Director of Impact Philanthropy

About us:

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. Lenders on Kiva can start with as little as $25 to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s gender equity and support for women, refugees, climate change, small businesses, agriculture, and more. Since our founding, over two million people have invested over $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 100 countries and over 5 million borrowers

As we work toward our mission, Kiva invests in building and retaining a global team of talent to add to our values-driven and digital-first culture. Our organization is supported by over 700 volunteers and 130+ full time employees dispersed around the world, as well as within team hubs located in San Francisco, Nairobi, Bogota, and Bangkok. Kiva’s team is growing as we pursue exciting new opportunities to scale our impact and create a financially inclusive world.

Kiva's values:

Impact first - This is why we exist. This is the drumbeat we march to. Every day.

Extreme ownership - Own it; you, your relationships, your impact. Insist that others support you and hold you accountable.

Be curious and bold - Never stop learning. Question assumptions. Take Risks and dream big.

Inclusion. Equity. Diversity. - Without reservation and without caveat. In our hiring, in our workplace and in our impact in the world.

Honor and integrity - Do the most right thing in the most right way. Cherish diversity and respect each other.

Love and kindness always - Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And don't say it mean. Clarity. Courage. Kindness.

Role overview:

This position is an integral part of Kiva's Strategic Partnerships (SP) team. The Impact Philanthropy (SP Director) will be responsible for leading the strategic partnership efforts focused on major giving, mid-tier giving, foundations, and gatekeepers.  This leader will create the foundation for stewardship at Kiva.  They will drive the CEO and senior leadership individual giving strategy. This position will also lead other key Kiva constituents, especially those with ties to high- and ultra-high net worth individuals (U/HNWI), like family foundations, financial advisors, funding collaboratives, or philanthropic advisors.

The Director oversees a team of three people and will be responsible for generating at least $8.5m in gifts annually. The annual goal may change based on priorities and team structure.  He/she/they will work closely with other members of the SP team, as well as cross-functionally with colleagues in marketing, communications, product, and impact investments, to ensure that Kiva’s case for support, online experience, cross-channel stewardship, and  storytelling are appropriate for the impact philanthropy audiences.

This role is expected to both serve as a relationship and stewardship manager holding a portfolio of accounts while also building the stewardship and impact philanthropy program at Kiva working closely with the EVP, Partnerships and Comms to do so. 

The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing a portfolio of high-potential relationships and guiding strategy development for the individual major giving program, especially strengthening top-of-funnel activities like thought leadership, conference attendance, etc. This role will also play a role in enhancing stewardship for Kiva supporters and will collaborate with colleagues focused on other funding segments, especially corporations and foundations.   

At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately, we cannot provide visa sponsorship.  Upwards of 20% travel may be required. 

At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

Key responsibilities include: 

Team Leadership & Management:

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management for a team of 2–3 fundraising professionals specializing in stewardship, foundations, and major giving.
• Oversee team performance to ensure achievement of an annual team revenue goal of $8.5M, including $6M+ raised by the team and $2.5M from your individual portfolio.
• Lead annual planning processes, including goal-setting, forecasting, budgeting, and developing fundraising strategies and timelines.
• Represent Kiva internally as a senior leader and externally with poise and professionalism

Fundrasing Strategy and Portfolio Management:

• Create and execute the strategy and vision for the impact philanthropy team whose audiences include high-net-worth individuals, foundations, philanthropic advisors, and other key gatekeeper audiences.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of 100+ prospects and supporters, securing immediate funding, long-term commitments, planned gifts, and deposits.
• Serve as a primary frontline fundraiser through face-to-face engagement, high-touch cultivation, compelling solicitations, and customized stewardship.
• Plan and guide senior leadership fundraising efforts, stepping in as needed to advance key donor relationships and close gifts.

Donor Engagement, Stewardship & Thought Leadership:

• Create and deliver compelling proposals, presentations, and donor materials that articulate programmatic opportunities, impact, and recognition pathways.
• Lead the development and execution of stewardship strategies for major donors, ensuring timely acknowledgment, personalized communication, and impact reporting.
• Identify and pursue thought leadership opportunities that engage high-net-worth donors and their advisors (e.g., articles, sponsored content, conference participation).
• Stay current on sector trends and best practices in major gifts and philanthropic giving; participate in professional networks and development opportunities.
• Oversee Kiva’s partnerships that focus on DAF giving, bequests, legacy gifts, and other ways of giving. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with colleagues across Kiva, including product, marketing, communications, finance, and strategic partnerships, to align philanthropic engagement with organizational goals.
• Partner with Kiva’s product and marketing teams to optimize website experience, digital communications, and product offerings for major donors and ultra/high-net-worth individuals.
• Work with staff and volunteers to identify, research, and engage new major gift prospects, ensuring coordinated and strategic outreach across the organization.
• Contribute to Kiva’s organization-wide strategy for engaging financial advisors, philanthropic advisors, foundations, funding collaboratives, and other key intermediaries.
• Maintain accurate donor records, tracking interactions, commitments, and progress toward goals.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Proven ability to lead and develop a high-performing fundraising team.
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing targeted, strategic fundraising initiatives.
• Proven track record and knowledge base for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and closing 6- and 7-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate donor solicitations and successful donor pipeline management.
• 7+ years of diversified fundraising experience in a nonprofit environment, including capital campaigns, major gifts, annual gifts, and corporate philanthropy. 
• Enthusiastic and committed networker capable of serving as a passionate advocate for Kiva.
• Independent, trustworthy, and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, listening abilities, and collaborative work ethic. 
• Experience working with G-Suite, Microsoft Office, and CRM platforms, specifically Salesforce, and other fundraising tools (DonorSearch, Wealth Engine, Marketing Cloud, etc.).
• Results and detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable juggling multiple priorities simultaneously.

Preferred:

• Experience with individual fundraising and major giving in the international development context.
• Minimum 8 years of work experience in fast-paced, growth-oriented organization(s), specifically in a non-profit major giving role and/or as a generalist fundraiser.
• Comfortable leveraging multiple SaaS platforms (Slack, Figma, Jira, Asana, Marketing Cloud) to optimize team efficiency and collaboration
• Familiar with digital and mass marketing for HNWI
• Working knowledge of planned gifts.
• Past experience living or working internationally, particularly in a developing country context.

What we offer:

• A work-from-home position; final candidate must be authorized to work and located in one of the U.S. states we do business in.
• An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
• Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
• A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, parental leave, professional development, 401k matching, and unlimited PTO. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by Kiva.
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world
• Salary range: $105K - $145K; a final offer will be dependent upon a candidate’s location, skills and experience. 
• Currently, we are not open to working from home employees residing in the following states: AL, AK, DE, HI, IN, KY, MS, MO, NE, NM, ND, OK, RI, SC, SD, VT, WV, WI, and WY

A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kiva's culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!

We will only accept applications directly from candidates. Kiva will not be responsible for any recruiting agency fees, absent a formal agreement.