Step 01
Explore institution types
Compare private, family, community and corporate foundations.
Explore work that moves resources toward impact
Careers in Philanthropy
Explore careers in philanthropy across grantmaking, donor services, community investment, research, evaluation, operations, finance and foundation leadership.
Search nonprofit jobsExplore job-seeker resources
A practical roadmap
Find the philanthropic function that fits your strengths
Step 02
Choose a function
Consider programs, grants management, donor services, evaluation, operations or leadership.
Step 03
Build relevant knowledge
Learn grantmaking practice, community partnership and nonprofit finance.
Step 04
Demonstrate judgment
Show how you handle information, relationships, accountability and competing priorities.
What to evaluate
Make an informed mission-driven career decision
Philanthropy includes far more than approving grants. Organizations need professionals who can build relationships, manage systems, evaluate information, communicate decisions and steward resources responsibly.
- Community foundations often combine donor services and local leadership
- Corporate philanthropy may connect giving with employee and business initiatives
- Program officers frequently manage portfolios and external relationships
- Operations and grants management are essential philanthropic careers
Search strategy
Use exact role titles, adjacent titles, mission areas and location terms. Read the full posting to understand authority, compensation, workplace expectations and measures of success.
Search all current jobsCurrent opportunities
Explore relevant roles on Foundation List
Review current openings while applying the guidance on this page. Job titles vary, so compare the actual responsibilities rather than relying on title alone.
Center for Social Sector Leadership / Packard Foundation
Sep.
Access Fund
Sep.
Step Up Tutoring
Sep.
Savanna Institute
Sep.
Trillium Family Services
Sep.
Mad Agriculture
Sep.
Advocates for Life Skills and Opportunity (ALSO)
Sep.
Coastal Community Foundation
Aug.
Woodcock Foundation
Aug.
Northeastern Illinois University
Aug.
ICA.Fund
Aug.
Development and Grants Director
A Full-time Job
Indiana Blind Children's Foundation
Aug.
Strategic Advisor to the CEO
A Full-time Job
Encore Community Services
Aug.
Vice President of Philanthropy
A Full-time Job
Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation
Aug.
Director of Development
A Full-time Job
Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments
Aug.
Executive Director
A Full-time Job
GreenLight Fund
Aug.
Vice President, People & Culture
A Full-time Job
Community Initiatives
Aug.
Regional Director of Philanthropy, Western Missouri
A Full-time Job
Gateway to Hope
Aug.
Director of Development
A Full-time Job
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Aug.
VP, Philanthropy
A Full-time Job
Housing Partnership Network
Aug.
Administrator
Part-time
Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation
Jul.
Senior Strategic Partnerships Officer
A Full-time Job
Women's World Banking
Jul.
Communications and Development Coordinator
A Full-time Job
Center for Effective Philanthropy
Jul.
Chief Financial Officer
A Full-time Job
Vermont Foodbank
Jul.
Associate Director of Development - West Coast Region
A Full-time Job
Hadassah
Jul.
Continue exploring
Related nonprofit career resources
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
What jobs exist in philanthropy?
Common roles include program officer, grants manager, philanthropic advisor, evaluation officer, donor services director and foundation executive.
Do philanthropy jobs require fundraising experience?
Not always. Requirements depend on whether the role focuses on grantmaking, donor services, operations, research, finance or another function.
Philanthropy includes more than grantmaking
Explore the functions that move resources toward public benefit
Philanthropy careers can include program strategy, grantmaking, grants management, evaluation, operations, finance, legal, communications, philanthropic advising, donor services and community engagement. The right path depends on whether you want to focus on relationships, analysis, operations, strategy or administration.
Job seekers should learn how different philanthropic institutions operate. Community foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, private foundations and donor-advised fund organizations can have very different governance, client or donor relationships and decision-making processes.
Understand the work behind philanthropy
Philanthropy careers span grantmaking, operations, research, advising and relationship management
Working in philanthropy can mean evaluating grants, managing a funding portfolio, researching issues, supporting foundation operations, advising donors, managing learning and evaluation, building community relationships or leading an institution. The sector includes private foundations, family foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, donor-advised fund sponsors and other grantmaking organizations. Because structures differ, candidates should compare the work and authority attached to each position rather than assuming all foundation roles operate the same way.
Candid Learning provides free training and resources for nonprofit and social-sector professionals and is a useful external resource for understanding fundraising and philanthropy concepts. Within Foundation List, explore Philanthropy Jobs, Foundation Program Officer Jobs, Grantmaking Jobs, Program Officer Salary Guide and Career Resources.
Program and grantmaking roles
Program Officers and grantmaking professionals may review proposals, conduct due diligence, manage portfolios, communicate with grantees, track learning and bring recommendations into internal decision processes. Some positions emphasize subject expertise, while others emphasize relationship management, research, grants administration or strategy.
Foundation operations and administration
Grantmaking institutions also need finance, HR, technology, communications, executive support, grants management and operations professionals. These roles can resemble work in other organizations but may include foundation-specific systems, governance or grantmaking processes.
Community and donor-facing careers
Community foundations and philanthropic-advisory organizations may involve donor services, community engagement, philanthropic advising, fund administration and partnership development. These positions can require a combination of relationship skills, community knowledge, financial understanding and the ability to translate donor interests into responsible grantmaking processes.
How to enter philanthropy
Relevant experience may come from nonprofits, public service, research, education, finance, communications, program delivery or community work. When transitioning, explain how your experience connects to the foundation's portfolio, stakeholders or function. Learn the language of grants and philanthropy, but avoid assuming that nonprofit service delivery and institutional grantmaking are interchangeable.
Explore current philanthropy and foundation opportunities
Compare program, grantmaking, operations, executive and advisory roles across mission-driven employers.
Frequently asked questions about careers in philanthropy
What types of jobs are available in philanthropy?
Common areas include program and grantmaking, grants management, research and learning, philanthropic advising, community engagement, finance, operations, communications, HR and executive leadership.
Do I need previous foundation experience to work in philanthropy?
Not always. Foundations often value relevant subject expertise, nonprofit experience, research, relationship management, finance, operations or other transferable skills. The closer your experience is to the actual role, the easier the transition is to explain.
What does a foundation Program Officer do?
Responsibilities can include managing a grant portfolio, reviewing proposals, conducting due diligence, communicating with grantees, researching issues, monitoring learning and preparing recommendations for internal decision makers.
What is the difference between grantmaking and fundraising?
Fundraising seeks resources for an organization, while grantmaking generally involves stewarding funds that a foundation or other funder distributes to eligible organizations or initiatives. The two functions interact but have different responsibilities and decision roles.
Are philanthropy jobs only found at private foundations?
No. Careers also exist at community foundations, corporate foundations, family foundations, donor-advised fund sponsors, philanthropic advisory organizations and other institutions involved in grantmaking or charitable assets.
What skills are useful for philanthropy careers?
Depending on the role, useful skills can include research, writing, analysis, relationship management, facilitation, grants administration, financial literacy, community engagement, project management and subject-matter expertise.
How can I make a transition from nonprofit work into a foundation?
Connect your experience to the foundation's actual portfolio and role. Show how your program, fundraising, research, operations or community knowledge applies to grantmaking or foundation operations and learn the decision processes that differ from direct service work.
Understand the different ways philanthropy organizations create impact
Philanthropy careers span grantmaking, donor services, research, operations and leadership
People often associate philanthropy careers only with Program Officer positions, but the field is much broader. Foundations, donor-advised fund sponsors, community foundations and other grantmaking organizations may hire professionals in grants management, evaluation, communications, finance, operations, donor services, research, legal, HR and executive leadership.
Career preparation depends on the function. Program and grantmaking roles may value subject-matter expertise, portfolio management, analysis and relationship building. Grants operations may emphasize systems, compliance and process. Philanthropic advising and donor services can require strong client communication and an understanding of charitable giving. Operations and finance roles support the infrastructure that makes grantmaking possible.
Candid is a useful external resource for learning about foundations, nonprofits and philanthropic data. On Foundation List, explore Philanthropy Jobs, Foundation Program Officer Jobs, Grantmaking Jobs, Foundation Operations Jobs and Working at a Foundation vs. a Nonprofit.