Director of Philanthropy, VP

Lead Our Fundraising Strategy

• Youll own CRLs annual and multi-year revenue goals across grants and individual giving, and build and carry out the plan to reach them through foundation, major individual, and corporate giving and endowment growth. Youll position our philanthropy program to advance CRLs broader goals, making sure the dollars we raise line up with our research, policy, and advocacy priorities. Youll manage the fundraising calendar and staff roles, working closely with colleagues across CRL to meet our goals and deadlines.

Grow and Deepen Funder Relationships

• Youll find new funders and grow the number of foundations and individual donors who support our work. Youll lead meetings with current and prospective funders and represent CRL at conferences and other events. When it makes sense, youll bring CRL Board and Advisory Board members into the work of building support.

Tell CRLs Story to Funders

• Youll write, or guide the writing of, proposals, reports, and stewardship communications that show funders what their support makes possible.

Keep Fundraising on Track

• Youll track solicitations, expected gifts, pledges, and income, and give executive leadership and the Board monthly fundraising updates on progresstoward goals, including projected versus actual revenue and expenses. Youll coordinate grant tracking and reporting with CRL staff, Self-Helps resource development team, and accounting staff.

Build a Culture of Fundraising

• Youll lead and coach the Philanthropy Manager, helping them grow their skills and do their best work. Youll serve as the go-to advisor and coach for CRL leaders, Board members, and staff on fundraising, helping everyone play a part in building support. Youll take on other duties as needed to help CRL meet its goals.

What You'll Need

• A bachelors degree and at least 5 to 7 years of fundraising experience with foundations, corporations, and/or major individual donors. A graduate degree is preferred. A proven record of meeting or exceeding annual and multi-year revenue goals, including grants and individual giving. Demonstrated experience strategically positioning philanthropic programs to achieve broader organizational goals. Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to lead, develop, and motivate staff and to work well both as a leader and as part of a team. The ability to start and build strong relationships with potential funders and key stakeholders. Confidence reporting to executive leadership and a Board. Excellent written and oral communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Experience with fundraising databases and systems. The ability to understand, interpret, and explain program and organizational budgets and financial statements. Familiarity with lending and financial services terms and legal language, or the ability to learn them quickly. The ability to start and juggle multiple projects and work independently. The ability to act quickly on urgent, unplanned opportunities or needs. A strong commitment to CRLs mission of creating economic opportunity for traditionally underserved communities, and to working as part of a diverse organization. A preference for working in organizations that make teamwork and collaboration a priority. Experience in marketing, investor relations, community economic development, or financial services is a plus. The ability to demonstrate Self-Helps Core Values:
  • Mission Before Self Service With Excellence Embracing & Promoting Change Results Not Credit Diversity as a Strength Financial Sustainability for Mission Impact

Work Arrangements

The Director of Philanthropy is a hybrid role. Staff are expected to be in the office three days per week, with Monday and Wednesday as communal days and the third day determined by each individual. This role includes regular travel, including some overnight trips, to meet with funders and attend events

Compensation Philosophy & Benefits

CRL believes that wealth inequality undermines the security and strength of families, communities, and the US economy. For that reason, we maintain a minimum salary floor well above the federal minimum wage for our staff, to help them meet their basic needs and save for the future. We also cap salaries at the higher end of our compensation scale, where many staff, including the CEO and other senior leaders, earn the same salary, subject only to geographic adjustments.

Salary

Durham, NC: $94,800- 126,610 (NC Cap)
Washington, DC $109,400 153,738 (DC Cap)

Compensation ranges are based on local market rates and are determined by geography, role, and experience. The higher end of each range represents the current organizational salary cap for each location, which increases annually based on cost of living and organizational performance.

Health

• Medical, dental & vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, with 80% to 100% of premiums paid by Self-Help depending on coverage levels selected. Employee Assistance Program Access

Paid Time Off

• Vacation accrued at 15 days/year; sick time accrued at 12 days/year. 11 paid holidays. Paid parental leave of 12-16 weeks, prorated for staff with less than 1 year of service. 

Financial Wellbeing

• 401k match - 3% company contribution, plus an additional $1 for $1 on the first 6% that the employee contributes. CRL-paid life insurance of $50,000, plus long-term disability and accidental death & dismemberment coverage. CRL-paid life insurance of $50,000, plus long-term disability and accidental death & dismemberment coverage. Tuition reimbursement: As a 501(c)(3) organization, employment with CRL may provide an opportunity for student loan forgiveness. Candidates should review the provisions of their student loans to determine if this is applicable.

CRL is an affiliate of Self-Help, a community development lender founded in 1980. Youll see Self-Helps name during our hiring process, because Self-Help provides HR and recruiting support to CRL. Our Workday recruitment site carries the Self-Help name, but rest assured, you are applying for a position with CRL.

To apply, you must complete the application through our company website.  If you have questions or run into trouble with the site, you can contact us at CRL.recruitment@responsiblelending.org. We are happy to help.

Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. CRLs work focuses on those who may be marginalized or underserved by the existing financial marketplace, or in many cases, people who are targeted for unfair and abusive financial products that leave them worse off. This includes people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities. Diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the identities and experiences of the communities we serve.

Interview Process CRLs aim is that the hiring process is both robust and efficient, ensuring that there is time for mutual discovery along the way. For this role, candidates can expect a phone screen, video interview with the hiring manager, a panel interview, and an on-site final interview. Once the interview process begins, we anticipate it will take 4-6 weeks until an offer is made and communicated. The Center for Responsible Lending is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.

Self-Help is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Who We Are

The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization working to ensure a fair, inclusive financial marketplace that creates opportunities for all. Through research, legal analysis, policy development, and state and national advocacy engagement, CRL fights for economic equity for underserved communitiesincluding Black and brown communities, low-to-middle income families, and rural families. CRLs staff, allies, and funders reflect a collective commitment to eliminating systemic injustice in Americas financial services.

CRL provides a strong voice on both the state and national levels for these families to expand family wealth and financial stability through sustainable homeownership, affordable higher education, and support for small businesses. We also protect their financial stability by preventing harmful products that trap families in debt and strip away their income including predatory high-cost lending and other unfair financial practices. CRL is an affiliate of Self-Help, a community development lender founded in 1980.

The Julian Bond Institute (JBI) produces research that illuminates the financial barriers families face, builds the evidence base for policy change, and holds the financial system accountable to the communities it must serve with the rigor of academic research and the urgency of a civil rights mandate. JBI was launched in early 2025 as part of CRL.

Company Disclaimer

Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.

The Center for Responsible Lending is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, class, age, religion, disability that can be accommodated, marital status, ancestry, nationality, family status or sexual orientation.

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