Title: Director of Philanthropy
Department: Advancement
Reports to: President
Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $126k–$180k

Position Summary

The Mind & Life Institute seeks a strategic, values-driven Director of Philanthropy to lead and grow a comprehensive fundraising program that supports our mission to bridge science and contemplative wisdom to foster insight and inspire action toward flourishing.

This role oversees all aspects of development including major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, donor relations, donor stewardship events, campaign design, and planned giving. The Director will cultivate partnerships aligned with our evolving focus on scaling impact. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, skilled communicator, and relationship builder who is committed to the inner transformation that drives human and planetary flourishing.

About the Position

Work Relationships:

Works closely with the President, the Board of Directors, the leadership team, and staff.

  • President & Leadership Team for strategic decision making, envisioning the future, and updates on status of gifts
  • Leadership Team for daily operations and decision making for the internal functioning of Mind & Life
  • Donors, partners, and Board for cultivation and stewardship of relationships and funding and for furthering organizational objectives
  • Staff for helping create a shared understanding that donor cultivation and stewardship is everyone’s responsibility
  • Manages staff and/or consultants as needed
Financial Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and Leadership Team, prepare the annual advancement budget, monitor spending, and provide periodic spending forecasts.

Environment:

Hybrid work environment; primarily remote, occasionally in-person.

Physical/Mental Demands:
  • Computer work
  • Sit, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lift and walk, and climb steps
  • Communicate by phone, writing, and speaking
  • Occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds
Travel:

Able to travel 25 times per year for donor visits, events, and Board meetings; occasional international travel.

Other:

This job description outlines the general responsibilities and requirements for the stated position and in no way is an exhaustive list. Mind and Life Institute maintains the right to assign or reassign responsibilities to this position at any time.

Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership
  • Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy, including plans for securing financial support from individuals and foundations, that aligns with Mind & Life’s strategic goals and supports operational and programmatic priorities
  • Lead all individual giving programs, including major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, and donor stewardship
  • Partner with leadership and the Board to identify prospects and co-create meaningful engagement strategies
Donor Engagement and Stewardship
  • Visit, call, and write donors and potential donors
  • Cultivate and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects, deepening relationships that reflect the values of compassion, curiosity, and integrity
  • Ensure thoughtful, consistent donor communication through personalized updates and impact stories
  • Plan and execute donor events and engagement opportunities, including those around flagship convenings such as the Summer Research Institute and Mind & Life Dialogues
Institutional and Foundation Giving
  • Collaborate with foundation giving staff to align proposals with strategic priorities
Collaboration and Culture
  • Works collaboratively as part of a self-starting team
  • Operates cross-functionally with communications, programs, and operations to ensure fundraising is integrated and aligned across the organization
  • Foster a culture of philanthropy and shared responsibility within the organization, including supporting Board engagement in fundraising.
Operations and Systems
  • Maintain accurate donor data and tracking through CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)
  • Track and report progress toward revenue goals and KPIs to senior leadership and the Board
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and ethical stands in the nonprofit sector regarding fundraising and financial management

Qualifications

Level of Education and Professional Licenses/Certifications
  • Bachelor’s degree is required
  • Professional fundraising certificate(s) preferred
Level of Experience
  • Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a strong track record in major gifts and donor strategy.
  • Has supervised team(s) of at least 2-3 people for at least 5 years. The essential responsibilities require the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
    • Energetic and charismatic leader with strong interpersonal skills and ability to represent the organization’s interests to a wide spectrum of constituent groups
    • Deep alignment with Mind & Life’s mission and values, including a commitment to inner work, compassion, and systems thinking
    • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to handle confidential materials with discretion
    • Experience in philanthropy, i.e., major donor outreach, an engagement circle model, grant development and planned giving campaign. Must possess familiarity with database management (ideally Salesforce)
    • Communications experience, including familiarity and proficiency with social and emerging media platforms, social media marketing platforms, as well as traditional media & marketing and public relations
    • Must have command of cultural sensitivity and value and embrace cultural, political, and social differences
    • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of Mind & Life Institute
    • Self-directed, collaborative, and highly organized, with an eye for both strategy and detail

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, generous time off, retreat time off, professional development support, and a flexible work environment.

Please submit your cover letter and resume to jobs@mindandlife.org using the subject line “Director of Philanthropy”

(Updated May 27, 2025)

About Mind & Life

At the Mind & Life Institute, we bring science and contemplative wisdom together to better understand the mind and promote human flourishing. Building on Mind & Life’s 38-year legacy and co-founder the Dalai Lama, we seek to foster insights and inspire action on how our inner lives contribute to individual, societal, and planetary flourishing. We’re committed to addressing mounting global challenges through our convenings, grantmaking, digital resources, and strategic partnerships. For more information, visit our About page.

Mind & Life is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to following best practices to support a thriving organization with a diversity of perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.