Chief Philanthropy Officer

About the Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity and the Gender Equity Action Fund

The Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity (CGRE) is a dynamic learning community of donors and foundations united in the advancement of gender, reproductive, and racial equity. CGRE provides funding to unite advocates across issue silos; defend gender, reproductive, and racial equity; and work towards a future where every person has the resources and autonomy to thrive. CGRE’s Advisory Committee of funders learn together with field experts, amplifying the impact of their giving, and accelerating change in five-year increments. CGRE’s approach focuses on four core areas of work: State Power-Building, Judicial Strategy, The Alliance Table, and Response to Opportunity. Since launching five years ago, CGRE has deployed over $200 million in funding to grantee partners, half of which are led by women of color.

The Gender Equity Action Fund (GEAF) is an independent, aligned 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to advancing gender, reproductive, and racial equity through state-centered investments that build people power to drive transformative policy. GEAF’s approach centers investing in power-building programs at the state level, particularly those representing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities working on voter mobilization and policy change, and on opportunities to establish a nonpartisan judiciary that supports gender, reproductive, and racial equity. GEAF is guided by a committed community of engaged donors and leading field experts who serve on its Advisory Board, bringing together the expertise and passion needed to shape its impactful initiatives.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Philanthropy Officer will support both CGRE and GEAF (both fully virtual organizations). Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for CGRE, is the hiring entity.

Learn more at cgre.org and geaf.org.

The Opportunity

The Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) will be joining CGRE and GEAF at a pivotal moment for protecting and advancing gender, reproductive, and racial equity in the United States. They will play a critical role in advancing CGRE and GEAF’s next five-year strategy, working to raise new funds and expand the circle of funders participating in the Collaboratives. The role is instrumental in stewarding those already committed to this work and engaging new donors new to these issues to learn more about the field.

The Chief Philanthropy Officer is a priority hire with room to shape the role and donor engagement for the future. They will review the work accomplished to date, then apply a keen strategic eye to planning the next phase of fundraising for CGRE and GEAF that inspires ongoing commitment and ample opportunities for new participation. Working closely with the Executive Director, the CPO will be able to be creative and propose new approaches to engage donors more deeply with the issues.

An unparalleled asset for this CPO are the Collaboratives themselves, two highly motivated groups of principals who understand the importance of the issues and their role in inviting new donors to the table. The Chief Philanthropy Officer will prioritize relationship-building with the participating donors in order to support an effective peer-to-peer fundraising strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Donor Stewardship

• Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for CGRE and GEAF that engages existing donors and outlines plans for soliciting and stewarding a minimum of 10-15 new six- and seven-figure funders in the next three years.
• Ensure the sustainability and growth of CGRE and GEAF by directly cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 20+ donors, comprising exclusively six- and seven-figure gifts; leveraging peer-to-peer learning opportunities; implementing tiered engagement strategies to enhance donor relationships; driving continued support from current donors; and building support among new donors.
• Optimize existing systems, including the Salesforce CRM, and establish new systems and processes for managing high-touch fundraising efforts.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as CGRE and GEAF’s in-house philanthropic expert, fostering a culture of philanthropy and excellence among senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Manage the Senior Philanthropy + Communications Specialist and external consultants providing critical specialist support; hire and manage new staff as the team grows.
• Ensure complete alignment with the mission and values of CGRE and GEAF, particularly in fundraising and donor engagement, while maintaining a current and forward-facing perspective on gender, reproductive, and racial equity.
• Be an active, collaborative, and supportive member of the 10-person CGRE and GEAF team, helping to practice organizational values and engaging with the Executive Director and other senior staff on organizational priorities.
• Work closely with Program Directors on fundraising priorities and leverage staff expertise to effectively convey the mission and impact of CGRE and GEAF with existing and prospective donors.

Philanthropy Communications

• Collaborate with staff and external consultants to effectively communicate and translate CGRE and GEAF strategies and program outcomes into proposals, reports, talking points, learning sessions, and other philanthropic communications.
• Provide strategic and editorial oversight on all donor materials, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values.
• Manage CGRE and GEAF’s communications consultants.
• Partner with the Executive Director to design, organize, and execute donor learning

Ideal Candidate

CGRE seeks a bold and strategic fundraising professional with a passion for advancing gender, reproductive, and racial equity. While deep content expertise in these fields is not required, candidates must demonstrate a genuine commitment to and understanding of these issues. A track record of success effectively conveying social justice issues and causes to prospective donors, and the ability to speak with fluency about the issues on the ground and the work that CGRE is doing to respond is highly valued.

Skilled in securing principal gifts in the six and seven-figure range from foundations and high-net-worth donors, the incoming Chief Philanthropy Officer is savvy, confident, and comfortable operating at the upper echelons of the donor ecosystem. Leading with a combination of frontline fundraising expertise and the strategic capabilities to guide those efforts, the ideal candidate has deep experience owning the overarching fundraising vision, and managing the tactical operations needed to successfully execute against the strategy.

Given the unique nature of a funder collaborative, the ideal candidate must be able to work effectively in a lean, fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will add value to the team’s culture of professionalism, collaboration and respect for one another. They must be comfortable interacting with high-net-worth individuals and leaders of philanthropic institutions, with a clear understanding of the unique attributes, nuances, and approaches required for both types of funders to design customized engagement plans. They will bring strong familiarity with the broader donor community and an ability to navigate the landscape effectively, including maintaining relationships with donor advisors and wealth management firms to ensure CGRE and GEAF are the go-to resource for donors looking to further their giving in reproductive and gender equity. At the same time, the next CPO must bring a similar level of understanding and respect for grantee partners. They are as astute and perceptive in a boardroom as they are in the field with frontline organizers who are leading this work.

Qualified candidates will have active, direct fundraising experience and a practiced understanding of how to cultivate and engage donors in an intimate, highly selective environment. Working closely with the principal donors of CGRE and GEAF and with prospective donors, the Chief Philanthropy Officer will display a natural ability to build partnerships and relationships in a manner that provides high-touch support and guidance at every turn. While maintaining a strong customer-service orientation, the right candidate is someone who anticipates needs and provides strategic insights and recommendations. Supportive, respectful, discreet, and service-oriented, the CPO should be an effective listener, thoughtful, and able to inspire the trust and support of donors with significant wealth.

Specialized expertise includes raising funds for issues, movements, and causes, with specific experience in reproductive, gender, and/or racial equity preferred. They will be a strong written and oral communicator who can quickly and succinctly articulate CGRE and GEAF’s strategy and impact. In addition to 501(c)(3) fundraising experience, experience with and an understanding of 501(c)(4) fundraising compliance and communications requirements and nuances is an important skill set.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a minimum of 15 years of senior fundraising experience working with high-net-worth individuals and foundations, with demonstrated success raising gifts in the six and seven-figure range. An unwavering passion for gender, reproductive, and racial equity is essential, with specific expertise being preferred. Experience fundraising for both 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) entities is required.

The anticipated salary for the role is $250,000.

This is a U.S.-based role, with preferred locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, or Washington, DC. However, we encourage qualified candidates from across the U.S. to apply, as the position is fully virtual.

CGRE’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Chief Philanthropy Officer will be employed by CGRE’s fiscal sponsor, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), and seconded to work (estimated at 15% of time) on GEAF. RPA offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with up to 9% employer contribution; four weeks of vacation; and unlimited sick time. This position will work remotely, and the CPO will be expected to come equipped with virtual office tools, including computer, phone, and other technology needs. IT support, work-related upgrades and web applications are provided as needed.

RPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to DEI. The missions of CGRE and GEAF are reflected in values that are rooted in justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, collaboration and compassion that are core to how they operate as a team, organization, and learning community.

To Be Considered

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for the role via the “Become a Candidate” button.

Applicants applying by January 13 will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled.