Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer

Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer

Company:
Insight Housing (formerly Berkeley Food & Housing Project)

Location:

San Francisco, CA

For more than 55 years, Insight Housing has provided housing, food, and support services to help people move from homelessness into safe, affordable homes. We serve seven Bay Area counties:
Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Amador. Our mission is to ensure everyone in our community has a home through supportive and sustainable housing solutions.

The Chief of Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer (CPEAO) leads Insight Housing’s external engagement, communications, and revenue strategy. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive team, the CPEAO aligns fundraising, policy, and communications to advance priorities and impact, with a goal of raising $3 M annually. The role directly supervises the Philanthropy Manager and the Policy and Communications Manager.

• Lead and implement an integrated fundraising strategy to meet or exceed annual revenue goals ($3 M for 2025).
• Oversee all aspects of individual giving, institutional philanthropy (foundations and corporations), major gifts, planned giving, events, and capital campaigns.
• Partner with the CEO and board to cultivate and steward top donors and prospects.
• Guide prospect identification, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship systems.
• Ensure efficient donor management, tracking, and reporting systems.
• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and institutional funders, coordinating with the CEO on strategic cultivation.
• Evaluate fundraising programs to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
• Oversee grant research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain donor database and stewardship functions, ensuring timely acknowledgements.
• Monitor and prepare regular reports on fundraising activities for the CEO, Board, Leadership Team, and stakeholders.
• Ensure sound fiscal management and compliance with all applicable laws and accounting standards.

• Refine and broaden Insight Housing’s policy and advocacy voice to become a recognized leader in housing and homelessness policy.
• Lead at least three regional or statewide policy campaigns based on community voice and data.
• Develop and manage an annual policy agenda informed by participant experiences.
• Build partnerships with coalitions, government agencies, and peer organizations to advance policy goals.
• Establish and co‑lead an internal Policy and Advocacy Committee to embed advocacy into culture.
• Launch and oversee an Advocacy Training Program for staff and participants.
• Publish policy briefs, impact reports, and public comment letters to influence legislation and funding.
• Lead and support team in hosting community‑led policy round tables and participating in public hearings, lobbying days, and campaigns.

• Lead a unified external affairs strategy aligning development, communications, and policy goals.
• Oversee brand management, media relations, marketing campaigns, and digital communications.
• Serve as key spokesperson for Insight Housing to media, funders, and partners when the CEO is unavailable.
• Ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all platforms.
• Lead the Communications team in developing marketing and communications initiatives to support organizational awareness and fundraising.

• Directly supervise the Philanthropy Manager and the Policy and Communications Manager.
• Build and nurture a high‑performing, collaborative team culture.
• Set and evaluate annual goals, professional development plans, and team benchmarks.
• Collaborate with other C‑Suite leaders to ensure cross‑functional alignment.
• Lead budget development and oversight for fundraising, communications, and policy departments.
• Work closely with the CEO and board members on fundraising strategy and execution.
• Provide board training and support to encourage engagement with their networks and philanthropic potential.

• Use personal vehicle to travel to field and program sites, documenting mileage per agency procedures.
• Promote a safe, healthy, and clean…