Director of Donor Relations

The AI Policy Network•San Francisco, CA

23h

About The Position

The Director of Donor Relations is a senior individual contributor role at the AI Policy Network (AIPN), a bipartisan, independent 501(c)(4) advocacy organization focused on advancing secure AI development in support of America's economic prosperity, technological leadership, and national security. The role cultivates and closes major gifts from technology professionals, founders, and mission-aligned high-net-worth individuals to support AIPN's mission of preparing America for artificial superintelligence and advancing responsible AI policy. Working with the Head of Development, the Director manages a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, leads cultivation events across the Bay Area, and connects AIPN's philanthropic and civic engagement programs. The position is based in or around Berkeley or San Francisco, California, and requires regular in-person donor engagement.

Requirements

Proven fundraising record closing high-value commitments.
Existing relationships within the Bay Area AI safety community, mission-driven philanthropic networks, or technology sector.
Working knowledge of nonprofit and political giving frameworks, including 501(c)(4) program structures and civic engagement programs.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex AI policy to sophisticated donor audiences.
Demonstrated experience with donor database and pipeline management systems.
Based in or willing to relocate to the Berkeley/Bay Area; regular in-person donor engagement is required.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of experience in major gifts fundraising, political development, civic engagement programs, or high-value relationship-based sales, with a demonstrated track record of success.
Experience fundraising from networks focused on existential risk, AI safety, long-termism, or global priorities.
Background in political development or coordinated giving programs.
Familiarity with Anthropic, OpenAI, Google DeepMind, or similar organizations and their employee and leadership communities.
Established Bay Area professional network spanning technology, venture capital, or philanthropy.
Experience supporting board-level development strategy or serving as primary development staff for an executive director.

Responsibilities

Manage an active portfolio of 75–150 individual donors and prospects, focusing primarily on gifts of $10,000–$500,000+.
Conduct discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with Bay Area technology executives, founders, AI researchers, and mission-aligned philanthropists.
Partner with the Executive Director on strategy for top-tier donor relationships and multi-year gift opportunities.
Develop tailored engagement plans, including personal outreach, policy briefings, and leadership access opportunities.
Draft gift proposals, acknowledgment letters, and impact reports, and manage gift documentation and pledge agreements with finance and operations.
Manage AIPN's civic engagement giving programs and connect donors to aligned opportunities and organizations.
Coordinate with AIPN's strategy team to align donor engagement with current program priorities.
Track and report on civic engagement program participation and portfolio outcomes.
Maintain knowledge of rules governing nonprofit programs and individual giving, coordinating activity with legal and compliance resources.
Plan and execute donor cultivation events in Berkeley, San Francisco, and virtually, including salons, policy briefings, and leadership roundtables.
Represent AIPN at AI safety, technology industry, and philanthropic convenings across the Bay Area.
Build and maintain relationships in Bay Area effective altruism and AI safety communities and with relevant stakeholders at organizations such as Anthropic and Google DeepMind.
Collaborate with the executive team on donor-facing messaging that reflects AIPN's mission of securing American AI leadership and preparing for superintelligence.