Executive Vice President/Chief Philanthropy Officer

Skip to content Executive Vice President/Chief Philanthropy Officer Wayfinder Family Services Los Angeles, CA Start Application View Position Brochure Here THE ORGANIZATION: Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and families through child welfare programs, including foster care and adoption; vision impairment and disability programs and medical and mental health programs. With an operating budget of $47 million, Wayfinder provides an array of services in 17 locations in 58 counties throughout California. Wayfinder provides a range of trauma-informed services to help children, youth and adults discover their path to sustained well-being. A CHANCE TO THRIVE Child development services, special education, recreation, independence, workforce development and mental health programs give people of all ages who have disabilities the opportunity to thrive. A SAFE HAVEN Safe, temporary shelter for youth who have been removed from their families due to maltreatment; medical and mental health services for youth who are in the child welfare system. A LOVING FAMILY Foster care, adoption, and children and family services to ensure that children have safe, loving homes. Wayfinder prides itself on a culture built upon core values. Those values are: Collaborative We can’t do it alone and we must do it together. We believe that fostering an environment where every voice is valued and respected leads to innovation. We work in partnership to address the holistic needs of children and families. Driven We do whatever it takes. We never give up. We take every opportunity to move forward in our strategic direction and to create meaningful change. Our tenacity and passion drive us to innovate and persist, no matter the challenge. Empathetic We seek to develop a deeper understanding of our children, families and one another by being inclusive, caring and authentic. We work to embed empathy into our decision-making, interactions, and actions. To learn more about Wayfinder Family Services, please visit www.wayfinderfamily.org . THE OPPORTUNITY Wayfinder Family Services seeks an accomplished, strategic, and relationship-driven Executive Vice President/Chief Philanthropy Officer (EVP/CPO) to lead the organization’s next chapter of philanthropic growth and community engagement. Reporting to the President & CEO, the EVP/CPO will provide strategic leadership for Wayfinder's fundraising and communications efforts while maintaining an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects. The EVP/CPO will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive philanthropy strategy that expands philanthropic investment, strengthens donor engagement, and advances the organization's long-term fundraising capacity and visibility. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the EVP/CPO will serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO, a trusted partner to the Board of Directors, and a visible ambassador for Wayfinder in the community, positioning philanthropy as a strategic driver of mission impact and long-term sustainability. The EVP/CPO will lead a team of eight professionals, including four direct reports: the Associate Vice President, Foundation Relations; Associate Vice President, Development & Donor Relations; Associate Vice President, Development; and Associate Vice President, Communications. Fundraising & Community Engagement Assumes primary accountability for achieving and significantly growing Wayfinder's annual $5.8 million in private revenue by developing and executing a comprehensive, data-informed fundraising strategy that expands and diversifies the organization's donor base. Leads comprehensive major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, donor stewardship, and community engagement programs to maximize philanthropic support. Builds and maintains a robust prospect pipeline by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners to expand philanthropic support. Partners closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate strategic donor relationships, strengthen Board engagement in fundraising, and personally solicit leadership and major gifts. Ensures an exceptional donor experience through meaningful stewardship, cultivation activities, fundraising events, and timely communications that demonstrate the impact of philanthropic investment. Establishes and maintains a sophisticated advancement infrastructure, including donor systems, prospect management, fundraising processes, gift recognition, and performance metrics to support sustainable fundraising growth. Leadership Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring fundraising and communications strategies are aligned with organizational priorities while contributing to agency-wide strategic planning, decision-making, and organizational growth. Functions as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO by identifying philanthropic opportunities, informing organizational strategy, refining messaging, and advancing Wayfinder's external positioning. Fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture built on trust, accountability, belonging, transparency, and continuous improvement while strengthening partnerships across departments. Recruits, develops, coaches, and retains a high-performing team through effective leadership, performance management, succession planning, and ongoing professional development. Participates in the development and implementation of organizational goals, strategic initiatives, policies, priorities, and performance measures for assigned areas of responsibility. Partners with the Board of Directors by supporting Board and committee activities and presenting fundraising performance, strategic priorities, and emerging opportunities. Promotes