VP, Donor Relations
About this role
Overview
Since 1972, Covenant House has served and advocated for youth and young families experiencing homelessness, human trafficking, and exploitation. Our overarching goal is to end homelessness among youth and young families by helping them achieve housing stability, heal from trauma, tap into their innate resilience, and hone their interests and skills to forge new pathways to independence. This work is carried out across Covenant House sites in 34 cities in the US, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
About the Role
The Vice President, Donor Relations is a highly strategic, entrepreneurial fundraising leader responsible for securing transformational philanthropy from individuals and families capable of making commitments of $1 million or more.
Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Vice President will manage a select portfolio of existing Covenant House donors and prospects who have demonstrated both affinity for the mission and the capacity to make principal gifts ($1 million+). The primary responsibility of this position is to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making seven- and eight-figure commitments that advance Covenant House's mission and strategic priorities.
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of securing multiple multi-million-dollar commitments from high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, and donor-advised fund holders. This individual must be an exceptional relationship builder with the ability to engage sophisticated philanthropists in complex giving conversations, develop customized strategies, and move prospects successfully through the donor lifecycle.
As a leader within the revenue organization, the Vice President will model Covenant House's values and contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, and donor-centered philanthropy. This position requires a self-starter who operates with a high degree of independence, initiative, and accountability, requiring minimal oversight to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Principal Gift Fundraising
Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects capable of making commitments of $1 million or more
Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, with a focus on upgrading existing Covenant House supporters into major and principal giving relationships
Personally secure significant philanthropic commitments in support of Covenant House's programs, strategic initiatives, capital needs, and other organizational priorities
Lead complex gift discussions involving multi-year commitments, blended gifts, planned gifts, and other sophisticated philanthropic vehicles
Create highly customized donor engagement and solicitation strategies based on donor interests, motivations, and philanthropic objectives
Develop compelling funding opportunities and cases for support that inspire transformational investments
Meet and exceed annual goals for donor visits, proposals submitted, dollars raised, and principal gift commitments secured
Relationship Management
Build and maintain trusted relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family office executives, wealth advisors, philanthropic consultants, and donor-advised fund holders
Engage donors as strategic partners in Covenant House's mission through meaningful stewardship, recognition, and impact reporting
Conduct extensive face-to-face donor meetings and represent Covenant House at donor events, briefings, site visits, and external engagements
Maintain a disciplined moves-management process and ensure accurate documentation of donor activity and strategy
Strategic Collaboration
Partner closely with colleagues across donor relations, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, marketing and communications, and affiliate organizations to maximize fundraising opportunities
Collaborate with the Corporate Partnerships team to coordinate engagement strategies for corporate executives who serve as both institutional partners and individual donors
Work with executive leadership to develop strategies for principal gift prospects and leverage leadership involvement where appropriate
Coordinate with program leaders and subject matter experts to develop compelling donor engagement opportunities and funding proposals
Partner with marketing and communications colleagues to ensure donor communications align with organizational priorities and fundraising strategies
Organizational Leadership
Serve as a respected leader within the revenue organization and contribute to overall fundraising strategy and organizational success
Embody Covenant House's values of unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support in all internal and external interactions
Foster a culture of collaboration, professionalism, accountability, and donor-centered relationship management
Act as an ambassador for Covenant House's mission and represent the organization with credibility, integrity, and professionalism
Contribute strategic insights regarding philanthropy trends, donor engagement strategies, and principal gift opportunities
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated expertise in major gifts and principal gifts fundraising
Deep understanding of the interests, motivations, and giving behaviors of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth philanthropists
Proven ability to secure multiple seven-figure commitments from individuals, families, family offices, donor-advised funds, and related philanthropic entities
Strong knowledge of sophisticated charitable giving vehicles, including multi-year commitments, planned gifts, endowment gifts, blended gifts, and DAF giving
Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills with an ability to establish credibility and trust quickly
Outstanding solicitation, negotiation, and closing skills
Strong strategic thinking and prospect development capabilities
Ability to navigate complex donor ecosystems involving family members, advisors, family office executives, attorneys, and wealth managers
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and storytelling skills
Ability to develop compelling donor proposals and complex gift strategies
Strong project management and organizational skills
High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism
Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams and organizational levels
Self-directed work style with a demonstrated ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and consistently deliver results with minimal supervision
Passion for Covenant House's mission and a commitment to mission-centered philanthropy
Required Qualifications
Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive fundraising experience, with substantial experience focused on major and principal gift fundraising
Demonstrated track record of personally securing multiple gifts and commitments of $1 million or greater
Experience managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects through all stages of the donor cycle
Strong experience developing and executing complex donor strategies that result in transformational philanthropic commitments
Experience working effectively with senior executives, board members, volunteers, and other fundraising leaders
Experience collaborating across fundraising disciplines, including corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and major gifts programs
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and consistently achieve ambitious fundraising goals
Ability and willingness to travel extensively as required
Expected Leadership Competencies
Strategic Relationship Building
Principal Gift Fundraising Excellence
Executive Presence
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Results Orientation
Donor-Centered Thinking
Collaboration and Influence
Initiative and Ownership
Emotional Intelligence
Mission-Driven Leadership
Accountability for Performance
Integrity and Stewardship
Travel Requirements
Travel nationally up to 30% for in-person meetings with partners and CHI team meetings as needed
Our Community
Our critical mission demands that we have all voices at the table. A team of diverse people, perspectives, and experiences is smarter, stronger, and more effective for our young people. At Covenant House, every team member is valued, respected, heard, and supported, and we welcome honest and courageous self-reflection on any aspects of our work that are based on biased or outdated viewpoints. We deliberately create opportunities for our staff to grow and thrive.
Covenant House International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind: CHI is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at CHI are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, family or parental status, disability status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. CHI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.
If you have a disability or medical condition and need a reasonable accommodation, such as an ASL interpreter or a different interview format, or if you have physical accessibility needs, let us know. Contact us at 1-929-502-2521, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time or email us at .
Originally posted on Himalayas