Director of Philanthropy

Acumen is seeking a seasoned philanthropic leader with a strong existing network of philanthropists – or a track record of building such networks – to play a major role in a $100M to $150M fundraising effort. This leader will cultivate deep relationships within their network, and engage a new philanthropic network to engage with Acumen’s work while strategically positioning our CEO and senior leaders to inspire transformative giving. As a trusted advisor and results-driven partner, they will expand Acumen’s visibility, unlock unrestricted capital, and meaningfully contribute to our mission to solve the problems of poverty and build a world based on dignity

About Acumen
Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half-a-billion lives. To learn more visit acumen.org.

About Development & Partnerships
We are a small and mighty team where everyone rolls up their sleeves together to get the job done. We sit at the nexus of philanthropy and investing, using investment as a means to solve problems and drive systems change. Though Acumen manages several commercial funds, our D&P team is accountable for raising philanthropy to support Acumen’s work, engaging with HNWIs, Foundations, Corporations and Government funders and managing complex long-term grants and distinct engagement strategies across these different donor types. 

About the Role
The Director of Philanthropy will lead Acumen’s efforts to build and grow a vibrant community of high-net-worth supporters at a time of growth in scale and ambition, with special emphasis on the West Coast and Western United States. The position will center on cultivating deep, long-term relationships, creating high-impact engagement opportunities, and securing major gifts that expand our base of unrestricted funding. A key priority will be to strategically position Acumen’s CEO and other senior leaders to appear at targeted events, convenings, and donor gatherings that open doors and inspire giving.

Acumen works across the spectrum of capital raising philanthropic capital that we deploy in several ways: as patient investment, to build leaders, and to leverage into much larger impact funds – all of it focused on solving problems of poverty. We’re thus seeking an experienced fundraiser who is comfortable with nuance and brings networks of individuals with capacity for both giving and investing (with a strong preference for the former).

We are seeking an experienced philanthropic fundraiser and relationship builder with 20 years of experience engaging high-net-worth individuals. The ideal candidate has a strong track record of closing major gifts, convening influential communities, and connecting mission-driven work to donors’ passions. They will be an excellent communicator, adept at both one-on-one conversations and high-profile events, and skilled at collaborating with senior leadership to maximize fundraising outcomes.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter who thrives in entrepreneurial settings, understands the nuances of relationship-driven fundraising, and can represent Acumen’s mission with credibility and inspiration to influential audiences. 

Accountabilities

• Build and grow Acumen’s community of high-net-worth supporters on the West Coast, cultivating deep personal relationships and securing major unrestricted gifts.
• Develop and execute engagement strategies that position the CEO and senior leaders in front of high-potential prospects at targeted events, salons, and donor gatherings.
• Identify and connect with new philanthropic networks, peer groups, and donor communities aligned with Acumen’s mission.
• Partner with the Communications team to create compelling experiences, stories, and materials that inspire action from prospective and current donors.
• Collaborate with the Development & Partnerships team to align regional efforts with global priorities and share best practices for HNWI engagement.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Acumen in key philanthropic circles, building trust and visibility for the organization’s work.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 20 years of experience in philanthropic fundraising and relationship management, with a strong record of securing major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and inspire high-net-worth individuals and their networks.
• Strong understanding of how to design and execute strategic engagement moments with senior leadership participation.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including managing up to the CEO.
• Effective storyteller with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in entrepreneurial environments and a readiness to adapt to evolving opportunities.
• This role will be supported by and be a part of a team. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with a hands-on approach to execution.
• Self- reflective and Aligned with Acumen values.
• Authorized to work in the US
• Ability to travel as needed 

Location
The ideal candidate would be based in California, however we are open to considering candidates in other locations with proximity to strong and influential philanthropic networks.

Compensation
The compensation for this role ranges from $170,000 to $200,000, plus an annual performance-based bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. This range represents the current low and high end of our Fundraising Director band. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience and a proven track record of securing unrestricted fundraising.

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