Chief of Philanthropy

ABOUT HSSV
For more than 95 years, Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) has been a leader in animal welfare, serving pets and people throughout the Bay Area and beyond. As an independent, privately funded nonprofit organization, HSSV provides adoption and foster programs, veterinary care, behavior and training support, community programs, regional rescue partnerships, and resources that help pets and the people who love them thrive together.
HSSV is nationally recognized for its leadership and impact in animal welfare, with a long history of developing and sharing approaches that improve outcomes for animals and strengthen the human-animal bond. Through its Animal Community Center, Community Pet Clinic, and a dedicated network of donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters, HSSV works to save lives, keep families together, expand access to care, and build a stronger safety net for pets and people.
Mission, Vision & Values
HSSV is driven by a mission to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people, with a vision of a world where animals thrive, people experience the power of the human-animal bond, and families have the resources and support to care for their pets.
HSSV is grounded in the values of Kindness, Courage, and Impact which are brought to life through a collaborative culture centered on empathy, gratitude, belonging, continuous improvement, and celebrating shared success. HSSV encourages their teams to think boldly, drive meaningful change, take thoughtful risks, and work across teams to create lasting impact for animals, people, and the communities they serve.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Reporting directly to the President & Executive Director, the Chief of Philanthropy serves as a key member of HSSV’s executive leadership team, providing strategic and operational leadership for the organization’s high-impact fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This leader will guide the development and execution of long-term philanthropic strategies that generate sustainable revenue, deepen donor relationships, and align philanthropic support with HSSV’s strategic priorities. The Chief of Philanthropy will play a critical role in advancing HSSV’s mission while fostering a strong organization-wide culture of philanthropy.
The Chief of Philanthropy will personally cultivate and steward a targeted portfolio of high-value donors and prospects while providing strategic leadership for the Philanthropy team. The role will oversee individual and major giving, annual giving, planned giving, endowment, institutional giving and grants, donor stewardship, partnerships, and major and principal gift prospects. As a senior leader and visible ambassador for HSSV, this individual will also build strong relationships throughout the community to advance the organization’s philanthropic goals.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-driven, and highly collaborative fundraising leader who can translate organizational priorities into clear, measurable philanthropic goals. They will foster a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, partnership, and continuous learning while embedding philanthropy as a shared responsibility across the organization. This leader will bring proven success managing multi-channel fundraising programs, developing data-informed multi-year strategies, cultivating high-capacity donors, and inspiring teams to achieve ambitious goals in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
Lead the strategic direction and execution of HSSV’s multi-year philanthropy strategy, aligning fundraising initiatives, organizational leadership, operational execution, strategic partnerships, and innovative funding opportunities with HSSV’s mission and strategic priorities to drive sustainable revenue growth and maximize philanthropic impact.
Build strong cross-functional partnerships across HSSV, leverage organizational expertise and shared insights to strengthen donor experiences, advance fundraising efforts, and achieve collective goals.
Cultivate, develop, and empower a high-performing team to achieve fundraising goals and ensure long-term success within an inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven culture.
Direct the development and execution of capital campaigns and other special fundraising initiatives as needed, building the strategy, infrastructure, and leadership necessary to secure philanthropic support for HSSV’s highest-priority needs. This includes partnering with the President & Executive Director, Board, and key stakeholders to develop compelling cases for support, engage lead donors, and drive campaigns to successful completion.
Develop and implement a results-driven framework that establishes clear goals, measures impact, and fosters accountability, excellence, and continuous learning.
Maintain a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors, with direct responsibility for achieving an annual individual fundraising goal through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-capacity philanthropists and strategic partners.
Culture of Philanthropy
Develop and oversee a culture of philanthropy that strengthens and grows individual giving, major gifts, annual giving, endowment, planned giving, institutional giving, and grants while building a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.
Champion a culture of philanthropy across HSSV by fostering cross-functional collaboration, engaging staff and leadership in fundraising efforts, and embedding philanthropy as a shared organizational responsibility.
Build and steward a robust donor engagement strategy that cultivates lifelong supporters, philanthropic leaders, and community ambassadors who advance HSSV's mission and long-term sustainability.
Program Impact
Drive strategic financial leadership by overseeing budget planning and financial management to maximize fundraising effectiveness and operational efficiency.
Provide strategic oversight of Philanthropy operations to ensure an exceptional donor experience through seamless stewardship, effective talent development, and consistent operational excellence.
Lead the strategic use of data, technology, and analytics to strengthen decision-making, enhance fundraising effectiveness, and drive measurable results.
Model and promote the highest standards of ethical fundraising by ensuring compliance with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethical Standards and Professional Practice.

Employment type
Full-Time - 100%

Work arrangement
No