Philanthropic Advisor

Passion. Purpose. Impact. CJP is at the heart of Greater Boston’s Jewish community, and our reach is felt around the world. The BBJ ranks CJP as Massachusetts’ largest nonprofit organization. As a philanthropic investor, CJP mobilizes people, resources, and skills to make a bigger difference locally and globally.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) seeks a Philanthropic Advisor to join its Philanthropic Strategies team as a frontline fundraiser focused on securing six-figure and above gifts, including principal gifts of $1M+. This role combines principal gift work with growing CJP’s pipeline of $250,000+ donors, soliciting select principal gift prospects, qualifying new high-capacity prospects, moving engaged donors to their first major or campaign commitment, and helping donors use CJP’s Donor Advised Fund to grow their giving. The ideal candidate is an accomplished major gift officer with a strong record of closing six-figure and above gifts who is ready to take on larger, more complex commitments as part of CJP’s comprehensive campaign.

About the Opportunity

The Philanthropic Advisor manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects at the $250,000+ level and works closely with the VP, Philanthropic Strategies, the Gift Planning and Annual Campaign teams, lay leaders, and the broader development team. The role blends principal gift work with pipeline building: stewarding and soliciting a select group of principal gift prospects, while discovering and qualifying new prospects and deepening relationships with donors who are poised to make significant gifts. The role offers direct exposure to campaign-level fundraising, close collaboration with senior leadership and lay leaders, and a clear path for professional growth.

Essential Functions

• Major Gift Portfolio Management
  Manage a defined portfolio of approximately 125-150 major gift donors and prospects, including principal gift prospects ($1M+) alongside a meaningful share of newly identified and not-yet-qualified prospects. The expectation is 12-15 meaningful donor contacts per month, with an emphasis on in-person visits. Maintain complete and timely records of all donor interactions in CJP’s CRM system.
• Discovery & Qualification Lead discovery outreach to unassigned and newly identified high-capacity prospects, including referrals from research, lay leaders, and the DAF program. Assess capacity, inclination, and interests; qualify or disqualify prospects promptly; and bring qualified prospects into active cultivation. Participate actively in prospect management meetings and contribute to pipeline development.
• Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship Develop and carry out individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward each donor in the portfolio. Independently solicit major gifts at the $250,000+ level, and lead or co-lead principal gift solicitations in partnership with the VP, Philanthropic Strategies, the CEO, and top volunteers. Connect donors with CJP leadership, program staff, and lay leaders, and help plan events, missions, and engagement opportunities that deepen involvement.
• Comprehensive Campaign Support Serve as a frontline fundraiser in CJP’s comprehensive campaign, a 5-7 year effort to strengthen and expand Jewish communal life locally, in Israel, and around the world. Working within the campaign strategy set by the Chief Philanthropy Officer and campaign leadership, the Philanthropic Advisor will:

• • Advance assigned prospects toward first-time, upgraded, and principal-level campaign commitments
  • Develop solicitation strategies, briefings, and proposals for assigned major and principal gift prospects
  • Steward campaign donors so they remain engaged long-term partners in CJP’s vision

• Donor Upgrade Partnership with Annual Campaign Partner with the Annual Campaign team to identify leadership annual donors with major gift potential and manage a thoughtful transition into integrated major gift relationships, ensuring each donor’s annual commitment is protected and grown alongside any campaign, endowment, or DAF gift.
• Donor Advised Fund Growth & Philanthropic Counsel Serve as a resource for donors exploring CJP’s Donor Advised Fund, guiding them through establishing, funding, and strategically using their DAF. Identify donors who are strong candidates to open a DAF or make greater use of an existing one. Introduce donors to the full range of giving vehicles, including annual campaign commitments, endowment funds, DAFs, and planned gifts, and partner with the AVP, Gift Planning on planned and blended gifts and gifts of appreciated assets.
• Jewish Community Knowledge & Donor Engagement Build a working knowledge of the Jewish organizations, agencies, and programs across CJP’s service area. Share information, arrange introductions and site visits, and help donors, including DAF participants, connect their values with the work of community partners.
• Volunteer Engagement Support volunteer solicitors and staff fundraising committees as assigned. Build relationships between prospects and CJP trustees, campaign volunteers, and other lay leaders.
• Team Contribution Contribute to planning for the major gifts program, share pipeline insights with the team, and collaborate closely with colleagues across Philanthropic Strategies. This role has no direct reports.
• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 5-7 years of development experience, including at least 3 years of frontline major gift portfolio management
• Demonstrated success soliciting and closing gifts at the $100,000 level and above, with a record of upgrading donors to larger commitments
• Experience with discovery and qualification of new prospects and building a pipeline from the ground up
• Working knowledge of Donor Advised Funds and planned giving, and comfort engaging donors and their professional advisors
• Superb organizational, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills
• High level of discretion when handling sensitive donor information
• Familiarity with Jewish culture, values, communal life, and the local Jewish nonprofit landscape

Preferred

• Experience in a comprehensive campaign, including partnering on principal gift solicitations
• Experience in a Jewish communal organization or the CJP system
• Knowledge of the annual campaign model and how it integrates with major, endowment, and DAF giving
• Familiarity with Salesforce or a similar fundraising database
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and family foundations

Key Competencies

• Initiative: Self-starter who opens doors, pursues new prospects with persistence, and moves relationships forward.
• Relationship Building: Connects authentically, builds trust, and inspires philanthropic investment; demonstrates emotional intelligence and cultural competency.
• Results Orientation: Sets and meets ambitious activity and dollar goals; resilient over long cultivation timeframes.
• Strategic Thinking: Develops thoughtful donor strategies and knows when to bring in senior colleagues and leadership.
• Collaboration: Curious, flexible team player who works seamlessly across Philanthropic Strategies, Gift Planning, and Annual Campaign.
• Growth Mindset: Open to coaching and feedback; eager to take on larger and more complex gifts over time.
• Integrity: Holds the highest ethical standards; builds credibility through authenticity and follow-through.
• Mission Commitment: Passionate about strengthening the Jewish community through philanthropic engagement.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Work Schedule: CJP staff follow a hybrid work model. On-site work is required on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Remote work is an option on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with occasional in-person meetings on those days.
• Donor Engagement & Travel: This role requires regular local travel to meet donors in person, along with occasional evening events and travel outside the region.
• Physical Requirements: When in the office, this role involves working at a computer and sitting or standing for long periods. Staff need to be able to carry a laptop and bag to and from the office.
• Inclusivity: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds.