Head of Philanthropy & Principal Giving

What You'll Do

The Head of Philanthropy & Principal Giving (Eastern US) will lead Acumen's individual philanthropy strategy across the Eastern United States, with a particular focus on building new relationships and securing major gifts in support of Acumen's ongoing $250M campaign in service of our 10 year vision. This is a senior, externally facing role for an accomplished relationship builder who can expand Acumen's network, inspire transformational giving, and help shape how we engage major philanthropists during the campaign and beyond.

Working closely with our Chief Development & Partnerships Officer, the Directors of European and West Coast fundraising, and our CEO, this leader will have meaningful ownership of fundraising strategy, relationships, and results. They will cultivate relationships within their own network and build new ones; significantly expand Acumen's visibility across the Eastern half of the United States; and secure the flexible capital that allows Acumen to invest early, take risks, and pursue the opportunities with the greatest potential for impact.

We are looking for someone who brings at least 15 years of experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and a strong track record of closing major gifts. The ideal candidate possesses an existing network of potential supporters – or a demonstrated ability to quickly build one – and can connect Acumen's mission and patient capital model with the ambitions of sophisticated philanthropists who think about giving with the same rigor they bring to investing.

A persuasive storyteller and trusted advisor, this leader must be equally comfortable in a one-on-one conversation, convening a room around a shared purpose, and working with senior leaders to move a relationship toward a significant commitment. They will bring sound judgment, genuine curiosity, and a feel for nuance, along with the drive to open doors and turn relationships into lasting philanthropic partnerships.

This is a rare opportunity to help build the next chapter of individual philanthropy at Acumen, and to help shape a campaign designed to expand what Acumen can achieve over the next decade. It is also an ideal opportunity for an entrepreneurial frontline fundraiser who is motivated by ambitious goals and deeply passionate about leveraging philanthropy to solve problems of global poverty.

Key Responsibilities

Principal Giving & Campaign Fundraising

• Lead the strategy for individual major gifts across the Eastern United States, with clear goals for pipeline growth, donor engagement, and revenue.
• Build and steward a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, families, founders, and family offices, securing significant unrestricted and campaign commitments.
• Design thoughtful, individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that reflect each donor's interests, motivations, and potential relationship with Acumen.
• Secure meaningful 6- and 7-figure contributions to support Acumen's ongoing $250M campaign in service of our 10 year vision.

Relationship Building & Portfolio Management

• Open new philanthropic networks and deepen Acumen's presence among established and next-generation donors who are drawn to entrepreneurship, ending extreme poverty, investing, climate, and systems change.
• Create compelling opportunities for engagement through intimate gatherings, salons, events, field experiences, hands-on advisory roles, and peer-to-peer introductions.
• Serve as a visible and credible ambassador for Acumen in East Coast philanthropic circles, representing our mission, values, and investment approach with clarity and conviction.
• Maintain disciplined portfolio and pipeline management, using data and judgment to prioritize relationships, forecast revenue, and drive consistent follow-through.

Fundraising Team, Systems, & Strategy Support

• Partner closely with the CEO, Chief Development & Partnerships Officer, and other senior leaders to prepare for and lead high-stakes donor conversations, asks, and follow-up.
• Work with Marketing & Communications and program colleagues to translate Acumen's strategy, portfolio, and impact into stories and materials that move donors to act.
• Collaborate with colleagues across regions and donor channels to strengthen campaign strategy, share insights, and create a coordinated experience for supporters.
• Act as a key thought partner and close collaborator to the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer and other fundraising leaders on strategy, goals, and tactics for the team.
• Effectively manage a small team of direct reports in New York who provide support on regional fundraising and donor engagement, and coordinate with our head of D&P Operations to leverage Acumen's CRM and fundraising tools.

Who You'll Work With

You will report to the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer. You will directly manage an East Coast Development & Partnerships Manager (to be hired) and frequently collaborate across the Development & Partnerships team and with the Chief Executive Officer, Jacqueline Novogratz. Learn more about our team and Founder/CEO.

• At least 15 years of experience in major gifts, philanthropy, relationship management, or a closely related field, with a strong record of securing significant (6- and 7-figure) individual gifts.
• A meaningful network of high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic influencers, or clear evidence of having built new networks and converted relationships into major support.
• Credibility with sophisticated donors and the ability to engage them in substantive conversations about philanthropy, investing, entrepreneurship, and global challenges.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, emotional intelligence, and judgment, including the ability to navigate complex dynamics with discretion.
• A strong, authentic communicator who can make complex ideas clear, tell compelling stories, and tailor a case for support to different audiences.
• Experience partnering with a CEO, founder, board members, or other senior leaders to advance major donor relationships and secure gifts.
• A builder's mindset: entrepreneurial, proactive, resilient, and energized by creating new opportunities rather than relying only on an established portfolio.
• Strong personal accountability and comfort balancing long-term relationship development with ambitious near-term fundraising goals.
• A collaborative, low-ego approach and willingness to work across teams while taking direct ownership of results.
• Deep alignment with Acumen's values, including moral imagination, generosity, humility, accountability, and respect for the dignity of others.
• Authorization to work in the United States and ability to travel as needed.

Acumen maintains a hybrid work schedule, with employees expected to work on-site at Acumen's New York headquarters at least 3 days per week. As such, we are seeking candidates based in the New York City metropolitan area who are able and willing to commute regularly. The role also requires the ability to travel frequently within the region.

Acumen determines the salaries of its employees based on comparable pay in comparable markets, for comparable accountabilities, experience, and education. Compensation is structured around clearly defined levels of accountability, each with an associated pay band informed by market data within local geographies. Acumen benchmarks pay bands based on local salary ranges for both the impact investing and nonprofit sectors. Employees are further eligible to receive performance-based bonuses.