Head of West Coast Philanthropy

Accountabilities:

• • Own the West Coast philanthropy channel: Develop and execute the strategy for acquiring, cultivating, and retaining high-net-worth individual donors, family offices, and technology-sector philanthropists while owning revenue targets and channel growth.
  • Build strategic relationships: Establish trusted, long-term relationships with founders, operators, technology and AI leaders, investors, and next-generation philanthropists whose interests align with global development and economic opportunity.
  • Develop a high-quality pipeline: Map relevant West Coast technology, venture, entrepreneurial, effective altruism, and philanthropic communities; identify prospects; and create clear strategies for moving relationships from initial engagement to partnership.
  • Leverage networks and introductions: Work with executive leadership and board members to activate relevant networks and generate warm introductions to prospective supporters and champions.
  • Create community and convenings: Design and host intimate dinners, learning sessions, events, and other experiences that connect influential individuals with the organization’s mission, evidence, and impact.
  • Build the channel’s brand and credibility: Develop a strong presence within West Coast philanthropic, technology, founder, and investor communities while identifying comparable organizations and networks that may offer additional opportunities.
  • Develop compelling communications: Create pitches, one-pagers, proposals, and other materials that translate complex evidence and ambitious goals into clear, compelling partnership opportunities for sophisticated audiences.
  • Coordinate cross-functionally: Partner with development, program, communications, and leadership teams on proposals, reporting, stewardship, storytelling, and relationship development.
  • Own strategic execution: Establish 1–2 year goals and strategies for the West Coast channel, maintain accurate pipeline tracking, report on revenue and relationship progress, and provide leadership with well-developed recommendations.
  • Build scalable systems: Create repeatable sourcing, relationship management, engagement, and reporting processes that can support the continued expansion of the philanthropy channel.

  Requirements:

  • 8–10+ years of relevant experience is typically expected, although demonstrated ownership, impact, and scope are valued more than tenure alone.
  • Proven relationship-building ability: Comfortable developing trusted relationships with influential founders, investors, executives, operators, philanthropists, or other high-level stakeholders.
  • Commercial and pipeline orientation: Experience building momentum and converting relationships into meaningful partnerships through fundraising, business development, partnerships, sales, venture, investor relations, or a comparable function.
  • Strong communication and storytelling skills: Able to distill complex ideas, adapt messaging to different audiences, and inspire action through compelling written and verbal communication.
  • Analytical and intellectually credible: Comfortable interpreting evidence and impact data and communicating substantive ideas to analytically minded and sophisticated audiences.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset: Energized by building new channels, creating processes from scratch, experimenting, and taking ownership without relying on established structures.
  • High degree of autonomy: Able to manage priorities, relationships, and workstreams independently, including across a significant time-zone difference with a global team.
  • Strong collaboration and influence skills: Capable of working effectively with executive leaders, board members, development colleagues, program teams, communications professionals, and external stakeholders.
  • West Coast network: An established network within technology, founder, venture, investment, or philanthropic communities is a significant advantage.
  • Relevant backgrounds may include: Venture capital or startup ecosystems, strategic partnerships, business development, enterprise sales, investor relations, capital raising, community or ecosystem development, executive networking, chief-of-staff roles, major gifts fundraising, philanthropy advisory, or founding/early-stage operating roles.
  • Mission alignment: Strong interest in youth opportunity, global development, education, economic mobility, and measurable social impact.
  • Commitment and adaptability: Willingness to make a minimum two-year commitment and operate effectively in a fast-moving, international, mission-driven environment.

  Benefits:

  • Competitive compensation: Market-based compensation, with salary expectations discussed early in the hiring process; no fixed salary band is currently specified for the role.
  • Full-time opportunity: Full-time position with a requested minimum two-year commitment.
  • Remote flexibility: Remote work with a strong preference for candidates based in the San Francisco Bay Area or elsewhere on the U.S. West Coast.
  • High autonomy: Significant independence and ownership over the development of a new philanthropy channel.
  • Global collaboration: Work closely with a global team primarily based in East Africa while building relationships across U.S. West Coast technology and philanthropic communities.
  • Growth opportunity: Potential for expanding portfolio, revenue responsibility, and leadership scope as the channel develops.
  • Mission-driven culture: Join an ambitious, impact-focused organization working to expand youth employment and economic opportunity across Africa.
  • Learning and development: A culture that emphasizes continuous learning, experimentation, professional growth, and taking on opportunities beyond a defined job description.
  • Inclusive environment: A welcoming workplace that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, open dialogue, and collaboration.
  • Safeguarding: Employment is subject to standard background verification and safeguarding review in accordance with applicable legal requirements.