Vice President of Philanthropy

The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) is looking for an accomplished, strategic fundraising executive to serve as Vice President of Philanthropy. The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven fundraising leader who can develop long-term philanthropic partnerships, lead a high-performing team, and translate AAWL’s mission and strategic priorities into meaningful donor investment.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Philanthropy is responsible for developing and executing AAWL’s comprehensive fundraising and philanthropic strategy. This position leads efforts to secure sustainable revenue through major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorships, grants, planned giving, and fundraising events.

The Vice President of Philanthropy provides leadership and oversight for fundraising, marketing, communications, and branding initiatives while building strong relationships with major donors, community partners, and the Board of Directors. This role combines strategic leadership with direct donor portfolio management, including cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership-level gifts. The Vice President will lead efforts to complete AAWL’s $10.6 million Tails of Togetherness Capital Campaign while strengthening annual giving and planned giving opportunities.

This position reports directly to the CEO and oversees the Development and Marketing teams, including directly supervising a Major Gifts Officer, Development Manager and Senior Marketing & Communications Manager.

ABOUT AAWL:

AAWL has served the Phoenix community for more than 50 years as Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. While our roots are in animal rescue and adoptions, we have evolved into a community-centered organization dedicated to keeping pets and families together. Our programs provide affordable veterinary care, pet resources for families in need, and lifesaving rescue and adoption services for thousands of dogs and cats each year.

Through our new Tails of Togetherness Capital Campaign, AAWL is investing in installing air conditioning for our dog kennels, building a new Pet Community Center, and expanding access to community veterinary services.

We are in the final stretch of our $10.6 million Capital Campaign, having achieved 70% of our fundraising goal, and the new VP of Philanthropy will play a pivotal role in providing critical administrative support to our active, out-the-door solicitation team as we close this campaign strong.

Learn more about our Capital Campaign here.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy and Major Gift Development

Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to support AAWL’s operational needs, strategic priorities, and long-term financial sustainability.
Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major and leadership-level donor prospects, cultivating relationships, identifying giving opportunities, soliciting significant gifts, and ensuring ongoing donor stewardship.
Partner closely with the President & CEO to support and advance a targeted and strategic portfolio through solicitations, donor briefings, correspondence, and coordinated relationship management.
Lead efforts to secure five- and six-figure gifts and develop multi-year philanthropic commitments.
Evaluate existing revenue streams and strengthen annual giving, recurring donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, planned giving, and other fundraising opportunities.
Develop and implement annual fundraising plans, revenue projections, and strategies to achieve established fundraising goals.
Identify opportunities to increase predictable, sustainable philanthropic revenue to enhance fluctuating bequest income.
Oversee donor prospect research, relationship development, solicitation planning, and stewardship practices.

Capital Campaign Leadership

Lead fundraising strategy and execution for AAWL’s $10.6 million Tails of Togetherness Capital Campaign, which supports improvements to dog kennels via new air conditioning, invests in building a new Pet Community Center, and expands access to community veterinary services.
Build on the campaign’s existing fundraising progress by securing leadership and major gifts needed to achieve the campaign goal.
Develop and execute strategies to advance the campaign toward its anticipated public launch in summer 2027.
Partner with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and Capital Campaign Cabinet to identify prospects, coordinate solicitations, and engage campaign volunteers.
Monitor campaign performance, communicate progress, and adjust strategies to address fundraising opportunities and challenges.

Marketing, Communications, and Brand Strategy

Provide strategic oversight for AAWL’s marketing, communications, public relations, and branding functions, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fundraising objectives.
Guide and support the Senior Marketing & Communications Manager in developing messaging, impact reporting, digital storytelling, and campaigns that strengthen donor engagement and philanthropic investment.
Review overarching communications and marketing strategies to ensure consistent messaging and alignment across departments.
Serve as a primary spokesperson for AAWL, communicating the organization’s mission, impact, strategic vision, and funding priorities to donors, community partners, and external audiences.
Ensure organizational storytelling effectively demonstrates the impact of donor contributions and supports donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.

Team Leadership and Board Engagement

Lead, mentor, and develop the philanthropy team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth opportunities.
Provide oversight for fundraising, marketing, communications, and branding functions, supporting effective coordination among team members and external vendors.
Work collaboratively with executive leadership and department leaders to align fundraising priorities with organizational needs and strategic initiatives.
Staff the Capital Campaign Cabinet and support Board members and campaign volunteers in identifying prospects, cultivating relationships, and participating in fundraising activities.
Provide leadership, guidance, and resources that enable the team to meet established goals and deliver effective fundraising and communications programs.

Budget Management and Operational Oversight

Oversee the philanthropy department budget, fundraising expenditures, revenue forecasting, and financial performance.
Establish and monitor fundraising metrics, donor pipeline activity, campaign progress, and annual giving performance.
Use fundraising data and donor management systems to evaluate results, identify opportunities, and inform strategic decisions.
Ensure accurate donor records, effective fundraising processes, and appropriate stewardship practices.
Collaborate with executive leadership and other departments to align philanthropic resources with AAWL’s operational needs and long-term strategic goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in animal welfare or the nonprofit sector, with progressively responsible leadership experience.
Minimum of five years of supervisory or management experience.
Minimum of five years of demonstrated success in major gift solicitation, capital campaign leadership, and donor portfolio management.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and secure significant philanthropic commitments.
Strong understanding of annual giving, planned giving, grant development, donor engagement, prospect research, and fundraising strategy.
Experience developing fundraising plans, managing budgets, forecasting revenue, and evaluating fundraising performance.
Experience leading teams and collaborating with executive leadership, board members, volunteers, and external partners.
Proficiency with fundraising customer relationship management (CRM) systems and donor data analysis.
Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to communicate an organization’s mission, impact, and funding priorities effectively to diverse audiences.
Advanced degree and/or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred.
Demonstrated passion for animal welfare and commitment to AAWL’s mission.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong strategic thinking, planning, and organizational skills.
Proven ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with high-capacity donors and philanthropic partners.
Ability to balance executive-level strategy with hands-on fundraising and direct portfolio management.
Strong leadership, team development, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve measurable fundraising goals.
Sound financial judgment and the ability to use data to guide decisions and improve performance.
Professionalism, integrity, discretion, and a commitment to donor confidentiality.
Ability to represent AAWL effectively in public, professional, and community settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS

Full-time (40 hours/week), flexible schedule with donor visits prioritized over desk time.
In-office role based in Phoenix, with time spent at AAWL’s shelter and in the community meeting donors.
Occasional evenings and weekends for donor events and activities.
The work takes place in an emotionally demanding environment located inside an animal shelter and requires high emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with deeply compassionate colleagues.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Generous leave policies, including 20 days PTO and 40 paid sick hours, plus 12 paid holidays annually.
100% employer-paid medical and life insurance; dental, vision, and supplemental options available.
Employer support professional development.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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