Vice President of Philanthropy

Position Overview:

The Vice President of Philanthropy plays a vital role in advancing Kupu’s mission to empower youth through environmental stewardship, service-learning, and place-based leadership development. This executive leadership position oversees all aspects of fund development, donor engagement, philanthropic strategy, and revenue growth. Responsible for overseeing fundraising and Kupu’s MALU initiative.

Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the VP of Philanthropy partners closely with the Board to develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy. This leader must be both strategic and relational, grounded in ethical fundraising practices, culturally responsive engagement, and long-term sustainability planning. The role requires a seasoned fundraising professional who builds and sustains high-level partnerships, stewards major donors, grows institutional funding, and cultivates a strong, cohesive philanthropy team aligned with Kupu’s CHOSEN values through place-based philanthropy leadership.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Cultural & Organizational Leadership

• Conduct oneself with aloha and exemplify Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values
• Conduct oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission
• Actively contribute as a strategic leader within the Executive Committee
• Support cross-departmental alignment
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization
• Support organizational initiatives including strategic planning, annual budgeting, and long-range forecasting
• Represent Kupu at community, civic, and philanthropic events
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical fundraising standards

Strategic Fund Development Leadership

• Provide overall strategic direction and oversight for all fundraising efforts, including major gifts, institutional giving, corporate partnerships, annual fund, events, and planned giving
• In collaboration with the CEO and Board, create and maintain a comprehensive, multi-year development plan
• Develop revenue projections aligned with organizational growth targets
• Design and implement diversified revenue strategies to mitigate funding risk
• Lead data-informed decision-making across fundraising programs
• Lead feasibility studies for major campaigns or endowment initiatives
• Establish measurable KPIs and dashboards for fundraising performance
• Monitor and evaluate progress toward annual and long-term fundraising goals
• Partner with Accounting to ensure accurate revenue forecasting and reconciliation
• Partner with External Affairs to align fundraising messaging with organizational brand and strategic priorities

Institutional Giving & Grant Strategy Oversight

• Develop strategic corporate partnership models beyond sponsorships
• Oversee strategy for foundation, government, and institutional funding
• Ensure alignment between program outcomes, reporting requirements, and further expectations
• Collaborate with all stakeholder departments on grant budgets, compliance, and deliverables
• Cultivate long-term relationships with institutional funders
• Monitor grant performance and renewal pipelines

Major & Principal Gift Leadership

• Oversee gift acceptance, donor privacy, and ethical standards
• Maintain a portfolio of principal and major donors
• Personally solicit and steward high-capacity donors
• Develop customized cultivation and stewardship plans
• Support CEO and Board in donor engagement and solicitation strategies
• Lead campaign strategy and execution when applicable
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to charitable giving compliance

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Partner with the Board of Directors and appropriate committees
• Provide regular fundraising reports and strategy updates
• Support Board member engagement in cultivation and solicitation efforts
• Develop Board fundraising training and capacity-building sessions

Team Leadership & Management

• Build future fundraising leadership capacity
• Establish performance expectations and conduct evaluations
• Support professional development and succession planning
• Ensure ethical fundraising standards consistent with AFP guidelines
• Oversee CRM utilization, data integrity, and reporting processes

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. Preferred fields include Nonprofit management, business, public administration, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership
• Demonstrated success securing 6- and 7-figure gifts
• Experience leading capital or major fundraising campaigns
• Experience partnering with Boards of Directors
• Strong financial acumen and ability to align development strategy with organizational budgeting
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce or similar)
• Demonstrated understanding of Hawaiʻi’s philanthropic and cultural landscape
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to travel throughout the State of Hawai’i. Possible travel beyond Hawai’i 

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration, or related field preferred
• CFRE credential
• Experience in youth development, conservation, education, or service-based nonprofits
• Experience building or growing an endowment
• Familiarity with public-private partnerships
• Experience in culturally grounded fundraising practices in Hawaiʻi
• Fluency in or familiarity with Ōlelo Hawai’i or demonstrated cultural competency in place-based leadership

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation) 

• Ability to present information to small and large audiences
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations in public and professional settings
• Ability to communicate clearly to diverse audiences
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Ability to speak, comprehend, and fully converse in English
• Ability to represent Kupu through public presentations, briefings, and speaking engagements
• Ability to convey complex information clearly to internal and external audiences
• Ability to travel/commute locally for donor meetings
• Ability to attend events in the evenings and/or weekends as needed
• Frequent use of computer, phone, and presentation equipment for extended periods