Director of Philanthropy

United Food Bank•Mesa, AZ

2h•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a pivotal moment for United Food Bank. As we prepare for our next phase of growth—including an upcoming capital campaign—we’re seeking a Director of Strategic Gifts who will help shape the future of our fundraising work. At United Food Bank, philanthropy is rooted in partnership and long-term impact. The ideal candidate for this role is a thoughtful, strategic fundraiser and people leader who excels at building trust, leading strong teams, and engaging donors who want to make a lasting difference. The Director of Philanthropy will play a central role in advancing our major and corporate giving efforts and sustaining the momentum behind our mission. Our Mission and Values: We are passionate about our Mission of Uniting Communities to Alleviate Hunger. You are most likely to find success at United Food Bank if you are motivated to embrace our values: We are Uniters – working together as one united team. We are Cultivators – with a growth mindset and willing to try new things. We are Optimists – with a positive attitude and a commitment to move our mission forward. Position Summary: The Director of Philanthropy serves as a key leader within United Food Bank’s Philanthropy team, responsible for leading the organization’s individual giving strategy, major gifts program, donor engagement efforts, and fundraising operations. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer, this position provides strategic and operational leadership focused on driving fundraising performance, strengthening donor relationships, and building a culture of accountability and philanthropy across the organization. The Director of Philanthropy oversees gift officers, donor engagement staff, and fundraising operations support functions, ensuring consistent execution of donor cultivation, stewardship, pipeline management, and fundraising strategy. This role is responsible for establishing clear goals, performance expectations, and operational discipline across the philanthropy function while supporting the organization’s long-term philanthropic growth.

Requirements

Passion for alleviating hunger and serving the community
Commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
Bachelor’s Degree (BA) or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with at least 3 years managing staff. CFRE preferred.
Proven record of securing major and campaign gifts ($50,000+) and building corporate partnerships.
Experience in capital campaign planning and execution strongly preferred.
Proficiency in Salesforce CRM or similar software required
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
Strategic thinker with strong organizational and analytical abilities.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple complex projects.
Mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptable.
Comfortable working with senior leadership, Board members, and high-capacity donors.
Self-motivated, dedicated to accomplishing tasks, able to take initiative and solve problems.
Availability and willingness to attend evening or weekend events when needed
Valid driver’s license with reliable transportation and insurability required.

Nice To Haves

CFRE preferred
Experience in capital campaign planning and execution strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and manage philanthropy team members to achieve annual fundraising goals and performance expectations.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), portfolio standards, fundraising metrics, and accountability measures across the philanthropy function.
Conduct regular portfolio reviews, pipeline reviews, moves management meetings, and forecasting discussions to ensure consistent progress toward revenue goals and effective portfolio management practices.
Oversee portfolio strategy and assignment processes, including evaluating donor qualification, portfolio movement, engagement levels, and determining when donors should be reassigned, advanced, or removed from active portfolios.
Build operational discipline and consistency across donor engagement activities, stewardship practices, reporting, and fundraising workflows.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve fundraising effectiveness, operational efficiency, donor engagement strategies, and team performance through innovation, process improvement, and data-informed decision-making.
Partner with the Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer to develop and implement fundraising strategies aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives.
Foster a high-performing, donor-centered culture focused on accountability, execution, and measurable impact.
Manage a strategic portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects through cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long-term relationship management.
Oversee donor pipeline management, forecasting, and fundraising performance tracking utilizing Salesforce and related fundraising systems.
Develop and implement stewardship strategies designed to strengthen donor retention, deepen engagement, and increase philanthropic investment.
Identify opportunities to grow individual giving and planned giving through strategic donor engagement, relationship management, and long-term cultivation strategies.
Support the development and advancement of planned giving conversations and legacy giving opportunities with qualified donors and prospects.
Provide leadership oversight for donor engagement initiatives, including mid-level giving, donor recognition, stewardship, and donor retention programs.
Ensure timely, accurate, and meaningful donor acknowledgment and communication practices.
Oversee fundraising reporting processes, donor data integrity, and portfolio management standards to support effective decision-making and fundraising execution.
Utilize fundraising data, dashboards, and reporting tools to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and improve team effectiveness.
Support the ongoing optimization of fundraising systems, workflows, reporting structures, and operational processes.
Ensure fundraising priorities and donor engagement strategies are aligned with organizational messaging and mission impact.
Represent the Philanthropy Department in organizational initiatives that strengthen donor trust, fundraising effectiveness, and long-term relationship development.
Work collaboratively with organizational leadership to support strategic philanthropy initiatives and revenue growth.