Nous utilisons des cookies pour améliorer votre expérience sur notre plateforme. En cliquant sur "Accepter tous les cookies", vous acceptez que des cookies soient stockés sur votre appareil afin d'améliorer la navigation sur le site, d'analyser l'utilisation du site et de nous aider dans nos efforts de marketing.
Cookies nécessaires à la fonctionnalité de base du site web.
Cookies utilisés pour fournir le contenu le plus pertinent pour vous et vos besoins.
Cookies utilisés pour fournir le contenu le plus pertinent pour vous et vos besoins.
Cookies qui aident à comprendre les performances du site web, la façon dont les utilisateurs interagissent avec lui et à identifier les bogues.
Comment Zeffy peut être gratuit ?
Comment Zeffy peut être gratuit ?
Zeffy dépend entièrement des contributions optionnelles des donateurs. Lors de la confirmation du paiement, nous demandons aux donateurs de laisser une contribution optionnelles à Zeffy.
Director of Philanthropy: Jobs, Salary, Skills & Job Description Template
April 10, 2026
A director of philanthropy leads fundraising, builds donor relationships, and makes sure a nonprofit has the financial support it needs to keep doing its work. It's one of the hardest — and most important — roles in the sector.
⚡TL;DR — Director of Philanthropy at a Glance
What they do: Lead fundraising strategy, manage donor relationships, and own revenue goals
Average salary: $119,054/year (range: $85K–$165K+ depending on org size and location)
Typical path: 6–10 years from entry-level fundraising roles to director-level leadership
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.
Que font les directeurs de la philanthropie au quotidien ?
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:
Planifier des événements et des activités de sensibilisation de la communauté afin d'établir des relations avec les donateurs individuels, les entreprises et les fondations.
Planifier et mettre en œuvre une structure financière durable pour l'organisation à but non lucratif
Élaborer des stratégies de collecte de fonds, de sensibilisation de la communauté et de relations publiques.
Lead and empower staff and board members to take part in philanthropic activities
Coordonner les demandes de financement et préparer les documents destinés aux donateurs en collaborant avec les parties prenantes.
Élaborer et maintenir un budget annuel lié à la philanthropie et à la communication
Servir de communicateur principal pour toutes les parties prenantes de la structure de l'organisation à but non lucratif.
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 (2026 data)
According to Indeed's 2026 data, the average director of philanthropy salary in the U.S. is $119,054 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
Directeur de la philanthropie
$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
Directeur de la philanthropie
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 d'emplois de directeur de la philanthropie
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:
Director of Development — the most common equivalent; broader scope including events, grants, and annual fund
Director of Advancement — common in higher education and healthcare systems
Director of Donor Relations — focused on stewardship and retention of existing donors
Director of Institutional Advancement — often seen at universities and large foundations
Director of Foundation Relations — specialized in grants and institutional funding
Major Gifts Officer — focused on managing a high-value donor portfolio (typically reports to the director)
Chief Development Officer (CDO) — senior-level role overseeing the entire development function; one step above director
Les 12 compétences indispensables aux directeurs de la philanthropie
Un directeur philanthropique qui réussit possède un ensemble varié de compétences, comprenant à la fois des connaissances spécialisées et des compétences non techniques essentielles. Voici les 12 compétences les plus importantes que doivent posséder les directeurs de la philanthropie :
Compétences spécialisées :
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
Compétences non techniques :
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 $2M where this person is the primary (or only) fundraiser
Pick the tab that fits, then copy or download.
Intitulé du poste
Directeur de la philanthropie
Lieu :[Ville, État — ou « À distance » / « Hybride »]
Reports to:[Executive Director / VP of Advancement / CEO]
Direct reports:[e.g., Major Gifts Officer, Annual Fund Manager, Grants Writer, Development Coordinator]
About Your Organization
[Organization Name] is a [mission area, e.g., youth mentorship, hunger relief, arts education] nonprofit serving [community or region]. With an annual budget of [$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.
Rémunération
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.
Intitulé du poste
Director of Philanthropy — Small Nonprofit
Lieu :[Ville, État — ou « À distance » / « Hybride »]
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.
Rémunération
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The average is $119,054 per year in the U.S. (Indeed, 2026). 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.
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.
La seule plateforme de collecte de fonds 100 % gratuitepour les organisations à but non lucratif
Collectez des fonds avec Zeffy. 100% gratuit, pour toujours.
Merci ! Votre demande a été reçue !
Oups ! Un problème est survenu lors de la soumission du formulaire.
Continuez à lire :
Guides sur les organisations à but non lucratif
Description du poste de directeur exécutif 2024 : 5 responsabilités clés à connaître
Découvrez les responsabilités d'un directeur exécutif au sein d'une organisation à but non lucratif. Lisez la suite pour découvrir les trois compétences vitales à développer pour être le meilleur directeur exécutif.
Comment gérer une organisation à but non lucratif en 2024 : Meilleures pratiques et conseils
Amplifiez votre impact grâce à ces 7 stratégies testées pour gérer une organisation à but non lucratif. Découvrez la gestion financière, la création d'un entonnoir de financement, et bien plus encore !
Zeffy est 100% gratuit et le sera toujours. (Nous couvrons même les frais de transaction.) Inscrivez-vous et commencez à collecter des fonds gratuitement dès aujourd'hui.
With Zeffy, 100% of the money you raise goes to your cause. <br>No credit card fees. No platform fees. No fees period.
Saviez-vous que
Collecter des dons sans frais
With Zeffy, 100% of the money you raise goes to your cause. <br>No credit card fees. No platform fees. No fees period.
Des informations sur plus de 100 millions de dollars de transactions mensuelles
Des gains rapides pour vous :
Recherchez des personnes qui assistent à des événements connexes, suivent des groupes Facebook pertinents ou s'abonnent à des bulletins d'information alignés.
Recherchez des personnes qui assistent à des événements connexes, suivent des groupes Facebook pertinents ou s'abonnent à des bulletins d'information alignés.
Comment Loose Ends a transformé les économies de frais en impact sur la mission
$1,715
sauvegardé
1
nouvelle embauche
2500+
projets textiles finis
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Il s'agit d'un texte à l'intérieur d'un bloc div.
Rubrique
Rubrique
Rubrique
Rubrique
Rubrique
Toujours dire merci Chaque donateur reçoit un e-mail de remerciement automatique et personnalisé dès qu'il fait un don. C'est rapide, personnel et totalement indépendant.
.webp)
