographies. Acumen benchmarks pay bands based on local salary ranges for both the impact investing and nonprofit sectors. Employees are further eligible to receive performance‑based bonuses.

About Development & Partnerships We are a small and mighty team where everyone rolls up their sleeves together to get the job done. We sit at the nexus of philanthropy and investing, using investment as a means to solve problems and drive systems change. Though Acumen manages several commercial funds, our D&P team is accountable for raising philanthropy to support Acumen’s work, engaging with HNWIs, Foundations, Corporations and Government funders and managing complex long‑term grants and distinct engagement strategies across these different donor types.

Location
The ideal candidate would be based in New York City. However we are open to considering candidates in other geographical locations with proximity to strong and influential philanthropic networks.

Acumen offers generous Benefits:

• Employer-sponsored health insurance via Oxford, with Acumen contributing 75%–85% of the monthly premium , depending on plan tier.
• Employer-sponsored vision & dental insurance , provided via VSP (vision) and Guardian (dental).
• 20 paid-time off days per year, as well as 11 paid U.S. holidays and 4 observance days per year.
• Up to 12 weeks paid family leave as well as 9 sick days and 5 bereavement days as needed.
• 401k retirement benefits provided via Voya, including 3% employer contribution regardless of employee participation.
• Excellent annual performance is rewarded with a discretionary, performance‑based bonus ranging from 1%-18%.
• Monthly commuter benefits to support the cost of train, subway, bus, ferry, or parking services.

Equal Employment Opportunity Acumen is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive environment. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military and veteran status, genetic information, and any other status protected by law. They provide qualified applicants and employees reasonable accommodation, when necessary, to enable individuals to complete the application process and/or perform the essential functions of the job. They believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. They strive to build and maintain a diverse team that will advance our mission and work and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.