Vice-President of Philanthropy

The Vice President of Philanthropy for the United Way of Greater Knoxville provides strategic leadership for corporate engagement, major donor engagement, volunteer engagement, and community-wide fundraising and resource development at United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK). This role is responsible for designing, executing, and continuously improving a comprehensive advancement strategy that positions UWGK as a visionary leader in the region’s philanthropic landscape.

The VP of Philanthropy ensures that all fundraising and engagement efforts support UWGK’s community impact model and revenue goals, including workplace giving, individual and major gifts, planned and deferred giving, Affinity Groups, and signature events. This role serves on the Executive Leadership Team and models UWGK’s guiding principles and values in all work and relationships.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position directs a high-performing Advancement Team, including FTE staff responsible for fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer engagement, and related functions.
Responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership, coaching, and mentorship to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Setting clear expectations and goals, directing and delegating work assignments, monitoring progress, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Supporting cross-functional collaboration and guiding team members in aligning their work with organizational strategies and revenue goals.
• Ensuring department staffing, structure, and processes maximize available resources and opportunities.
  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities reflect the core functions of the role and are considered essential to the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather a representation of the key duties required to advance UWGK’s mission. Duties may evolve based on organizational needs and community priorities.

Strategic Leadership

• Champion UWGK’s mission and community well-being as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing a united and visible presence across the organization and broader community
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors, Advancement and Communications teams, and fundraising volunteer committees to create and execute intentional, comprehensive, effective short- and long-term strategies for increased revenue generation and diversification aligned with UWGK’s mission and goals
• Utilize data and analytics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and prepare reports on fundraising activities for the President/CEO and board of directors/key stakeholders to inform data-driven decision-making and resource optimization
• In collaboration with the Finance department, develop and manage budgets related to fundraising activities, oversee fundraising reporting, and ensure that all fundraising practices and processes adhere to legal and ethical standards and are in compliance with relevant regulations.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Staff and Communications and Marketing & Communications team, align data, storytelling, marketing, and outreach strategies to grow, engage, and mobilize segmented target audiences.

Community Mobilization

• Engage and mobilize corporate partners, business leaders, community groups, individual donors, and nonprofit partners to strengthen support for UWGK’s mission and increase revenue.
• Provide leadership to UWGK’s Advancement Committee and staff support to volunteer fundraising committees, councils, and strategies, including the Alexis de Tocqueville council (ADT), giving societies, and executive ambassador program
• Annually, serve as primary liaison with UWGK Community Campaign chair and lead Advancement team in planning and coordinating community/corporate campaign activities, and driving and monitoring annual giving campaign results
• Leverages CRM, wealth screening, and leads technology initiatives to enhance fundraising results and donor satisfaction, which improves the organization’s use of systems to increase overall impact.

Donor Portfolio and Pipeline Management

• Advance a donor-centric, relationship-based moves management strategy grounded in best practices to inspire increased philanthropic giving and long-term donor and corporate partnership.
• Drive donor prospecting, cultivation, acquisition, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth individuals to maximize financial support for community investment and initiatives;
• Expand UWGK’s major gift program by establishing strong relationships to secure transformational major, endowment, deferred, and legacy gifts ($500K+)
• Lead corporate partnership strategy to build and expand mutually beneficial relationships - developing and leading annual fundraising planning, workplace campaigns, sponsorships, and new volunteerism and CSR initiatives.
• Oversee donor engagement events, coordinating and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful fundraising efforts.
• In collaboration with the Community Impact department, draft and manage timely, compelling proposals, presentations, reports, and acknowledgements
• Cultivate and lead donor experiences and use data insights to strengthen the advancement model and donor pipelines continuously.
• Create cultivation and stewardship strategies to deepen relationships, strengthen retention, and grow average gift size.
• Expand innovative workplace giving strategies and corporate engagement methods to grow UWGK’s donor base.
• Serve as the organizational champion for CRM excellence by leading improvements in system usage, functionality, and data accuracy to ensure Advancement efforts are fully supported and data-driven.

Required Skills/ Abilities

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and execute long- and short-range strategic plans that integrate fundraising, community mobilization, and donor engagement.
• Fundraising Expertise: Demonstrated success in and strong understanding of fund development best practices, including donor cultivation, stewardship, major gifts, workplace campaigns, and planned giving.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to inspire, persuade, and engage diverse audiences, including donors, corporate partners, volunteers, and community leaders.
• Team Leadership & Coaching: Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and motivate high-performing teams with a focus on accountability, collaboration, and performance excellence.
• Relationship Building: Proven ability to cultivate productive, trust-based relationships with donors, business leaders, nonprofit partners, volunteers, and internal teams.
• CRM & Data Management: Advanced proficiency with CRM systems, including the ability to lead improvements in functionality, accuracy, and adoption across the organization; skilled in using data to guide strategy and decision-making.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and make informed decisions that improve outcomes.
• Project & Process Management: Ability to design and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously, meeting deadlines while maintaining quality and strategic alignment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled at working across departments to ensure alignment, reduce silos, and integrate messaging, goals, and engagement strategies.
• Community Engagement: Ability to mobilize and activate key partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to advance UWGK’s mission and increase community involvement.
• Adaptability & Innovation: Demonstrated track record of introducing innovative strategies, adapting to evolving community needs, and leading change within complex environments.
• Cultural Competency: Ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.
• Technology Fluency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, CRM platforms, project management tools, and technology platforms that support donor engagement and performance management.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience leading a development or advancement function for a nonprofit or similarly complex institution with multiple stakeholders.
• At least five (5) years of experience in program evaluation, outcomes measurement, and data-driven performance improvement.
• Demonstrated success securing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts.
• Innovative thinker with a track record for translating strategy into action plans and results
• Expertise in managing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, executive presence, and ability to project confidence and credibility to peers, top-level executives, and internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, donor management software systems, project planning software, and other relevant tools.

Desirable, But Not Required

• Master’s degree or advanced certification (CFRE, ANCP) preferred
• Key knowledge of the Greater Knoxville community and the local philanthropic and corporate landscape

Start your journey here:

The United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) is part of a global organization that directly impacts our local communities. We are committed to fostering a collaborative culture where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Our work is rooted in making a meaningful impact, changing lives, and embracing our community's strengths. YOU are an essential part of making our mission a reality. Join a team of great people, collaborate on meaningful work, and serve the communities you call home while you do it.

To model equitable hiring practices, UWGK strives to provide a reasonable compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes factors such as skill set level, experience, training, licensure, and certifications. To support merit-based performance, UWGK typically does not hire individuals at or near the top of the pay range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $125,000- $150,000/year.

How we think:
Our human capital is our most valuable asset. The collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees bring to their work represents a significant part of our culture, reputation, and the organization’s achievements.

When you join UWGK, you become a trusted advisor, collaborating with colleagues and community stakeholders to deliver actionable insights that drive meaningful, sustainable outcomes. In 2022, we celebrated the United Way of Greater Knoxville's centennial year and unveiled our plans for the next 100 years.

As a Thriving United Way, we are broadening our scope to include system-level work in Community Schools, Early Education, Economic Mobility, and Health Communities. We will continue to act as a nonprofit funder and supporter, but we will also advocate at a larger scale to create lasting, systemic change in our community.

As an equal opportunity employer, we want to empower all our teammates to succeed and grow. Please let us know if you require accommodation at any point during the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

Ready to become part of our mission? Join UWGK - where your ideas and actions make a difference.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics.

UWGK provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

UWGK offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Background investigation components can vary depending on specific job criteria. UWGK will consider employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with all local regulations and ordinances.

UWGK will not discharge or, in any other manner, discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with UWGK's legal duty to furnish information.