Vice President Scholarships

The Asian University for Women Support Foundation (AUWSF) is a U.S.

-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit responsible for international resource mobilization and communications for the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Founded in 2008, AUW is an independent, international liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to educating and developing the next generation of women leaders from across Asia and the Middle East. Today, AUW serves more than 2,000 students from 22 countries, with more than 90 percent receiving scholarship support. The University places particular emphasis on reaching talented women who have historically had limited access to higher education, including refugees and displaced women, first-generation university students, and women from low-income and underserved communities.

AUWSF mobilizes the philanthropic support that makes this mission possible, raising funds for scholarships, academic and research programs, and the continued growth of the University, including the development of its permanent campus. The Foundation offers a dynamic, international working environment and an opportunity to play a significant role in expanding AUW’s reach and impact.

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President - Scholarships will play a senior leadership role in developing and executing AUWSF’s fundraising strategy and achieving an annual fundraising target of approximately US $15 million.

The Vice President will be responsible for expanding AUW’s donor base in the United States, identifying and cultivating new prospects, and personally soliciting and closing major gifts from individuals, foundations, and other institutional donors. Working closely with the President & CEO, Board members, and development colleagues in the U.S. and internationally, the successful candidate will be an experienced, entrepreneurial fundraiser who can build significant philanthropic relationships and help develop a strong and sustainable pipeline of support for AUW.

The position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and requires regular in-person work from the Foundation’s office. The successful candidate must be a resident of Massachusetts and willing to travel for donor meetings, events, and other Foundation activities.

• Work with the President & CEO and development team to develop and execute AUWSF’s scholarship fundraising strategy across scholarships;
• Build and manage a portfolio of major individual, foundation, and institutional prospects, from cultivation through solicitation and stewardship;
• Personally solicit and close six- and seven-figure gifts and expand AUW’s U.S. donor base;
• Work closely with the President & CEO, Board members, and senior supporters to leverage networks, facilitate introductions, and advance major gift opportunities;
• Lead high-level donor cultivation and engagement, including major donor events and smaller gatherings hosted by Board members and supporters;
• Provide leadership to development colleagues and collaborate with AUW and AUWSF teams internationally on fundraising priorities and donor strategy.

• Strong commitment to AUW’s mission and expanding educational opportunities for women;
• At least 7years of progressively responsible fundraising or advancement experience, including substantial experience in major gifts;
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-figure gifts;
• Experience securing seven-figure gifts strongly preferred;
• Strong knowledge of the U.S. philanthropic landscape and experience building relationships with major individual and institutional donors;
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with the confidence and judgment to engage donors, Board members, and senior stakeholders;
• Strong leadership, organizational skills, initiative, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, international environment;
• Bachelor’s degree required.