International Rescue Committee
Associate Director, Philanthropy
International Rescue Committee, Oakland, California, United States, 94616
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non‑governmental organizations, active in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities.
Note: This position is open to relocation. Preferred candidates are based in or willing to move to the Bay Area, CA.
Background The Airbel Impact Lab is IRC’s Research and Innovation team. Our mandate is to develop and rigorously test new solutions in aid, driving toward the most effective and cost‑effective approaches. In 2025 we were named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Non‑Profits. We are focusing on bringing the best technology and innovation—wherever it exists—into the aid sector to maximize our impact for the 305 M people in humanitarian need today. To fund this work, we pursue a philanthropic goal of $10 M+, sourced from private philanthropy, government support, public partnerships, corporate and foundation support, and innovative philanthropic investment vehicles.
Job Overview We are hiring an Associate Director of Philanthropy for Airbel Impact Lab to build and steward relationships with high‑net‑worth philanthropists, family offices, and family foundations, particularly within innovation‑forward ecosystems (e.g., tech, Silicon Valley). The role requires exceptional relationship‑building skills, cross‑team collaboration, and a proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts. The Associate Director will be responsible for raising donations from $100 K to $2.5 M+.
The Associate Director will own the full lifecycle of philanthropic partnerships—from prospect identification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship. You will translate complex technical innovations into compelling narratives that resonate with philanthropic audiences, working closely with technical teams to ensure accuracy while maintaining accessibility.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute a strategy in partnership with Airbel and ER targeting individual philanthropists and family foundations—particularly within the tech and innovation ecosystems of Silicon Valley and beyond.
Leverage and expand high‑value networks across technology and philanthropy to identify, engage, and secure funding partnerships aligned with IRC’s mission and Airbel’s innovation agenda.
Lead the full lifecycle of major gift development—from prospect identification and first engagement through proposal design, negotiation, and close—driving multi‑year, high‑impact commitments.
Strategically leverage AI tools for prospect research, donor communications, and pipeline management while ensuring all AI‑generated content is reviewed for accuracy, authenticity, and alignment with IRC’s mission.
Craft compelling, donor‑facing materials and narratives that translate complex technical and programmatic work into clear, inspiring pitches, collaborating closely with program and research teams to ensure accuracy and credibility.
Build and manage a robust, high‑potential pipeline of individual and family foundation prospects, ensuring systematic cultivation, disciplined follow‑up, and thoughtful long‑term stewardship.
Forge strategic relationships with key influencers and networks within the IRC network and externally that can facilitate introductions and broaden access within priority philanthropic communities.
Engage with Airbel’s Advisory Board to maximize strategic input, networks, and fundraising opportunities.
Collaborate across IRC’s global fundraising, program, and leadership teams to align donor interests with high‑impact opportunities and contribute to broader corporate and foundation partnership efforts.
Represent IRC and Airbel externally at major philanthropic, innovation, and industry events, positioning the organization as a trusted and forward‑thinking partner for high‑impact giving.
Required Qualifications
6‑8 years of experience in resource mobilization, development, or philanthropic partnerships, with demonstrated success securing major gifts ($100 K+) dedicated to research and innovations from high‑net‑worth individuals and family foundations.
Demonstrated access to networks of high‑net‑worth philanthropists, particularly within tech and Silicon Valley communities, with strong familiarity with Silicon Valley philanthropic culture and ability to leverage these relationships for new partnership opportunities.
Proven track record of managing complex gift cycles from identification through closure, including experience with proposal development, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to translate technical content into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
Strong ability to quickly develop substantive knowledge across new subject areas and engage meaningfully with technical experts and program staff.
Experience working in global nonprofit, humanitarian, or development contexts with understanding of philanthropic landscape and donor motivations. Ideal to have experience working within complex large organizations to accomplish goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience in family office, foundation, or corporate philanthropy roles providing insider perspective on philanthropic decision‑making.
Existing relationships within humanitarian, development, or social innovation networks.
Background in tech industry or innovation.
Compensation Compensation: Pay Range: $120,000 - $150,000
Equal Opportunity Employer IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
US Benefits US Benefits:
10 sick days, 10 U.S. holidays, 20–25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure; medical insurance beginning at $143 per month, dental at $6.50 per month, vision at $5 per month; FSA for health and commuter costs; a 403b retirement plan with match; disability and life insurance; Employee Assistance Program offering counseling and support.
Professional Standards All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way—Standards for Professional Conduct, including principles of Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability, and policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation.
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Note: This position is open to relocation. Preferred candidates are based in or willing to move to the Bay Area, CA.
Background The Airbel Impact Lab is IRC’s Research and Innovation team. Our mandate is to develop and rigorously test new solutions in aid, driving toward the most effective and cost‑effective approaches. In 2025 we were named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Non‑Profits. We are focusing on bringing the best technology and innovation—wherever it exists—into the aid sector to maximize our impact for the 305 M people in humanitarian need today. To fund this work, we pursue a philanthropic goal of $10 M+, sourced from private philanthropy, government support, public partnerships, corporate and foundation support, and innovative philanthropic investment vehicles.
Job Overview We are hiring an Associate Director of Philanthropy for Airbel Impact Lab to build and steward relationships with high‑net‑worth philanthropists, family offices, and family foundations, particularly within innovation‑forward ecosystems (e.g., tech, Silicon Valley). The role requires exceptional relationship‑building skills, cross‑team collaboration, and a proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts. The Associate Director will be responsible for raising donations from $100 K to $2.5 M+.
The Associate Director will own the full lifecycle of philanthropic partnerships—from prospect identification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship. You will translate complex technical innovations into compelling narratives that resonate with philanthropic audiences, working closely with technical teams to ensure accuracy while maintaining accessibility.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute a strategy in partnership with Airbel and ER targeting individual philanthropists and family foundations—particularly within the tech and innovation ecosystems of Silicon Valley and beyond.
Leverage and expand high‑value networks across technology and philanthropy to identify, engage, and secure funding partnerships aligned with IRC’s mission and Airbel’s innovation agenda.
Lead the full lifecycle of major gift development—from prospect identification and first engagement through proposal design, negotiation, and close—driving multi‑year, high‑impact commitments.
Strategically leverage AI tools for prospect research, donor communications, and pipeline management while ensuring all AI‑generated content is reviewed for accuracy, authenticity, and alignment with IRC’s mission.
Craft compelling, donor‑facing materials and narratives that translate complex technical and programmatic work into clear, inspiring pitches, collaborating closely with program and research teams to ensure accuracy and credibility.
Build and manage a robust, high‑potential pipeline of individual and family foundation prospects, ensuring systematic cultivation, disciplined follow‑up, and thoughtful long‑term stewardship.
Forge strategic relationships with key influencers and networks within the IRC network and externally that can facilitate introductions and broaden access within priority philanthropic communities.
Engage with Airbel’s Advisory Board to maximize strategic input, networks, and fundraising opportunities.
Collaborate across IRC’s global fundraising, program, and leadership teams to align donor interests with high‑impact opportunities and contribute to broader corporate and foundation partnership efforts.
Represent IRC and Airbel externally at major philanthropic, innovation, and industry events, positioning the organization as a trusted and forward‑thinking partner for high‑impact giving.
Required Qualifications
6‑8 years of experience in resource mobilization, development, or philanthropic partnerships, with demonstrated success securing major gifts ($100 K+) dedicated to research and innovations from high‑net‑worth individuals and family foundations.
Demonstrated access to networks of high‑net‑worth philanthropists, particularly within tech and Silicon Valley communities, with strong familiarity with Silicon Valley philanthropic culture and ability to leverage these relationships for new partnership opportunities.
Proven track record of managing complex gift cycles from identification through closure, including experience with proposal development, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to translate technical content into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
Strong ability to quickly develop substantive knowledge across new subject areas and engage meaningfully with technical experts and program staff.
Experience working in global nonprofit, humanitarian, or development contexts with understanding of philanthropic landscape and donor motivations. Ideal to have experience working within complex large organizations to accomplish goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience in family office, foundation, or corporate philanthropy roles providing insider perspective on philanthropic decision‑making.
Existing relationships within humanitarian, development, or social innovation networks.
Background in tech industry or innovation.
Compensation Compensation: Pay Range: $120,000 - $150,000
Equal Opportunity Employer IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
US Benefits US Benefits:
10 sick days, 10 U.S. holidays, 20–25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure; medical insurance beginning at $143 per month, dental at $6.50 per month, vision at $5 per month; FSA for health and commuter costs; a 403b retirement plan with match; disability and life insurance; Employee Assistance Program offering counseling and support.
Professional Standards All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way—Standards for Professional Conduct, including principles of Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability, and policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation.
#J-18808-Ljbffr