Position Overview:  

The Philanthropic Advisor bridges the passions of generous donors with critical community needs, helping fundholders achieve high-impact philanthropy. This role is responsible for strategically guiding Seattle Foundation donors and fundholders, fostering long-term relationships, and partnering to achieve their philanthropic goals. The Philanthropic Advisor is a trusted partner who proactively identifies opportunities, provides tailored advice, and ensures donors’ giving achieves maximum community impact.

This is a highly proactive role requiring a self-starter who can operate independently, drive initiatives, and engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders—from individual donors and multi-generational families to nonprofit partners and professional advisors. This role meets fundholders and donors where they are in their giving journey and guides them toward high impact through intentional advising.

Key Responsibilities

The Philanthropic Advisor is accountable for driving donor impact, portfolio growth and strategic engagement.

Strategic Donor Advisory & Impact

• Serve as a trusted advisor to fundholders, helping them identify and achieve their philanthropic goals. Offer personalized advising to assigned funds to achieve their philanthropic goals and share opportunities for supporting organizational priorities.
• Develop strategic giving plans, including guidance on fund agreements and complex philanthropic structures, aligned with Seattle Foundation’s mission and best practices.
• Proactively identify opportunities for donors to increase giving and maximize impact, connecting them to relevant community initiatives and Foundation programs.
• Meet fundholders where they are, engage in thoughtful conversations about the intended and unintended impact of giving, explore how to support positive community impact, and be curious about assumptions.

Relationship Management & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with diverse donors, prospective fundholders, financial advisors, nonprofit endowment partners, and professional advisors. Adapt to the culture and workstyle of clients to build trust and working partnerships.
• Lead business development initiatives to grow the Foundation’s philanthropic portfolio.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify alignment and co-investment opportunities supporting strategic priorities.
• Represent the Foundation in the community through speaking engagements, professional networks, and public events.
• Provide support for special events and other donor-related engagements.

Fund & Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of funds using the Seattle Foundation advising framework, setting clear goals for grantmaking, replenishments, and long-term plans.
• Provide both responsive and proactive personalized stewardship including proposals, reports, and updates.
• Work independently to manage a portfolio of donor advised funds in collaboration with team members, and support team advising practices.
• Track and document donor interactions, progress, and opportunities in the Foundation’s database.
• Coordinate across internal teams to ensure seamless execution of donor objectives and organizational priorities, including growing alignment and co-investment opportunities.

Program & Event Leadership

• Plan and facilitate donor education workshops and contribute to events that raise community awareness and support.
• Partner in designing outreach strategies and materials that engage donors and expand philanthropic impact.
• Lead or contribute to cross-department initiatives, special projects, and task forces as needed.

Continuous Learning & Sector Expertise

• Stay current on philanthropic trends, community issues, and best practices in giving.
• Advise donors on emerging opportunities and innovations in philanthropy. Educate fundholders about charitable options and engage in awareness building activities.
• Bring creativity and thought leadership to the role, proactively suggesting improvements in donor engagement, business development and Foundation strategies.

What Are We Looking For?

Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge and demonstrated experience in:

• 5+ years of experience in philanthropic advising, development, major gift fundraising, or corporate giving, preferably in a nonprofit or community-based organization.
• Demonstrated experience advising high-net-worth individuals, couples and multigenerational families.
• Proven track record in portfolio management including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience in strategic planning for donor giving, including knowledge of charitable giving vehicles, trends and opportunities.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with a high-quality customer-service orientation.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including writing/editing collateral (custom proposals, reports, etc.), confidence in public speaking and strong active listening skills (an ability to listen, assess, and identify appropriate resources and implement solutions).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Relational Databases.
• Strong organizational and project management skills including attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and be composed under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team in a fast-paced, evolving work environment.
• Demonstrated initiative and a proactive approach to continual improvement.
• Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Seattle Foundation.
• Willing and able to engage in conversations that may challenge predominant narratives and/or views on philanthropy or communities.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: 

Seattle Foundation envisions a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, where all individuals and communities have equitable access and outcomes, regardless of race, place, or identity. We are committed to advancing racial equity using an intersectional lens, and integrate our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into all that we do. We hold ourselves accountable to uphold our organizational values, and strive to do better every day. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

The work is performed fully in-person, or hybrid (remote and in-person), in an office setting. All positions require the capability of working at a PC for extended periods. Team efforts with event support may require periods of physical activity involving standing, walking, and moderate lifting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions of the role.