Philanthropy Advisor
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Silicon Valley Chapter · San Francisco Bay Area
- On site
- Full-time
- $80,000 / year
- San Francisco Bay Area
Job highlights
- Engage donors with thoughtful communication and service.
- Manage a portfolio of donors under $10,000.
- Develop creative engagement and retention strategies.
- Collaborate with internal teams for donor success.
- Utilize CRM for tracking and engagement outcomes.
About the role
About the Jewish Federation Bay Area
As the largest funder of Jewish causes in California, the Jewish Federation Bay Area connects donors, changemakers, and community partners to build a thriving, resilient future. The Federation serves as a trusted partner and advisor for those seeking to make an impact today while shaping a better tomorrow. We invest in education, social services, and security while mobilizing crisis relief worldwide. With over a century of leadership, we empower individuals and families to give strategically, building a thriving and resilient future for generations to come. Whether strengthening Jewish life in the Bay Area, safeguarding communities worldwide, or ensuring a safe and democratic Israel, we empower people to take meaningful action that echoes for generations.
The Federation is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual with a variety of skill sets who wants to join a team working to build a new model of 21st century and next generation Federation engagement.
Role Summary
The Philanthropy Advisor plays a vital role in stewarding, soliciting and engaging donors through thoughtful communication, responsive service, and meaningful connection to the Jewish community. This position manages a portfolio of emerging and growing donor-advised fund holders and Annual Campaign donors giving under $10,000. Through proactive outreach, the Philanthropy Advisor cultivates meaningful connections and supports donors as they expand their engagement and impact within our community.
This role is currently expected to be in the office 2 days a week and will report to one of the seasoned Philanthropy Advisors on the team.
Essential Functions
Portfolio Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for donor questions related to grantmaking and portal navigation, Federation impact and programs, and giving logistics and timelines.
- Manage and steward an assigned portfolio of donors while developing and executing targeted messaging and mass email campaigns to engage a larger donor base.
- Ensure donors, whether managed individually or reached through broad outreach, receive responsive, thoughtful, and accurate support regarding giving logistics and timelines.
Strategic Engagement and Touchpoints
- Develop and pilot creative engagement strategies for donors who are less likely to proactively reach out.
- Identify opportunities to increase donor involvement through educational programs, Federation events, and giving opportunities aligned with donor interests.
- Implement automated stewardship touchpoints, including: impact communications, holiday and gratitude messages, giving reminders and deadlines, and invitations to programs and events.
- Personalize outreach where appropriate to deepen donor connection.
Donor Retention and Growth
- Monitor donor engagement and giving patterns to identify opportunities for increased annual support, donor-advised fund balance growth, and deeper engagement.
- Partner closely with Philanthropy Advisors to transition donors as engagement, complexity, or giving increases.
- Support donor retention and upgrades through thoughtful solicitation, gratitude, and ongoing engagement.
Data, Systems and Collaboration
- Track solicitation activity, donor interactions, stewardship touchpoints, and engagement outcomes.
- Collaborate with multiple teams including philanthropy advisors, data and grants management, events and engagement, and marketing.
- Support department-wide initiatives, campaigns, and events as needed.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Warm, professional, and donor-centric
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfort communicating with donors by phone, email, and Zoom
- Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
- Strategic thinker with creativity around engagement
- Data-informed and systems-savvy
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Experience working with CRMs (Salesforce strongly preferred)
- Understanding of donor-advised funds and philanthropic best practices a plus
- Familiarity with Jewish communal life and values preferred, but not required
Education And Experience
- 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit development, donor relations, customer success, or relationship management
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits — medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, holidays (including Jewish), and retirement plan.
EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
The Federation views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a company culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible talent pool to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. The Jewish Federation Bay Area is an equal opportunity employer.
Key skills/competency
- Philanthropy Advisor
- Donor Relations
- Nonprofit Development
- Relationship Management
- Customer Success
- Salesforce CRM
- Donor Engagement
- Stewardship
- Fundraising
- Communication Skills
Skills & topics
- Philanthropy Advisor
- Donor Relations
- Nonprofit Development
- Relationship Management
- Customer Success
- Salesforce CRM
- Donor Engagement
- Stewardship
- Fundraising
- Community Engagement
- Jewish Federation
- Bay Area Jobs
- Nonprofit Jobs
- Philanthropy
- Development
- CRM
- Donor Management
- Client Services
- Nonprofit
- Development Officer
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in nonprofit development, donor relations, or relationship management, emphasizing your CRM proficiency (especially Salesforce) and success in engaging donors.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Clearly articulate your passion for the Jewish Federation Bay Area's mission and how your skills in communication, organization, and strategic engagement align with the Philanthropy Advisor role.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience managing donor portfolios, developing engagement strategies, and using data to inform your approach. Showcase your strong interpersonal skills and donor-centric mindset.
- Demonstrate cultural understanding: If you have familiarity with Jewish communal life and values, highlight this. Otherwise, express your eagerness to learn and contribute to an inclusive environment.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary responsibility of a Philanthropy Advisor at the Jewish Federation Bay Area?
- The Philanthropy Advisor is responsible for stewarding, soliciting, and engaging donors through thoughtful communication, responsive service, and meaningful connections to the Jewish community. They manage a portfolio of donors giving under $10,000 and cultivate relationships to expand donor engagement and impact.
- What kind of donors will I be working with as a Philanthropy Advisor?
- You will manage a portfolio of emerging and growing donor-advised fund holders and Annual Campaign donors who give under $10,000. The role focuses on cultivating these relationships and supporting their philanthropic goals.
- What is the work arrangement for the Philanthropy Advisor position?
- This role is a hybrid position, with an expectation of being in the office 2 days a week. The remaining days offer flexibility, allowing for remote work and a balance between in-person collaboration and independent work.
- What CRM experience is preferred for the Philanthropy Advisor role?
- Experience working with CRMs is essential, with Salesforce being strongly preferred. Proficiency in a CRM system will be crucial for tracking solicitation activity, donor interactions, and engagement outcomes.
- What qualifications are most important for a Philanthropy Advisor candidate?
- Key qualifications include being warm, professional, and donor-centric, with strong interpersonal skills, excellent organization, attention to detail, and strategic thinking. Experience with CRMs and a data-informed approach are also highly valued.
- Is familiarity with Jewish communal life required for the Philanthropy Advisor role?
- Familiarity with Jewish communal life and values is preferred but not required. The Federation values diversity and welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, offering an opportunity to learn and grow within the Jewish community.
- What are the benefits offered by the Jewish Federation Bay Area?
- The Jewish Federation Bay Area offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation time, sick pay, holidays (including Jewish holidays), and a retirement plan. Salary is commensurate with experience.
- How does the Jewish Federation Bay Area approach diversity and inclusion?
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