Senior Philanthropy Associate

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (the Federation) of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties is a philanthropic catalyst, connecting Bay Area Jews – of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives – to the power we have as a community to improve the world. We partner with donors, organizations, and foundations to address the pressing issues facing our community and develop innovative strategies that result in deep and lasting impact.

Our vision is a vibrant, connected, and enduring Jewish community that is a force for good locally, in Israel, and around the world. Our work is guided by the timeless Jewish values of kehilla (community), tzedakah (giving with just intention), and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

The Federation seeks highly motivated individuals with a variety of skill sets to build the next generation of Federation engagement. We are especially interested in forward-thinking, collaborative, and open-minded candidates who are willing to take risks, possess a high level of integrity, and model a positive attitude that inspires confidence.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Federation Philanthropy Partners, a part of the Federation, works with donors on their own philanthropy and aims to inform, educate, inspire, and challenge philanthropy driven by Jewish values. Through the generosity of about 1,000 donors, this donor-advised philanthropy grants over $175 million a year, both locally and globally, to a variety of secular and Jewish causes. Federation Philanthropy Partners works with these clients, who all have unique situations and varying degrees of need for our guidance.

Our practice and our team will be growing in the coming years, and we are especially interested in candidates who inspire confidence, model positively for those around them, and have deep experience delivering client service. We are also especially interested in candidates who are forward- thinking, who have an entrepreneurial track record, are able to contribute to a growing business and who want to join a team working to build a new model of 21^st century and next generation Jewish philanthropy.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Senior Philanthropy Associate will manage and steward a portfolio consisting of the 24 current supporting foundations housed at the Federation, and the grantmaking that is done through them. The Senior Philanthropy Associate will also manage and, under the guidance of the Director of Supporting Foundations and other colleagues, recalibrate and redesign the scholarship awards process for the Federation. This position will work with Philanthropy Advisory clients, donor directors, as well as Federation-appointed supporting foundation directors, and a series of committees of other volunteers to generate, review, and negotiate grants to donor-directed opportunities with guidance and content expertise from the Philanthropy Advisors. The Senior Philanthropy Associate will, under the supervision of the Philanthropy Advisors, run the Academic Consortium. The Senior Philanthropy Associate will also manage content and agendas for meetings with prospective new Federation Philanthropy Partners’ clients that are considering a supporting organization with the Federation. The Senior Philanthropy Associate will also support the delivery of collaborative educational, community-building, and grantmaking opportunities for like-minded clients.

Support of business development, educational, and community-building opportunities with prospective and current Philanthropy Advisory clients is critical as the Federation sets out to become a pre-eminent philanthropy advisory practice in the Jewish world, a trusted advisor to generations of Jewish philanthropists, and a pacesetter in philanthropy. This support will be assigned depending on areas of expertise and need, and may include: supporting the development of client-centric service models, supporting the building of specific programs and the delivery of specific events related to client experience, and supporting due diligence on new products, platforms, and services for our clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

• Serves a portfolio of key clients at varying levels, carrying responsibility for delivery, in coordination with other colleagues, service given to a specific set of clients on philanthropic strategy, goals, and grantmaking
• Participates in the development of client relationships, including agenda-building and information-gathering ahead of prospective client meetings, including but not limited to: review of key prospect concerns, review of financial and personal information regarding the prospect, suggestions about discussion topics and philanthropic vehicle selection, and a proposed calendar of regular communication, touchpoints, and meetings across the year
• Delivers, according to a scheduled calendar, supporting foundation meetings, including agendas, timing and scheduling, grant dockets, and helps the Philanthropy Advisor set the agenda for the family’s key philanthropy concerns and issues across the year
• Delivers, in coordination with a series of volunteer committees and with support from a Philanthropy Associate, a successful scholarship awards process for those foundations and funds that award scholarships and other awards in the community
• Delivers the Academic Consortium
• Supports the development of learning opportunities for private funders on a variety of topics such as philanthropic strategy, objectives, and grantmaking, with the goal of developing more empowered, grounded, and strategic philanthropists in the Jewish community who grant to a variety of Jewish and non-Jewish causes
• Provides input and support to the team regarding opportunities for new partnerships and collaboration
• Is briefed and knowledgeable about the Federation’s priorities and funding areas, and can ably represent the Federation as a member of the larger team
• Participates as a member of the Federation Philanthropy Partners team on a specific group of projects designed to further develop and advance the business
• Works with the Philanthropy team and Development Team to grow and manage a community catalogue of Jewish giving opportunities for internal and external programs, programmatic content, collaborative funding opportunities, and educational events as needed
• This position will require occasional attendance/participation at events in the evening or on weekends

EDUCATION OR TRAINING EQUIVALENT

• Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree preferred

QUALIFICATIONS (SKILLS, ABILITIES, LICENSES)

• Proven ability in delivering client service in a multifaceted, complex environment related to philanthropy and/or fundraising (donor-advised vehicles, foundations, major gifts, planned gifts)
• Experience in developing and managing grant programs, as well as analyzing and evaluating program activities
• Exceptional organizational skills and track record
• Emerging philanthropy advisory capability, with some experience in a professional client service delivery setting that includes being at the table during counsel on matters around which clients and donor-directors have a lot of passion
• Intrapreneurial or entrepreneurial mindset and interest encouraged
• Knowledge of and appreciation for the Jewish community, its customs and practices
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and disciplines to complete projects focused on delivering excellence to clients
• Strong interpersonal skills and team approach, and experience in communicating specialized information verbally and in writing
• Must have a positive attitude that inspires confidence and action
• Demonstrated ability to establish and meet objectives and performance standards
• Experience working with lay leaders and maintaining healthy lay/professional relationships
• Ability/comfort level to work with a broad cross-section of individuals from the community
• Familiar with best practices in grantmaking including RFP, reading grants, and shepherding groups through a decision-making process
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, and various electronic communication tools

TO APPLY

Please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter. All applications and inquiries will receive a response and will be kept strictly confidential.

Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits — medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, holidays (including Jewish), and retirement plan.