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About the Role

The Head of Philanthropy will lead the Individual Giving program, driving strategic initiatives to expand support from individual donors, family foundations, and grant-making organizations. This role will partner with the Chief Development Officer to build and mentor a high-performing fundraising team focused on securing transformational six- and seven-figure contributions.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and lead an integrated, multi-year individual giving strategy that builds donor pipelines across all giving tiers.
Develop tailored engagement and cultivation strategies for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and principal-level prospects.
Partner with Marketing, regional leads, and leadership to convert transactional supporters and members into mission-driven, recurring annual givers.
Directly manage a high-value portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospects.
Prepare and partner with the CDO, Founder, Co-CEO, and executive leadership on high-level donor solicitations, briefing materials, and bespoke stewardship plans.
Ensure rigorous moves management across the team, overseeing meaningful touchpoints, impact reporting, and elevated donor experiences.
Directly lead, mentor, and professionalize a team of three philanthropy staff members.
Align team roles, portfolios, and workflows to ensure maximum coverage across major individual fundraising markets and strategic initiatives.
Set clear performance benchmarks, support professional development, and establish robust metrics for donor acquisition, retention, and gift upgrades.
Collaborate with Development Operations and Communications to leverage CRM insights, prospect research, and data analytics to inform decision-making and pipeline health.
Partner with Programs, Advocacy, Marketing, Communications, and Events to translate organizational initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in major gifts, principal gifts, or high-net-worth fundraising, with a record of leading transformational asks and closing multiple seven-figure gifts.
A strong record of building or significantly strengthening a development function, including team leadership, systems improvement, and culture setting.
Fluency in the individual and family philanthropy landscape, including family offices, donor-advised funds, legacy giving structures, and impact-oriented giving.
Command of the data side of modern fundraising: prospect research and wealth screening, moves management, CRM discipline, and the analytics needed to build and defend a pipeline forecast.
Demonstrated ability to partner with programmatic colleagues and finance to translate complex ideas work into rigorous investment cases.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the presence to represent Common Sense Media credibly with sophisticated donors.
Experience working in complex, matrixed organizations, and the judgment to navigate relationships, priorities, and institutional dynamics with diplomacy.
A genuine commitment to children's education and health, and the ability to represent Common Sense Media's mission and strategy with authenticity.
Experience in education, science, public health, or another field where donor trust depends on evidence, transparency, and strong technical credibility.
Experience with annual campaigns, special initiatives, pooled funds, flexible funding vehicles, or other campaign-like fundraising efforts.
Existing relationships in Los Angeles, New York, the Bay Area, or other philanthropic networks relevant to Common Sense Media's current and future donor base.
8 to 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience in a nonprofit environment, with a demonstrated track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
Proven experience managing, mentoring, and structuring fundraising teams to achieve strategic revenue goals.
Ability to build cohesive, end-to-end individual giving programs spanning grassroots, mid-level sustainers, major gifts, and planned giving.
Exceptional interpersonal and storytelling skills, with the gravitas to represent the organization to high-net-worth donors, board members, and executive partners.
Fluency in donor database tracking (Salesforce preferred), forecasting, moves management, and data-driven pipeline oversight.

Skills

Major Gifts
Principal Gifts
High-Net-Worth Fundraising
Individual Giving Strategy
Donor Cultivation
Pipeline Management
Moves Management
CRM
Prospect Research
Data Analytics
Team Leadership
Mentorship
Strategic Planning
Communication
Storytelling
Relationship Building
Salesforce

Location

San Francisco, CA

Work Type

Full Time
In person

Experience Level

10+ years
8 to 10+ years

Salary/Compensations

$176000.00 - $209000.00

Benefits

Competitive nonprofit compensation
Comprehensive benefits
Collaborative, flexible work environment

About the Company

Common Sense Media is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and trusted voice they need to thrive in the age of AI.
Through our Youth AI Safety Institute, media ratings, advocacy campaigns, and Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum, we protect and prepare kids, reaching 150 million families and more than 90K schools worldwide.
Learn more: https://about.commonsensemedia.org/