Head of Philanthropy Jobs

Head of Philanthropy jobs are open across nonprofits, foundations, universities, and healthcare systems, from director-level to chief giving officer, with specializations in major gifts, planned giving, and institutional fundraising strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles188+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerProvidence
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Work type59% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 188+ Head of Philanthropy jobs

Director of Philanthropy, Greater Manchester Region
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New 16h ago
Director of Philanthropy, Greater Manchester Region
Hartford HealthCare
Manchester, Connecticut
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in communications
10,000+

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Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
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New 19h ago
Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Partnerships & Business Development
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Business Development
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement-IRVINE/ORANGE COUNTY
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Added 1d ago
Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement-IRVINE/ORANGE COUNTY
Inland Respite, Inc.
Irvine, California
Business Development
Customer Service
Customer Success
$130k - $175k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in communications

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Director of Philanthropy
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Added 1d ago
Director of Philanthropy
Shriners Children's
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Strategy & Corporate Development
Master's degree
5,001-10,000

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Assistant Director Digital Philanthropy
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Added 2d ago
Assistant Director Digital Philanthropy
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, Texas
Brand Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
Bachelor's degree in communications
501-1,000

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Head of Philanthropy Jobs by Experience Level

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Head of Philanthropy Job Market

Who's Hiring

Providence6 open roles
City of Hope4 open roles
Endeavor Health4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Science & Research
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Non-Profit & Social Services

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in head of philanthropy jobs.

  • 7 or more years of major gifts or frontline fundraising experience
  • Demonstrated success closing six- or seven-figure gifts from individual donors
  • Experience managing a team of gift officers or development staff
  • Proficiency with donor management platforms such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce Nonprofit
  • Bachelor's degree required, with advanced degree or CFRE credential preferred
  • Experience building or leading a comprehensive planned giving program

Tips for Your Head of Philanthropy Job Search

Quantify your fundraising portfolio results

Hiring committees for head of philanthropy roles want to see gift totals raised, donor retention rates, and campaign outcomes. Replace vague descriptions like 'led major gifts program' with concrete figures tied to specific fiscal years or campaigns.

Align your resume to the institution's mission

Foundations focused on education, health equity, or the arts evaluate candidates partly on mission fit. Tailor your resume summary to reflect the organization's cause area and donor community, not just your functional fundraising skills.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists head of philanthropy openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target organizations in an active campaign phase

Institutions mid-campaign or preparing a capital campaign hire heads of philanthropy with urgency. Look for employers that have recently announced a campaign, endowment goal, or major expansion, as these postings carry real hiring momentum.

Prepare a donor stewardship philosophy statement

Many interviews at this level ask how you approach major donor relationships and long-term stewardship. Having a clear, practiced answer that connects cultivation strategy to institutional values signals seniority and distinguishes you from transactional fundraisers.

Negotiate scope before discussing compensation

Head of philanthropy roles vary widely in portfolio size, team structure, and board engagement. Before compensation comes up, clarify the giving program's current state, annual targets, and what authority the role carries over strategy and staffing.

Head of Philanthropy Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most head of philanthropys?

The most active employers for head of philanthropys right now are Providence, City of Hope, and Endeavor Health, and the most openings are in California, Florida, and North Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Universities, health systems, and large community foundations tend to post these roles most consistently throughout the year.

How many head of philanthropy jobs are remote?

About 68% of head of philanthropy openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the role's reliance on major donor cultivation means fully remote positions are less common than in other senior roles. Planned giving and foundation strategy positions tend to offer the most schedule flexibility.

How do you become a head of philanthropy?

Most heads of philanthropy start in frontline major gifts, building a portfolio of individual donors and closing significant gifts over several years. From there, the path typically involves managing a small team of gift officers, taking ownership of a giving program's strategy, and demonstrating the ability to work with boards and institutional leadership. Earning a CFRE credential and developing expertise in planned giving or campaign management strengthens candidacy for the top role.

Can you get a head of philanthropy job without direct leadership experience?

It's possible if you've led a giving program in practice even without a formal management title. Organizations at smaller institutions or those rebuilding their development function sometimes hire a strong major gifts officer into the head role when they can see clear evidence of strategic thinking, board engagement, and donor portfolio growth. Framing your resume around the outcomes and scope of your work, rather than your title alone, matters more than a linear management path.

What does the head of philanthropy interview process look like?

The process typically runs three to four rounds. An initial screening with HR or a search committee is followed by a deeper conversation with the chief development officer or CEO about fundraising philosophy and leadership approach. Finalists usually present to the board or a small committee, and many institutions ask for a written entry plan or a discussion of how you'd assess the existing giving program in your first few months.

Where can I find and apply to head of philanthropy jobs?

You can find and apply to head of philanthropy jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing from the page.

See All 188+ Head of Philanthropy Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Head of Philanthropy Jobs