Director of Philanthropy Newport NEWS, VA

Reports to: VP of Community and Corporate Engagement

FLSA status:
Exempt –Officials & Managers

The Director of Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for all philanthropic revenue efforts at Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA). This position is responsible for building and sustaining a strong donor pipeline, increasing private philanthropic investment, and strengthening donor relationships in alignment with PAA’s mission, values, and Strategic Plan. Working closely with the Vice President of Community & Corporate Engagement, the Director of Philanthropy advances a coordinated approach to donor engagement,stewardship, and grant development that supports long-term organizational sustainability.

The Director of Philanthropy also serves as a key liaison tothe Foundation Board, supporting effective communication, alignment, and philanthropic governance.

The Director of Philanthropy leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of PAA’s philanthropic strategies, including major gifts, annual giving,foundation support, and donor stewardship. This role ensures that philanthropic efforts are relationship-centered, data-informed, and aligned with broader mission advancement and community engagement priorities.

• Build, manage, and sustain a robust donor pipeline with clear cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship practices.
• Oversee the full grants lifecycle, including prospect research, proposal development, reporting, and compliance.
• Serve as a primary staff liaison to the Foundation Board, supporting board engagement, communication, reporting, and alignment with organizational philanthropic priorities.
• Provide education, guidance, and support to board members and staff on donor engagement, cultivation, solicitation best practices, and philanthropic trends to strengthen organizational fundraising capacity.
• Prepare materials, reports, and presentations related to philanthropic performance and initiatives for Foundation Board review, as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain donor analytics, segmentation, tracking, and reporting to inform strategy and measure performance.
• Partner with the Vice President of Community & Corporate Engagement to cultivate major donors, philanthropic partners, and regional funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications Coordinator to align donor messaging, storytelling, and campaign materials.
• Ensure timely and meaningful donor recognition and stewardship that reinforces trust and long-term engagement.
• Maintain accurate donor records and reporting systems to support transparency, accountability, and continuity.
• Monitor philanthropic trends and funding opportunities relevant to aging services and community-based organizations.
• Contribute to department planning, goal-setting, and evaluation to support mission advancement and sustainability.

• Bachelor’sdegree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in philanthropy, fundraising, or donor engagement within anon profit or mission-driven organization.
• Proven ability to build and steward donor relationships and manage a donor pipeline.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit fundraising methods, including major gifts, annual giving, and grants.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor correspondence.
• Abilityto use data, metrics, and donor management systems to inform strategy andtrack outcomes.

• Experience working in aging services, healthcare,or human services environments.
• Familiarity with donor management software and fundraising analytics tools.
• Experience collaborating with marketing or communications staff on campaigns and donor storytelling.
• Knowledge of foundation and institutional funding landscapes.

The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. This role requires the ability to…