Deputy Director of Philanthropy

10,000 Degrees • San Rafael, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

10,000 Degrees is a non-profit organization focused on educational equity and supporting students from low-income backgrounds through college and into successful careers. The Deputy Director of Philanthropy is a senior leadership role responsible for bridging organizational advancement strategy with regional execution. This role involves strategic oversight, operational management, and mentorship of Regional Development Directors to ensure alignment with fundraising priorities, donor engagement, and revenue objectives. The Deputy Director will play a key part in scaling major gift portfolios, strengthening philanthropic pipelines, and optimizing Regional Advisory Boards to drive performance and foster collaboration. This individual will also serve as a thought partner to the Chief Development Officer, contributing to operational excellence, accountability systems, and long-term financial sustainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 8+ years of progressively responsible fundraising and development experience
• Proven track record of success in major donor cultivation, regional fundraising, and stewardship
• 5+ years experience directly managing, coaching, and scaling high-performing fundraising professionals, preferably in a multifaceted nonprofit or education setting
• Visionary thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to drive strategy and measurable fundraising effectiveness
• Masterful interpersonal skills with extensive experience partnering with boards, advisory boards, and high-net-worth individuals to advance organizational goals
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write persuasively, deliver compelling presentations, and build trust across diverse internal and external stakeholders
• High proficiency with Google and Microsoft Suite applications and advanced experience leveraging CRM platforms, preferably Salesforce, to track donor management
• Exceptional organization and project management skills; ability to drive multiple concurrent, cross-functional initiatives to success within a fast-paced environment
• Growth mindset with a willingness to learn, receive feedback, and be self-reflective
• Deep, unwavering commitment to social justice, educational equity, and economic mobility
• Lived experience aligned with the communities served by 10,000 Degrees (e.g., first-generation college graduates or low-income background) is highly valued

Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and mentor all Regional Development Directors, providing clear executive guidance, performance management, and career advancement support.
• Foster a high-performing, results-oriented, and collaborative fundraising culture across all regional teams that aligns with organizational values and revenue targets.
• Establish clear fundraising expectations, key performance indicators (KPIs), and rigorous metrics to ensure consistent regional execution and measurable outcomes.
• Proactively monitor regional fundraising performance, identifying potential risks, and executing strategic course corrections to guarantee revenue goals are met.
• Translate the organization’s high-level comprehensive fundraising strategy into actionable, coordinated regional plans, targets, and donor segments.
• Serve as the central communication conduit between the Chief Development Officer and the regional teams to ensure institutional priorities, major campaigns, and messaging are seamlessly executed.
• Design and scale internal systems and processes that optimize cross-regional coordination, resource sharing, and the adoption of fundraising best practices.
• Directly support, construct, and execute strategies for high-priority donor relationships and complex cross-regional funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic oversight and standardized guidelines for Regional Advisory Boards, maximizing their efficacy as brand ambassadors, connectors, and resource generators.
• Partner directly with Regional Development Directors to elevate prospect strategies, optimize donor cultivation, and manage high-capacity portfolios for major gifts.
• Systematically review donor pipelines and activity to accelerate prospect development, acquisition, and retention.
• Serve as the primary development lead for the Marin Regional Advisory Board and manage an assigned portfolio of key donor relationships.
• Leverage data, fundraising metrics, and CRM analytics to identify philanthropic trends, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and inform executive decision-making.
• Synthesize complex data into comprehensive updates and performance reports for the Executive team regarding regional challenges, progress, and market opportunities.
• Serve as a core member of the Development leadership team, actively shaping overall staffing, systems, and operational excellence and acting on behalf of the Chief Development Officer as appropriate to provide seamless leadership continuity.
• Support and represent 10,000 Degrees at fundraising and appreciation events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Excellent healthcare benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 15 days paid vacation + holidays and paid sick leave
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional development including conferences, seminars, webinars, and directed career advice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior