Associate Director, Philanthropic Partnerships

at  Raising The Village

ABOUT RAISING THE VILLAGE

We are Raising The Village (RTV) – an international development organization and a registered charity – on a mission to end ultra-poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Raising The Village is a fast-growing organization on an accelerated growth path. Our team in East Africa and North America work together to lift communities out of ultra-poverty in last-mile villages. We operate at the intersection of direct implementation and advanced data analytics to inform progress, decision-making, and impact.
To date, we have supported more than one million people through our innovative holistic approach. We have achieved this tremendous growth with the support of our incredible partners from all around the globe who believe in our model and impact. Find out more about our programs and impact at www.raisingthevillage.org.

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

Required:

Minimum of 10 years of education and/or work experience in partnership development and fundraising with philanthropic foundations, DAF, and/or HNW individual partners, preferably within the international development sector, with at least 3 years of leadership experience.

• Demonstrated success in securing funding from diverse sources (philanthropic foundations, major donors, & CSR bodies), including grants and donations for organizations with an annual budget of $3 million or above.
• Evidence of successful grant renewals, donor cultivation, network building, with a focus on portfolio growth year-over-year
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills including comfort with understanding and utilizing advanced data analytics to inform strategy and fundraising.
• Excellent communication (oral & written) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Results-oriented and self-starter mindset, with a positive attitude and solution-minded approach
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed.

Assets:

• Proven leadership and team management experience, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff towards common goals.
• Experience in sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience in a growth–focused “start-up” nonprofit environment

The Associate Director of Philanthropic Partnerships is a passionate and skilled leader with a proven track record in securing major gifts, grants, and funding partnerships.
As a member of the leadership team, the Associate Director will drive RTV’s fundraising efforts by managing and expanding our portfolio of philanthropic foundations, corporate partners, CSR funders, and other funding sources. Working in a highly collaborative, results-oriented culture, the Associate Director will excel in understanding and communicating the impact of our programs using advanced data-informed metrics while building and nurturing strong relationships with funders. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in fundraising and relationship management, who is an excellent communicator, strong writer, and solutions-oriented problem solver.
The ideal candidate enjoys being hands-on, thrives in dynamic environments, and finds new ways to engage with people, fostering meaningful connections. Most importantly, they are curious and excited to contribute their skills to a motivated team, and eager to tackle the hardest challenges with a positive attitude.
Internally, this role will work closely with the CEO and the Partnerships team, and collaborate extensively with the Programs, M&E, and Communications teams to contribute to the organization’s ambitious impact and growth strategy. Externally, this role will build and manage relationships with our existing and prospective funders in the philanthropic partnerships space.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising and Development: Lead and support efforts to secure funding through major gifts, grants and renewals from philanthropic foundations, corporate partners, DAFs, and individuals, proactively championing opportunities for new revenue.
• Relationship Management: Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with current and prospective funders, ensuring a deep understanding of RTV’s mission and impact to secure and grow funding support. Utilize knowledge of the philanthropic landscape, and a strong understanding of our programs and data analytics to build and maintain strong, productive relationships with foundation leaders and decision-makers.
• Partnership Strategy: Develop and implement strategies to expand our portfolio of funders (including but not limited to philanthropic, corporate, and major gifts), including research, prospect prioritization, outreach, networking, and proposal development. Work closely with the senior leadership team to align fundraising efforts with our long-term strategic goals.
• Collaboration and Networking: Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to leverage expertise, resources, and networks in support of partnership objectives. Represent RTV in relevant meetings, presentations, forums, conferences, partner trips, and industry events to expand the organization’s visibility and influence.
• Leadership: Provide guidance and support to staff members involved in partnership development, offering training, mentorship, and resources to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the Partnerships team to foster a cohesive and dynamic environment that leverages the strengths of each team member, ensuring that all fundraising efforts are aligned and integrated. Participate actively in both high-level strategic planning and day-to-day operational activities to drive fundraising success.