Director of Philanthropy

Job Description

The Director of Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for SIM USA’s fundraising program, with responsibility for shaping and building the fundraising strategies, programs, capabilities, and systems needed to significantly grow philanthropic revenue over the next five years. 

This leader will work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to assess opportunities, set fundraising priorities, and build a comprehensive fundraising program that expands beyond SIM USA’s current major gifts foundation. This includes strengthening Major Gifts, launching and leading a new Grants program, growing planned and asset-based giving, and identifying and developing additional fundraising opportunities that diversify and strengthen SIM USA’s philanthropic revenue. 

The Director will also lead and develop the fundraising team and personally manage a focused portfolio of approximately 20–30 significant donor and foundation relationships, while building a culture of strong donor care, accountability, collaboration, measurement, and continuous improvement. 

Fundraising Strategy & Program Development  

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• Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer to shape and execute a five-year strategy for growth and diversification of SIM USA’s philanthropic revenue.  
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• Identify, evaluate, prioritize, and develop new fundraising opportunities and revenue streams.  
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• Build and strengthen a comprehensive fundraising program encompassing major gifts, grants, mid-level giving, planned and asset-based giving, stewardship, donor engagement, and emerging fundraising initiatives.  
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• Develop strategies to expand planned and asset-based giving, including identifying opportunities, strengthening donor pathways, and building the internal capabilities needed to grow this area.  
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• Assess and strengthen fundraising strategies, systems, structures, processes, and team capabilities.  
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• Develop multi-year fundraising plans, goals, and performance measures.  
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• Build organizational fundraising capacity through strong infrastructure, reporting, systems, and talent development. 
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Major Gifts Leadership  

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• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Senior Philanthropy Officers. 
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• Establish a disciplined moves management culture focused on intentional donor strategy, meaningful engagement, and measurable donor movement. 
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• Ensure portfolios are managed strategically with clear goals, relationship plans, and accountability for results. 
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• Review performance, donor strategies, opportunities, and outcomes, coaching fundraisers through complex donor relationships and significant gift opportunities. 
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• Strengthen major-gift pipelines and fundraising effectiveness across the program. 
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Grants Program Leadership  

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• Launch and oversee SIM USA's Grants program. 
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• Cultivate relationships with foundations and institutional funders. 
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• Evaluate, prioritize, and pursue grant opportunities. 
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• Oversee proposal development, submissions, reporting, and stewardship. 
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• Monitor pipeline activity, revenue projections, and results. 
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Team Leadership & Culture  

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• Foster a culture of trust, humility, excellence, collaboration, and shared ownership of results. 
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• Care for, coach, and develop team members while setting clear expectations and accountability. 
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• Address performance challenges directly and constructively. 
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• Encourage innovation, learning, and continuous improvement
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Work Experience Requirements  

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• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably within a nonprofit organization.  
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• Demonstrated experience developing and executing fundraising strategy and building or significantly expanding fundraising programs.  
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• Broad experience across multiple fundraising disciplines, with direct experience cultivating and securing significant gifts and exposure to areas such as grants, planned and asset-based giving, mid-level giving, and donor stewardship.  
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• Proven experience leading and developing fundraising teams, programs, or initiatives with increasing levels of responsibility.  
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• Demonstrated ability to identify growth opportunities, translate strategy into actionable plans, and build the systems, processes, and capabilities needed to support fundraising growth. 
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  Spiritual Qualities  

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• Demonstrates a personal faith that reflects and supports the Christ-centered mission of SIM. 
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• Affirms and lives in alignment with SIM’s Statement of Faith and core values, including willingness to sign the SIM Commitment. 
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• Shows understanding of and appreciation for SIM’s mission and values, with a desire to communicate and represent them well. 
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  Education Requirements  

College degree preferred. 

Familiarity with SIM’s mission, structure, and personnel practices preferred. 

Training Expectations  

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• Child Safety Training 
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• Security Training. 
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