Vice President of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships

Position description

iMentor is seeking a dynamic Vice President of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships to drive transformational growth in fundraising and strategic partnerships. This newly created role will work in close collaboration with the Chief External Officer to develop and execute a bold, cohesive revenue strategy, positioning iMentor for long-term sustainability and impact.

This is a unique opportunity for a proven strategist and tested fundraiser to lead principal gift initiatives, cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and institutional partners capable of multi-million-dollar investments. The VP will unlock new philanthropic opportunities, leveraging strategic communications and thought-leadership to elevate iMentor’s visibility and deepen donor engagement. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in managing complex, multi-faceted fundraising campaigns, with a track record of securing $1M+ gifts across corporate, foundation, and individual donor portfolios. This leader will oversee and optimize iMentor’s institutional giving strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities while mentoring and developing a high-performing team.

As a key senior External Relations leader, the VP will serve as a trusted advisor to the C-Suite and Regional Leadership, providing critical management support to the Chief External Officer. This role is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial and strategic leader eager to scale impact and shape the future of one of the nation’s largest mentoring organizations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of iMentor’s External Leadership Team, the Vice President of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships will drive transformational fundraising and strategic partnerships to enhance iMentor’s impact, visibility, and financial resources. With a focus on principal gifts ($1M+), multi-faceted institutional partnerships, and strategic donor engagement, the VP will strengthen iMentor’s overall fundraising capacity and position the organization for long-term success.

This role carries an aspirational revenue target of $5M annually, with a focus on building the pipeline, deepening relationships, and securing multi-year commitments to unlock sustainable growth. The VP will manage a team of six, including two direct reports, fostering a high-performing culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence.

Fundraising Strategy & Campaign Leadership

• In close partnership with the Chief External Officer, implement a bold, multi-year fundraising and partnership strategy, focused on securing seven and eight figure principal gifts and growing iMentor’s institutional and individual giving portfolio;
• With the Chief External Officer, conceive of and execute signature fundraising campaigns, leveraging research, data, and industry insights to unlock new revenue streams;
• Oversee and optimize iMentor’s institutional giving strategy, identifying opportunities for deeper engagement and multi-year commitments that unlock the full impact of 360 degree impact partnerships;
• Leverage strategic communications and thought leadership to position iMentor as a top philanthropic investment opportunity.

Pipeline Development & Principal Gift Development

• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top-tier institutional and individual funders, building the relationships needed to achieve long-term financial sustainability;
• Build and expand a pipeline of high-impact funding opportunities, working closely with internal teams to align fundraising priorities with programmatic growth;
• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief External Officer, and Board leadership to develop customized engagement strategies and directly solicit principal gifts.

Team Leadership

• Manage the Institutional Giving Team; currently a team of six, including two direct reports, fostering professional growth and ensuring high performance;
• Actively engage with iMentor’s Senior Leadership Team, ensuring that fundraising strategies align with broader organizational goals.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in development, business development, or strategic partnerships, with a proven track record of securing principal gifts ($1M+) and multi-year commitments across diverse revenue streams (corporate, foundation, and individual giving);
• Deep expertise in relationship-driven fundraising, with a history of successfully engaging, cultivating, and soliciting high-net-worth individuals, institutional funders, and enterprise-level partners;
• Exceptional storytelling and strategic communications skills—able to craft compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic investment and position iMentor as a top-tier funding opportunity;
• Strong campaign strategist, with experience leading high-impact fundraising initiatives, capital campaigns, or major partnership efforts that have resulted in transformative growth;
• Dynamic executive presence and outstanding presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage Board members, senior leadership, and top donors in high-stakes meetings and solicitations;
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams – a motivational coach and mentor who fosters a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence;
• Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to balance big-picture visioning with tactical execution to drive results;
• Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity, with the composure, adaptability, and problem-solving skills needed to lead during high-pressure moments;
• Deep knowledge of philanthropy best practices, donor engagement strategies, and professional grantmaking, with experience managing complex funding portfolios;
• Passion for non-profit innovation and social impact, with an authentic connection to iMentor’s mission and commitment to advancing educational equity;
• Ability to travel for donor and partner meetings nationwide and work in-person in the NYC office at least once per month. The team operates on a hybrid schedule, with a preference for candidates based in NYC, Chicago, or Baltimore who can work in-person two days per week;
• Demonstrated alignment with iMentor’s mission, core values, and commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative community;
• Recognizes and values the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all individuals, and actively contributes to a welcoming and collaborative environment;
• Our organization works in partnership with district public schools across the country. In doing so we must meet all compliance requirements of those districts including background checks;
• iMentor is committed to ensuring healthy and safe environments for our staff, mentors, and the students we serve. In order to fully comply with the NYC Vaccine mandate, all iMentor employees (regardless of role or region) are required to be fully vaccinated priority to their start date.

Application instructions

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