Director, Philanthropy

About Us

The Jewish Federation of Detroit is the cornerstone of Jewish philanthropy and community engagement in Southeast Michigan. We are a community-driven organization committed to meeting the needs of the Jewish people and strengthening Jewish life—locally, in Israel, and around the world.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced fundraiser who is passionate about building relationships and inspired by the power of philanthropy to change lives. This is not just a fundraising role — it’s an opportunity to partner with leaders, families, and foundations to strengthen Jewish life for generations to come.

As a senior member of our development team, you will:
- Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, cultivating deep, values-driven partnerships.
- Supervise and mentor a small team of development professionals, modeling best practices in donor engagement.
- Collaborate with volunteer leaders and colleagues across Federation to advance the philanthropic vision of Jewish Detroit.
- Guide and solicit endowment and planned gifts.

Key Responsibilities

- Build meaningful, long-term relationships with major donors and prospects.
- Partner with philanthropists to align their passions with the community’s most pressing needs.
- Inspire generosity through thoughtful engagement, personalized stewardship, and bold asks.
- Guide, support, and supervise development staff, fostering professional growth and success.
- Lead conversations and strategies around planned giving vehicles (bequests, charitable gift annuities, IRA charitable distributions, etc.) to secure lasting commitments.
- Represent Federation in the community as a trusted connector and passionate ambassador.

Qualifications

- A seasoned fundraiser with 7+ years of experience and a track record of securing significant gifts.
- Demonstrated expertise in planned giving strategies and tools, with the ability to guide donors through complex philanthropic decisions.
- Experience supervising or mentoring staff, with a collaborative and empowering leadership style.
- A relationship-builder who thrives on listening, connecting, and inspiring others.
- A storyteller who can make the case for Jewish Detroit’s needs and opportunities.
- A leader who brings creativity, resilience, and joy to their work.
- A deep commitment to Jewish values and community.