Philanthropy Officer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Philanthropy Officer roles at U.S. foundations, universities, and nonprofits qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, making employer sponsorship achievable for international candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree. Many large nonprofits and research universities file LCAs regularly for development and fundraising professionals.
Find Philanthropy Officer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Philanthropy Officer jobs










See all Philanthropy Officer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Philanthropy Officer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Title: Philanthropy Officer Senior-Major Gifts
Requisition Number: RE56450
Working Title: Director of Philanthropy - Departments Centers & Institutes
Department Name: 14000:Office Of Philanthropy
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 48
Salary Range: $64,210-105,914/year
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education:
BA
Required Related Experience:
7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification:
None
Physical Requirements:
Extended periods of sitting and standing; repetitive motion tasks; standing and/or walking with up to 10 lbs. This position may require traveling around the city and region for donor meetings.
Shift:
Primarily Monday through Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends per departmental needs.
Job Summary:
The University of Kentucky’s Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is seeking a Director of Philanthropy – Departments, Centers and Institutes, a frontline fundraiser who will play a pivotal role in advancing one of the nation’s leading academic health systems. This position offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact on patient care, medical research, and education by securing major philanthropic investments. The Director of Philanthropy will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, cultivating long-term relationships that lead to significant philanthropic support. Working in close collaboration with faculty leaders, department chairs, and colleagues across UK HealthCare and PAE, the Director will translate complex medical and research priorities into compelling cases for support.
This individual will:
- Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans to achieve annual and long-term goals.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects (typically $25,000+).
- Conduct high-impact donor visits and prepare customized proposals.
- Partner with medical faculty, leadership, and administrative colleagues to align philanthropic priorities with institutional needs.
- Represent the University of Kentucky as an ambassador for innovation, compassion, and discovery in health care.
We’re seeking a mission-driven relationship builder who brings: A proven record of success in major gift fundraising, preferably in healthcare, higher education, or complex nonprofit environments. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to inspire donors around life-changing programs and research. Strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity, and professional integrity. A collaborative approach that thrives within a values-based culture.
The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
By applying for a position within UK PAE, you are indicating your commitment and expressing your agreement to our six values. It is important you share these values in order to be part of our committed team!
Why UK? UK HealthCare is home to cutting-edge medical innovation, world-class faculty, and nationally recognized clinical programs. As part of our philanthropy team, you’ll help advance the work of experts —ensuring that Kentucky families have access to leading-edge care close to home.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
The ability to work within a complex healthcare environment, navigating a matrix of relationships to engage donors in the mission of UK and our various programs; outstanding written and oral communication skills; superior interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to work effectively and cooperatively with volunteers, administration, physicians, staff, and donors; self-motivation with enormous energy and a capacity for hard work in a goal-oriented environment; demonstrated ability to leverage effectively the time of physicians and others in contact with donors. This includes strong preparation and good judgement; maturity and unquestioned integrity, particularly as it relates to patient medical information; must comply with HIPPA privacy law; the ability to travel to meet with current and prospective donors; a commitment to the values and mission of the University of Kentucky.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree and at least 7 years of philanthropic experience preferred.
Deadline to Apply:
11/29/2026
Our University Community:
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
See all Philanthropy Officer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Philanthropy Officer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Philanthropy Officer Jobs
Frame your degree as directly relevant
Philanthropy Officer roles require a specialty occupation showing: a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, or a related field. A business or communications degree works if your coursework directly supports fundraising or grant management.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to find U.S. employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for development and fundraising roles. Universities, hospital foundations, and large national nonprofits file most consistently and are your strongest targets.
Distinguish foundation types before applying
Private foundations and community foundations handle sponsorship differently. Community foundations often have HR infrastructure to support H-1B filings; small private foundations may lack it entirely. Focus your outreach on organizations with dedicated HR or legal teams.
Get your OFLC Wage Search lookup right
Philanthropy Officer roles map to Fundraisers in DOL's wage system. Run the OFLC Wage Search using the correct occupational category before negotiations so you know the prevailing wage floor your employer must certify on the LCA.
Prepare grant portfolio documentation early
USCIS adjudicators evaluate whether the role genuinely requires a specialized degree. Compile a portfolio showing complex grant writing, donor strategy, or program evaluation work that demonstrates the role goes beyond general fundraising coordination.
Clarify sponsorship intent before the offer stage
Nonprofits sometimes assume sponsorship costs are prohibitive and don't raise it. Bring up H-1B sponsorship during the second interview round, not after an offer, so both sides have time to confirm organizational willingness before you invest further in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Philanthropy Officer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates whether the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Philanthropy Officer roles at universities, hospital foundations, and large nonprofits typically qualify because they involve grant strategy, program evaluation, and donor relations requiring specialized academic training in nonprofit management, public administration, or a related discipline.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor a Philanthropy Officer?
Universities and academic medical centers are the most consistent sponsors because they're cap-exempt for H-1B purposes and file petitions year-round without lottery constraints. Large national nonprofits with established HR departments are your next best targets. Migrate Mate shows verified sponsorship history by employer so you can identify which organizations have filed for roles in this field.
What degree do I need to qualify for H-1B sponsorship as a Philanthropy Officer?
A bachelor's degree or higher in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, business, communications, or a closely related field is typically sufficient. The key is demonstrating that your degree directly relates to the duties of the role. USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence if the degree field is not an obvious match, so your employer's attorney should address any gap proactively in the petition.
Can a small nonprofit sponsor me for an H-1B visa?
Technically yes, but practically it's difficult. Small nonprofits often lack the HR infrastructure and legal budget to manage H-1B filings, which involve LCA certification with DOL, I-129 petition preparation, and prevailing wage compliance. If a small organization is otherwise a strong fit, ask whether they have immigration counsel on retainer or are willing to engage one before you proceed.
Does the H-1B cap apply to Philanthropy Officer roles at nonprofits?
It depends on the employer. Philanthropy Officers hired by universities, nonprofit university-affiliated research organizations, and certain government research institutions are cap-exempt, meaning the employer can file an H-1B petition at any time without waiting for the annual lottery. Roles at standalone nonprofits that don't meet the cap-exempt criteria are subject to the standard annual cap and lottery process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Philanthropy Officer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.