We use cookies to improve your experience on our platform. By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies required for basic website functionality.
Cookies used to deliver content most relevant to you and your needs.
Cookies used to deliver content most relevant to you and your needs.
Cookies that help understand the performance of the website, how users interact with it and to identify bugs.
How is Zeffy free?
How is Zeffy free?
Zeffy relies entirely on optional contributions from donors. At the payment confirmation step - we ask donors to leave an optional contribution to Zeffy.
Director of Philanthropy: Jobs, Salary, Skills & Job Description Template
April 1, 2026
A director of philanthropy is the person responsible for bringing money in the door at a nonprofit. They lead fundraising, build donor relationships, and make sure the organization has the financial support it needs to keep doing its work.
In this guide, you'll find current job openings, 2025 salary data, a full breakdown of what the role looks like day-to-day, and a free job description template you can copy or download.
A director of philanthropy is the person responsible for bringing money in the door. They lead fundraising, build donor relationships, and make sure the organization has the financial support it needs to keep doing its work.
At a larger nonprofit, that might mean managing a development team, overseeing a $5M+ fundraising goal, and personally stewarding your biggest donors. At a smaller org, it often means doing all of that yourself — writing the grant on Monday, meeting a donor for coffee on Tuesday, and prepping the board report on Wednesday.
It's one of the hardest roles in the nonprofit world. It's also one of the most important. If your fundraising isn't working, nothing else matters.
What do directors of philanthropy do daily?
The day-to-day looks different depending on your org size, but most directors of philanthropy split their time between building relationships, planning strategy, and running campaigns. Here's what the typical scope covers:
Plan community outreach events and activities to build relationships with individual donors, corporations, and foundations
Plan and execute a sustainable financial structure for the nonprofit organization
Develop strategies for fundraising, community outreach, and public relations
Lead and empower staff and board members to take part in philanthropic activities
Maintain comprehensive donor records
Coordinate funding requests and prepare donor materials by collaborating with stakeholders
Develop and maintain an annual budget related to philanthropy and communications
Serve as the primary communicator for all stakeholders in the nonprofit's structure
Ensure that all fundraising activities follow legal and ethical standards, including tax regulations and donor privacy laws
How to become a director of philanthropy
There's no single path into this role, but most directors of philanthropy follow a similar progression. Here's what it actually looks like:
Step 1: Get your degree
Most directors hold at least a bachelor's — usually in nonprofit management, communications, business, or public administration. A master's (MBA, MPA, or MA in Nonprofit Leadership) helps at larger orgs but isn't always required, especially if you've got the fundraising track record to back it up.
Step 2: Start in frontline fundraising (years 1–3)
Roles like Development Coordinator, Annual Fund Associate, or Grant Writer. This is where you learn how fundraising actually works — donor communications, event logistics, CRM data entry, all of it. It's not glamorous, but it's where you build the skills that matter.
Step 3: Move into mid-level management (years 3–6)
Think Major Gifts Officer, Development Manager, or Associate Director of Development. You'll start managing your own donor portfolio, leading campaigns, and supervising junior staff. This is the stage where you prove you can raise money and lead people at the same time.
Step 4: Step into director-level leadership (years 6–10+)
Now you own the full fundraising strategy. You're managing a team, reporting to the ED or CEO, and personally stewarding the organization's most important donors.
Certifications worth getting
CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) — the most recognized credential in nonprofit fundraising. You'll need 5+ years of experience and a passing exam score.
AFP membership — the Association of Fundraising Professionals runs solid training, conferences, and a network that's useful at every stage.
Grant Professional Certified (GPC) — worth it if your role leans heavily toward foundation and government grants.
At a small nonprofit, you might jump from "first development hire" to Director of Philanthropy in 3–5 years. The title comes faster when you're the one building the program from scratch, not inheriting it. If you're willing to do the work, the path is shorter than most people think.
Director of philanthropy salary (2025 data)
According to Indeed's 2025 data, the average director of philanthropy salary in the U.S. is $117,390 per year.
Here's how that breaks down by experience:
Experience Level
Salary Range
Context
Entry-level (1–3 years in role)
$70,000 – $90,000
Typical at small nonprofits with budgets under $2M
Mid-career (3–7 years)
$90,000 – $120,000
Most common range at established organizations
Senior (7+ years)
$120,000 – $165,000
Large nonprofits, hospitals, universities
What moves the needle on salary:
Org size matters most. A Director of Philanthropy at a $500K nonprofit won't earn the same as one at a $20M hospital foundation. But smaller orgs often offer more autonomy and direct impact.
Location. California, New York, and Massachusetts pay the most, but cost of living eats into the difference.
Revenue you're responsible for. If you're personally driving $5M+ in annual fundraising, you're in a stronger position to negotiate.
Sources: Indeed, Glassdoor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (Fundraising Manager category, SOC 11-2031)
Director of philanthropy vs. related roles
The nonprofit world loves overlapping titles. Here's how the Director of Philanthropy stacks up against similar roles:
Role
Typical Salary
Reports To
How It's Different
Director of Philanthropy
$90K – $140K
ED or VP of Advancement
Owns the donor portfolio and development strategy
Director of Development
$85K – $135K
ED or CEO
More operational; philanthropy is one piece of the job
Chief Development Officer
$130K – $200K+
CEO
Sets org-wide revenue strategy; manages directors
VP of Advancement
$120K – $180K
President/CEO
Wider portfolio beyond just giving (common in higher ed)
Major Gifts Officer
$70K – $110K
Director of Philanthropy
Focused on one portfolio, not the full program
Here's the truth: At a small or mid-size nonprofit, "Director of Philanthropy" and "Director of Development" are often the same job with a different title. At larger orgs, the Director of Philanthropy role skews toward major gifts and strategic donor relationships, while the Director of Development covers the broader fundraising operation.
Types of director of philanthropy jobs
Directors of philanthropy don't just work at nonprofits. Hospitals, universities, museums, faith-based organizations, and community foundations all hire for this role — usually under different titles.
Here are the most common variations you'll see in job postings:
Type
Type
Type
Directors of Development
Community Outreach Coordinators
Public Relations Managers
Communications Managers
Marketing and Communication Managers
Outreach Coordinators
Communication Directors
Major Gift Officers
Director of Resource Development
Director of Philanthropic Services
Grants Managers
Director of Community Engagement
Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
Campaign Managers
Director of Foundation Relations
Community Managers
Director of Philanthropic Services
Director of Institutional Advancement
Top 12 must-have skills for directors of philanthropy
A successful director of philanthropy possesses a diverse set of skills, including both specialized knowledge and essential soft skills. Here are the top 12 must-have skills for directors of philanthropy:
Specialized skills:
Donor relations: Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors and foundations
Donor prospects: Expertise in identifying and securing major gifts that align with the organization's mission
Strategic planning: Proficiency in developing plans that support the nonprofit's objectives
Fund development: Skill in acquiring and growing resources through relationship-building
Event planning: Adept in organizing various events, from large-scale galas to smaller fundraisers
Fundraising: Knowledge of executing capital campaigns, annual giving programs, and special events
Soft skills:
Project management: Capacity to lead a team in completing projects on time and within budget while maintaining attention to detail
Organization: Ability to implement effective organizational strategies and manage multiple initiatives while meeting deadlines
Communication: Proficiency in building strong relationships with supporters and collaborating with board members, staff, and volunteers
Writing: Skill in crafting compelling press releases to enhance public and media relations and writing persuasive grant proposals to secure funding
Leadership: Aptitude for guiding the team toward achieving the organization's philanthropic goals and making strategic decisions
Problem-Solving: Capability to adapt to changing circumstances, think creatively, and develop innovative solutions to challenges
Free director of philanthropy job description template
Need to write a job posting for this role? We built a template you can copy to your clipboard or download as a file. It's ready to use — just fill in the brackets.
Two versions, depending on your org:
Director of Philanthropy — for mid-size nonprofits with a development team and a $3M+ budget
Small Nonprofit Variant — for orgs under $2M where this person is the primary (or only) fundraiser
Pick the tab that fits, then copy or download.
Job Title
Director of Philanthropy
Location:[City, State — or "Remote" / "Hybrid"]
Reports to:[Executive Director / VP of Advancement / CEO]
Direct reports:[e.g., Major Gifts Officer, Annual Fund Manager, Grants Writer, Development Coordinator]
About Your Organization
[Organization Name] is a [mission area, e.g., youth mentorship, hunger relief, arts education] nonprofit serving [community or region]. With an annual budget of [$X million] and a team of [X] staff, we've [key impact metric, e.g., "provided 200,000 meals" or "served 15,000 students"] since [founding year].
The Role
We're looking for a Director of Philanthropy to lead and grow our fundraising program. You'll own the full development strategy — from major gifts and annual campaigns to grants and corporate partnerships — and build the donor relationships that fuel our mission. This role is equal parts strategy and execution: you'll set the vision and roll up your sleeves to make it happen.
What You'll Do
Lead fundraising strategy: Design and execute a comprehensive development plan targeting [$X] in annual revenue across major gifts, annual fund, grants, corporate sponsors, and events.
Build donor relationships: Personally manage a portfolio of [75–150] major gift prospects. Cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at the $10K+ level.
Grow the team: Hire, mentor, and lead a development team of [X]. Set clear goals, build a culture of accountability, and invest in professional growth.
Drive campaigns: Plan and execute annual giving campaigns, capital campaigns, and special fundraising initiatives. Set targets, track progress, and report results to leadership.
Manage grants: Oversee the grants pipeline — prospecting, writing, and reporting. Maintain relationships with foundation and government funders.
Strengthen corporate partnerships: Identify and grow sponsorship, cause marketing, and employee giving opportunities with corporate partners.
Own the data: Maintain donor records and pipeline in [CRM name, e.g., Bloomerang, Salesforce, Zeffy]. Use data to segment donors, forecast revenue, and measure ROI on fundraising activities.
Partner with leadership: Work closely with the Executive Director and Board to align fundraising with organizational strategy. Prepare board reports and support board members in their fundraising roles.
Represent the org: Serve as a visible ambassador at community events, donor meetings, and industry conferences.
What You Bring
Experience: 7+ years in nonprofit fundraising or development, with at least 3 years managing a team. Proven track record of personally closing five- and six-figure gifts.
Education: Bachelor's degree required. CFRE certification or Master's in Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field is a plus.
Fundraising depth: Hands-on experience across major gifts, annual giving, grants, events, and corporate partnerships. You've built or significantly grown a fundraising program before.
Donor instinct: You know how to read a room, build trust, and move a prospect from interest to investment. Stewardship isn't an afterthought — it's how you keep donors engaged for the long haul.
CRM fluency: Comfortable using donor management tools to track relationships, forecast revenue, and segment outreach. Experience with [Bloomerang, Salesforce, Zeffy, etc.] preferred.
Communication: Strong writer and compelling storyteller — you can craft a grant proposal, a donor appeal letter, and a board presentation with equal confidence.
Mission alignment: Genuine passion for [mission area] and a commitment to equity and inclusion in fundraising practices.
Compensation
Salary: [$90,000 – $140,000], depending on experience and organizational budget. Benefits include [health insurance, retirement match, PTO, professional development stipend, flexible schedule, etc.].
How to Apply
Send your resume and a cover letter to [email or application link]. In your cover letter, tell us about a fundraising win you're proud of and what drew you to our mission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Questions? Reach out to [contact name and email].
Why This Role Matters
Every dollar you raise goes directly to [specific impact: "feeding families," "mentoring students," "protecting wildlife habitat"]. As Director of Philanthropy, you're not just filling a pipeline — you're building the financial foundation that keeps the mission running. If you're a relationship-builder who gets energized by connecting people to causes they care about, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Title
Director of Philanthropy — Small Nonprofit
Location:[City, State — or "Remote" / "Hybrid"]
Reports to: Executive Director
Team size:[Solo or 1–2 direct reports + volunteers]
About Your Organization
[Organization Name] is a [mission area] nonprofit with an annual budget of [$250K – $2M]. We're a small team — [X] staff members and a dedicated group of volunteers — doing work that punches way above our size. We've [key impact, e.g., "served 5,000 families" or "awarded 200 scholarships"] and we're ready to grow our fundraising to match our ambition.
The Role
We need someone who can own fundraising from top to bottom. In a small org, the Director of Philanthropy isn't just setting strategy — you're writing the grant, meeting the donor for coffee, updating the CRM, and planning the gala. If you thrive with autonomy and aren't afraid to build systems from scratch, this is your role.
What You'll Do
Own the fundraising plan: Create and execute an annual development plan targeting [$X] in revenue. You'll manage the full mix — individual donors, grants, events, online giving, and corporate sponsors.
Be the primary fundraiser: In a small org, you are the development team. You'll personally cultivate major donors, write grant proposals, run campaigns, and manage donor communications. Expect to be responsible for 70–90% of revenue generation.
Build the donor base: Grow our donor pipeline from [current size]. Identify new prospects, convert first-time donors into recurring givers, and design stewardship touches that keep supporters engaged — without a big budget.
Run events on a lean budget: Plan and execute 2–4 fundraising events per year — galas, peer-to-peer campaigns, online auctions, or community events. Use free and low-cost tools to maximize net revenue.
Manage grants end-to-end: Research foundations, write proposals, track deadlines, and submit reports. You'll manage the full grant lifecycle without a dedicated grants writer.
Keep the data clean: Maintain donor records in [CRM, e.g., Zeffy, Bloomerang, or even a spreadsheet]. Track giving history, segment for outreach, and pull reports for the board.
Partner with the ED and board: Prepare board fundraising updates, coach board members on their donor outreach roles, and help recruit fundraising-minded board members as the org grows.
Tell the story: Write donor appeals, thank-you letters, email newsletters, and social media content that connects supporters to your mission. You don't need a marketing degree — just the ability to write like a real person about work that matters.
What You Bring
Experience: 3–7 years in nonprofit fundraising or development. You've worked in a small or mid-size org before and know what "wearing multiple hats" actually looks like.
Education: Bachelor's degree required. CFRE or relevant certifications are a plus, but practical fundraising results matter more than credentials.
Fundraising range: You've done major gifts, grants, events, and annual campaigns — maybe not all at once, but you've touched each one. You're comfortable being a generalist.
Scrappy mindset: You don't wait for a budget line to get things done. You find free tools, build relationships on coffee meetings, and figure out how to raise more with less.
Writing chops: Strong writer who can draft a compelling grant proposal, a warm donor thank-you, and a board report in the same week.
Tech comfort: You can manage a CRM, run an email campaign, and use online fundraising tools without an IT department. Experience with platforms like Zeffy, Mailchimp, or Canva is a plus.
Mission-first attitude: You care about [mission area] and want to be somewhere your work directly moves the needle.
Compensation
Salary: [$60,000 – $95,000], depending on experience and budget. Benefits include [health insurance, PTO, flexible schedule, professional development, etc.].
How to Apply
Send your resume and a short cover letter to [email or link]. Tell us about a time you built something from scratch in fundraising — a program, a campaign, a donor pipeline. We care more about what you've done than where you went to school. Questions? Email [contact name].
Why This Role Matters
In a small nonprofit, the Director of Philanthropy isn't a cog in a machine — you're the engine. Every dollar you raise goes straight to [specific impact]. You'll see the results of your work in real time, not in a quarterly report. If you want to build something meaningful at an org where your effort directly shapes the mission, this is it.
Starting a new role? Set up fundraising in minutes — with zero fees.
Whether you're hiring a Director of Philanthropy or stepping into the role yourself, the job comes down to three things: a clear strategy, strong donor relationships, and a team that's set up to execute.
If you're posting the role, grab the free template above and get your listing live. And once your new director is on board, give them tools that don't eat into the money they're raising.
Zeffy is 100% free for nonprofits. No platform fees, no transaction fees, no credit card fees. Every dollar your Director of Philanthropy raises goes directly to your mission.
What are the qualifications of a director of philanthropy?
Most organizations require a bachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, or a related field, plus several years of hands-on fundraising experience. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are non-negotiable. A CFRE certification helps but isn't always required — especially at smaller orgs where results matter more than credentials.
How does a director of philanthropy differ from a development director?
They overlap a lot. A Director of Philanthropy typically focuses on strategic planning and major donor relationships, while a Director of Development may handle a wider range of activities including annual campaigns, grants, events, and sometimes marketing. At small nonprofits, it's usually the same role with a different name.
What is the difference between a director of philanthropy and a fundraising manager?
A Director of Philanthropy owns the overall fundraising strategy and donor relationships. A fundraising manager handles the day-to-day execution of specific campaigns. The director sets the direction; the manager runs the plays.
What are the challenges faced by a director of philanthropy?
The biggest ones:
Hitting fundraising targets, especially during economic downturns when donors pull back
Finding and engaging new donors in a crowded landscape
Keeping existing donors engaged year after year (retention is harder than acquisition)
Balancing strategy with execution — especially at small orgs where you're doing both
What is the difference between a director of philanthropy and an executive director?
A Director of Philanthropy focuses specifically on fundraising and donor relationships. An Executive Director runs the entire organization — programs, finances, staff, board relations, everything. The Director of Philanthropy typically reports to the ED.
How much does a director of philanthropy make?
The average is $117,390 per year in the U.S. (Indeed, 2025). Entry-level positions start around $70,000. Experienced directors at large nonprofits can earn $140,000–$165,000. Your salary depends mostly on org size, location, and how much revenue you're responsible for raising.
What tools does a director of philanthropy need?
At minimum: a donor management CRM, an email marketing platform, and a fundraising tool for processing donations and events. A lot of small and mid-size nonprofits use an all-in-one platform like Zeffy — it handles donations, ticketing, peer-to-peer campaigns, and donor management with zero fees. You'll also want something for grant tracking and basic board reporting.
The only 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Keep reading :
Nonprofit guides
Executive Director Job Description 2024: 5 Key Responsibilities to Know About
Discover the responsibilities of an executive director in a nonprofit. Read on to find the three vital skills to develop to be the best executive director.
Look for people who attend related events, follow relevant Facebook groups, or subscribe to aligned newsletters.These aren’t just potential donors—they’re your future advocates.
Look for people who attend related events, follow relevant Facebook groups, or subscribe to aligned newsletters.These aren’t just potential donors—they’re your future advocates.
.webp)
