The Rhode Island Foundation is our state’s only community foundation, mobilizing generosity and motivating change throughout the Ocean State. By partnering with generous and visionary donors since 1916, the Foundation aligns its fundraising, grantmaking and community investment, convening, advocacy, and capacity building efforts to address Rhode Island’s most pressing issues and the needs of diverse communities. The Foundation is a dynamic, fast-paced workplace. Its dedicated employees are committed to creating meaningful progress in Rhode Island.

The Foundation is currently seeking a Senior Philanthropic Advisor, a position that will provide an exciting growth opportunity for an experienced fundraiser or new business development professional.

The Senior Philanthropic Advisor will be a member of the Foundation’s Development team, reporting to the Vice President of Development. By building relationships and inspiring philanthropy, the ideal candidate will proactively raise major current and deferred (estate) gifts from current and prospective donors, provide high level philanthropic planning advice and service to donors, and will positively increase visibility in the community for the Foundation. The ideal candidate will embrace and enjoy the fundraising and stewardship process and will rise to the challenge of new business development.  

The Senior Philanthropic Advisor will:

• Manage portfolio of existing major and legacy donors and plan and execute individualized engagement plans for top tier donors to deepen their relationship with the Foundation and increase their philanthropic contributions.
• Facilitate philanthropic investments that both align with the strategic goals of the Foundation and the desires of the donor through active listening, philanthropic advising, personalized donor stewardship and cultivation, and creation of philanthropic solutions.
• Build strong relationships and meaningful connections with new prospects, professional advisors, and current donors to generate new gifts and additions to funds.
• Proactively identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift and planned gift prospects, and their referral sources, largely through obtaining and executing productive meetings to build relationships and grow the Foundation’s donor pipeline.
• Provide philanthropic planning advice to both prospects and donors while balancing donor interests with the community philanthropic priorities identified by the Rhode Island Foundation.  
• Solicit and facilitate the receipt of complex gifts such as bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, and stock.    
• Provide consultation and training related to planned giving to nonprofit partners who are organizational endowment fundholders.  
• Maintain up to date pipeline activity data and reporting through fundraising CRM in order to track prospect, professional advisor, and assigned donor activity.  
• Work collaboratively across Foundation departments and especially with grant program officers, to identify community needs and funding opportunities for donors.  
• Develop expertise in and persuasively communicate the Foundation’s value proposition and fund offerings.  
• Maintain and expand a broad network of contacts throughout Rhode Island.
• Raise awareness and provide information about the Foundation’s purpose and mission at a variety of networking activities, including delivering presentations to various audiences.
• Stay abreast of current trends, legislation, and IRS rulings related to philanthropy and giving vehicles of all types through ongoing professional development. 

The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree; J.D. degree is desirable.

Minimum of 10 years experience in a professional endowment fundraising environment and/or donor service capacity with proven track record of success is required. The ideal candidate will also possess high-level verbal and written communication skills.

The ideal candidate is cooperative, dependable, proactive, and an adaptable team player who works well in a fast-paced environment on a high-performing development team, and has the ability to work independently, exercising strong judgement and decision-making capabilities.

Additional requirements include:

• Excellent relationship building skills with the ability to make meaningful connections with current donors and new prospects at all levels.
• Proactive orientation to donor development and stewardship with ability to advance and deepen engagement.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work quality donor communication.
• Highly skilled with technology tools and resources including CRM systems and reporting, Microsoft office suite, document preparation, etc.  
• Ability to prioritize workload and seek assistance as necessary for projects and activities in order to meet deadlines.  
• Adaptability to accommodate shifts in Foundation priorities and needs.
• Strong commitment to the Foundation’s mission and vision.
• Significant knowledge of the Rhode Island community and a broad network of contacts with the ability to grow and develop that network. 

The Rhode Island Foundation encourages a diverse work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We offer excellent benefits and a salary range of $145,000 to $160,000 for this position. 

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@rifoundation.org