Philanthropic Advisor – Philanthropic Partnerships

Position:                              Regular, Fulltime, Exempt

Reports to:                          General Counsel & Vice President, Advancement

Date Revised:                    December 2022

Summary:  The Philanthropic Advisor is responsible for the development and execution of strategic cultivation and fundraising activities that contributes to the growth of the foundation’s endowment.  Racial equity and inclusion are the primary focus when executing the responsibilities of this position.

Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes:

• Interacts daily with external constituents with a primary focus on the cultivation of relationships with professional advisors, corporations, non-profit organizations, individuals, and families to establish new funds and/or planned gifts that meet each donor’s philanthropic goals and in furtherance of the foundation’s advancement efforts.

• Provides information and technical assistance to professional advisors and/or their clients, and the foundation’s organizational fund partners and donors, regarding current and planned gift opportunities including bequests, CRTs, CLTs, CGAs, and insurance, as well as current gifts of complex assets such as real estate and closely held units with the assistance of the General Counsel and Vice President, Advancement.

• Continues to refine a suite of corporate philanthropy services to be offered to local corporate organizations.

• Collaborates with Philanthropic Services team to secure new and additional contributions and planned gifts from prospective and existing donors and organization fund partners.

• Stays current on legal, accounting and investment issues with a particular emphasis on charitable giving, charitable trusts, deferred gifts, tax exempt organizations, private foundations, donor advised funds and supporting.

• Reaches out and represents the foundation at community, donor, professional advisor, organizational fund partner, and private foundation fund partner functions.

• Collaborates with cross-disciplinary teams as needed to enhance the foundation’s advancement activities in support of the foundation’s strategic plan.

• Executes other duties as assigned by the SVP, Advancement and General Counsel & VP, Advancement. 

Essential Qualifications, Credentials and Technical Skills required:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Master’s degree, law degree, CPA, CFP or other similar credentials welcomed.

• Five-to-seven years of experience in a high-touch service environment focused on providing professional advice and personal service to a diverse range of visible and important clients.

• Knowledge of fundraising, deferred giving, and philanthropy with the ability to intelligently assist donors and prospects in formulating plans, goals and/or strategies for their philanthropic giving.

• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and interact effectively with existing and prospective donors, community leaders, professional advisors and representatives from non-profit organizations based upon their preferred locations and schedules, including occasional meetings during evenings or weekends.

• Ability to think creatively and find new and innovative approaches to reaching out to prospects, donors, funders and the community-at-large. Proactive, takes initiative, and self-motivated in managing an ongoing portfolio of prospects with regular and consistent in-person meetings.

• Commitment to a donor-centric culture, excellent customer service, and integrity and ethics.

• High degree of organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and prioritize work effectively and adjust to multiple demands within set deadlines.

• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to educate and persuade audiences.

• Exceptional written communication skills and ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate discussion on topics that are potentially sensitive, challenging or could otherwise inspire passionate responses that are different than your own.

• Aligned with foundation values and commitment to fostering a positive office culture. Demonstrated passion for and commitment to diversity/racial equity and inclusion. Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons and communities from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds and age groups.

• Proven ability to promote teamwork and collaboration among peers, both departmentally and throughout an organization.

• Proficiency in utilizing technology to conduct research, provide information and/or services. Intermediate proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs and working knowledge of database programs.

Other Highly Desirable Qualifications Include:

• Knowledge of the Greater Cleveland community and civic environment.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

The Cleveland Foundation exists to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Greater Cleveland. The ability to carry out our mission and to foster our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion can best be pursued if our workforce, grantees, donors, partners, and governing body are inclusive of individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives.

We believe that diversity encompasses, but is not limited to, age, color, education, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental abilities or characteristics, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and/or other characteristics that make an individual unique. The Cleveland Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunities for all.

PAY AND BENEFITS: 

Based on the foundation's compensation program, estimated annual salary for this position may be anywhere between $86,500 and $105,000, based on the academic, professional and community experiences and credentials of a candidate.

The foundation offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental, vision, identity theft, and life and disability coverage, a comprehensive wellness program, an employee assistance program, a fully vested 403(b) retirement plan, ten paid holidays and, for exempt positions, 15 days of vacation and 12 sick days, prorated the first year of service based on date of hire.

TO APPLY:

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume and cover as soon as possible via this link:  Apply Here. This posting will remain active until the position is filled. We regret that we cannot respond personally to each applicant.

Note: Hours worked will be largely remote, until we move into our new headquarters building early in 2023. The Cleveland Foundation requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide valid proof of vaccination unless a documented medical or religious exemption is approved. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.