Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Working at the Vermont Community Foundation 

For more than 35 years, the Vermont Community Foundation has served Vermonters and their families through philanthropy and building stronger communities. Our mission—Better Together: inspiring giving and bringing together people and resources to make a difference in Vermont—provides the bedrock for our workplace culture. Our employees are passionate about making a difference every day. We approach our work with curiosity, respect, and integrity, and believe in collaboration, equity, and diversity. When you join our team, your work will matter.   

Position Overview 

As a senior member of the philanthropic advising team, this position is key to integrating the Vermont Community Foundation’s (VCF) approach to philanthropy by engaging with targeted networks throughout Vermont. The primary goal of the senior philanthropic advisor is to increase the impact of the Foundation’s giving by attracting new fundholders and donors. This will be accomplished through outreach and networking with prospects, community leaders, nonprofits, attorneys, wealth advisors, and current fundholders. The advisor will focus on closing new funds and gifts to the VCF, while maintaining a portfolio of existing fundholders. In addition, the senior philanthropic advisor is responsible for leading strategic internal initiatives, including developing a cohesive social impact charitable fund strategy as well as cross-team work to increase and enable scale and sustainability.  

Essential Responsibilities 

This position is a key member of the Philanthropy Team that creates, implements, and evaluates new business and growth strategies. This role provides excellent donor stewardship, connecting donors with causes that coalesce and inspire charitable giving, and is expected to be out in the community meeting with philanthropists, nonprofits, and community leaders.  

Growth Focus 

• Grow the number of new fundholders through regular engagement with key social networks of existing fundholders, prospective fundholders, professional advisors, nonprofits, community foundation members, and community leaders.   
• Develop relationships and programs that support the long-term future of VCF by securing major new charitable funds and supporting organizations.   
• Cultivate nonprofit organizations to establish nonprofit endowment and reserve funds at VCF. This includes outreach and networking, including presentations to staff, boards, and committees.   
• Manage a portfolio of VCF’s most engaged fundholders, working with them to strengthen their philanthropic strategy through learning, leadership opportunities, and planned giving.  
• Engage fundholders to give to the Philanthropic Leadership Fund (PLF), which supports the innovation and development of the VCF’s leadership activities.  

Program Focus: Social Impact Charitable Fund / Mission Investing  

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of a mission investing program that aligns philanthropic capital with community impact. 
• Set goals, priorities, and success metrics for the mission investment program. 
• Develop and manage a pipeline of mission investment opportunities, collaborating with investment and finance teams on due diligence and impact tracking. 
• Work with our marketing and communications team to create marketing and educational materials promoting mission investing to fundholders and prospects.  
• Serve as a public spokesperson and thought leader for the VCF’s mission investing work at events, panels, and speaking engagements. 

Program Focus: Professional Advisors / Planned Giving  

• Help develop and implement innovative strategies that connect the VCF with professional advisors (tax, legal, financial, and investment) who are essential to establishing and maintaining relationships with current and prospective fundholders. 
• Set goals and priorities that advance the professional advisor program. 
• Help promote the planned giving partnership with nonprofits. 
• Promote and support planned giving efforts for the VCF.  

Key Competencies 

Our organization’s culture is designed to inspire and empower employees to do their best work every day. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and positive workplace. In keeping with our core values, we are seeking team players who bring the skills and qualifications listed below and who value collaboration, diverse perspectives, and community.?The following competencies are vital: 

• Experienced fundraiser with a proven track record of managing a diverse portfolio and setting and achieving asset development goals.  
• Ability to meet confidently with philanthropists. 
• Strong familiarity with the challenges of wealth, philanthropy, and the power and privilege associated. 
• Ability to interact respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures to ensure philanthropy benefits all Vermonters with a keen awareness of systemic issues. 
• Experience working with board members, nonprofit organizations, and donors. 
• Trust builder with personal authenticity. 
• Ability to listen and ask questions with thoughtfulness and curiosity.  
• Demonstrated innovative strategic thinking and planning skills. 
• Ability to engage in self-observation and improvement. 
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Strong public speaking experience and skills. 
• Personal enthusiasm for and commitment to philanthropy. 
• Knowledge of the Vermont nonprofit sector, community leaders, and local geography. 
• Ability to work regular business hours and attend evening meetings and events, and a willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout Vermont with occasional overnights. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.  

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree a plus. 
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience, including in the nonprofit sector.  
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in fundraising, managing donor relationships, or experience in a similar field with transferable skills. 
• Experience with charitable planned giving is highly desirable.  
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and on a team. 
• Strong familiarity with donor databases.  
• Experience with charitable planned giving, nonprofit organizations, grant proposals, and funding decisions is a plus.  

Location: This position is considered remote with the requirement to travel across Vermont for meetings, including VCF offices in Burlington and Middlebury. 

The Vermont Community Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, age, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, place of birth, citizenship, military or veteran status, HIV status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected status as defined and required by state and federal laws.