Position Opening: Director of Philanthropy, Phoenix

Hope Ignites Phoenix is seeking a relationship-driven Director of Philanthropy who brings both strategic vision and personal engagement to fundraising. This role is designed for a development professional who can shape and lead a strong philanthropic strategy while also actively building, stewarding, and soliciting donor relationships.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and other team members, the Director of Philanthropy leads the growth of individual giving, major gifts, and signature events. This role supervises core development functions and is supported by a grant writer and administrative/event support, allowing a strong focus on high-impact donor relationships and revenue growth.

• Deadline: Open until filled
• Status: Full-Time Exempt
• Type: Supervisory
• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Travel: As Needed

• Proven ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively, with consistent follow-through.
• Experience supervising staff or leading teams in a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to be actively engaged in the Phoenix community; knowledge of the local philanthropic landscape preferred.
• Proficiency with CRM software, preferably Salesforce.
• Passion for the mission and impact of Hope Ignites.

• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual and major donors, with emphasis on gifts of $5,000 and above.
• Maintain an active presence in the Phoenix community through meetings, events, and one-on-one donor visits.
• Develop and execute individualized stewardship and solicitation plans that deepen engagement and increase giving.

• Partner with the Executive Director to set annual philanthropy goals and fundraising strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Actively lead and participate in fundraising initiatives, balancing strategic direction with hands-on execution.
• Monitor progress toward goals and adjust strategies and tactics to improve outcomes.

• Oversee Hope Ignites Phoenix’s marketing initiatives, including press releases, media outreach, and other awareness efforts.
• Ensure consistent branding and effectiveness.
• Create and execute Hope Ignites Phoenix’s communication strategy, encompassing social media, website, annual reports, print and electronic newsletters, and traditional mailings.

• Lead the planning and fundraising strategy for signature events, including the Hope Ignites Phoenix Golf Tournament and Community Breakfast.
• Recruit volunteer leadership, develop prospect lists, and personally solicit gifts connected to events.
• Partner with Board members and other donors/volunteers to strengthen engagement, giving, and donor referrals.

• Hope Ignites is a small, privately funded organization relying on a competent, motivated staff to accomplish its mission of nurturing and guiding motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. This requires flexibility and willingness of all staff members to occasionally participate in other duties as assigned.

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and major donors.

This position includes serving the program’s scholars and advancing its mission. The position requires annual participation in continuing education. The position will have at least an annual performance evaluation.

• The position is a senior management position requiring excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to lead and guide constituents in learning, growing and embracing a diverse and inclusive environment, and managing positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders and partners.
• The position requires occasional travel in the United States to attend meetings convened by the Network and other professional gatherings.
• Must have valid driver’s license and ability to transport scholars as needed, complete errands including lifting/transporting in-kind donations up to 40 pounds.
• Must pass state and federal background checks and other screening required for working with youth

While performing this job, the individual is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, grasp, and use repetitive motions. Individuals may also frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds of materials. Specific vision abilities include close vision such as reading handwritten or typed material, or computer/device screens, and distance vision such as reading a projector screen, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Background Clearance
• Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Valid AZ Drivers License
• MVR (Motor Vehicle Report)  

This job description is designed for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this job. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this job and additional duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.