Head of Philanthropy & Principal Giving; Eastern US) at Acumen

Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. Named one of Fast Company's most innovative companies of 2026, Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty, going where traditional capital often won't to back entrepreneurs building more inclusive markets.

About the Organization

Acumen was founded on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We focus on investing in transformational companies, building sustainable markets, and preparing leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future.

Our work combines the best qualities of philanthropy and business to spark transformational change and break the cycle of poverty. We back bold entrepreneurs serving low-income communities to build markets that work for everyone, and every investment we make, company we scale, and community we cultivate is designed to serve people living in poverty. We work across four continents and some of the hardest-to-reach communities in the world, supporting entrepreneurs through a multi-pronged approach:

• Acumen Ventures: We take risks most investors won't for higher impact reward, and we invest across the capital continuum to help transformational companies grow from seed to scale. Our Angels Award helps Academy graduates get businesses off the ground; our Patient Capital approach leverages philanthropy to catalyze continued growth; and our Returnable Funds have the power to turn a proven market into a movement across nations and continents.
  
  Learn more about Acumen Ventures and our investment principles.

• Acumen Academy: We offer transformative, cohort-based leadership programs for entrepreneurs who want to solve and scale solutions to poverty; online courses for anyone, anywhere seeking to create positive impact in their community; and a global alumni network of 2,000 whom we continue to support with the tools, community, and capital required to scale their impact. Learn more about Acumen Academy.

Over 25 years, Acumen has invested in and supported companies serving some of the world's most vulnerable communities, impacting more than 700 million lives. To learn more, visit acumen.org or review our manifesto.

About the Role

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…