Job Summary:

Hope Ignites Phoenix is seeking a relationship-driven Director of Philanthropy who brings both strategic vision and personal engagement to fundraising. This role is designed for a development professional who can shape and lead a strong philanthropic strategy while also actively building, stewarding, and soliciting donor relationships.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and other team members, the Director of Philanthropy leads the growth of individual giving, major gifts, and signature events. This role supervises core development functions and is supported by a grant writer and administrative/event support, allowing a strong focus on high-impact donor relationships and revenue growth.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities:

Donor & Community Engagement

· Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual and major donors, with emphasis on gifts of $5,000 and above.

· Maintain an active presence in the Phoenix community through meetings, events, and one-on-one donor visits.

· Develop and execute individualized stewardship and solicitation plans that deepen engagement and increase giving.

Strategy & Fundraising Leadership:

· Partner with the Executive Director to set annual philanthropy goals and fundraising strategies aligned with organizational priorities.

· Actively lead and participate in fundraising initiatives, balancing strategic direction with hands-on execution.

· Monitor progress toward goals and adjust strategies and tactics to improve outcomes.

Marketing & Awareness

· Oversee Hope Ignites Phoenix’s marketing initiatives, including press releases, media outreach, and other awareness efforts.

· Ensure consistent branding and effectiveness.

· Create and execute Hope Ignites Phoenix’s communication strategy, encompassing social media, website, annual reports, print and electronic newsletters, and traditional mailings.

Events & Board Engagement:

· Lead the planning and fundraising strategy for signature events, including the Hope Ignites Phoenix Golf Tournament and the Success Starts with Hope community breakfast.

· Recruit volunteer leadership, develop prospect lists, and personally solicit gifts connected to events.

· Partner with Board members and other donors/volunteers to strengthen engagement, giving, and donor referrals.

Team Leadership & Collaboration:

· Provide hands-on leadership for development functions.

· Collaborate with administrative, event, and marketing support to ensure effective donor communications.

· Actively engage in Hope Ignites network-wide development and marketing affinity groups, trainings, and cross-site collaborations to advance professional growth and fundraising effectiveness.

Other:

· Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit. 

Education, Experience and Certifications- Minimum Qualifications:

· A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.

· Five (5) or more years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and major donors.

· Has or can obtain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and a Valid Arizona Drivers License.

Job Requirements- Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

· Proven ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively, with consistent follow-through.

· Experience supervising staff or leading teams in a collaborative environment.

· Willingness to be actively engaged in the Phoenix community; knowledge of the local philanthropic landscape preferred.

· Proficiency with CRM software, preferably Salesforce.

· Working knowledge of social media platforms.

· Passion for the mission and impact of Hope Ignites.

Other Skills and Abilities:

This is an executive position. The position requires regular written and verbal communication, planning and organization, independent decision making, use of computers, making presentations, and attendance at meetings. Periodic travel within the United States and regular travel in the city will be required. This position requires extensive use of phones and computers to communicate with various stakeholders, the public, and staff. Evening and weekend work are occasionally required.

Communication:

Ability to effectively present information and respond clearly to inquiries from other staff members and scholars. Ability to draft reports and correspondence consistent with the duties of this job. Ability to interface effectively with scholars, staff, volunteers, stakeholders, donors, and community members.

Reasoning:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Computer:

Ability to learn and utilize Windows-based computers and a variety of other devices. Ability to learn and utilize various software programs or applications.

Other:

Ability to accurately perform assigned tasks satisfactorily. Ability to perform duties in full compliance with the requirements of the organization. Ability to promote harmonious working relationships with staff and scholars. Possess excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills.

Work Environment:

This position includes serving the program's scholars and advancing its mission. The position requires annual participation in continuing education. The position will have at least an annual performance evaluation.

Physical Requirements:

While performing this job, the individual is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, grasp, and use repetitive motions. Individuals may also frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds of materials. Specific vision abilities include close vision such as reading handwritten or typed material, or computer/device screens, and distance vision such as reading a projector screen, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description is designed for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this job. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this job and additional duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.