The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Vice President of Institutional Giving is a senior fundraising leader responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to grow and diversify institutional revenue through corporate partnerships, foundation giving, workplace giving, sponsorships, peer-to-peer events, and other strategic funding opportunities. This position leads a nationally distributed team and oversees fundraising strategy, revenue performance, budget management, team development, and innovation. The VP collaborates with senior leaders, internal partners, and external stakeholders to secure transformational funding opportunities, strengthen WWP's position as a premier philanthropic partner, and drive sustainable revenue growth and long-term mission impact.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES- Develop and implement a multi-year strategy focused on increasing revenue from corporations, foundations, and the peer-to-peer sector.
- Establish annual and long-range fundraising goals and performance metrics aligned with organizational priorities.
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, partnerships, sponsorships, and innovative revenue streams.
- Create and execute strategies that increase acquisition, retention, renewal, and upgrade opportunities across teams.
- Monitor emerging trends in philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, and foundation giving to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Collaborate with the Major Giving team, specifically as it relates to the cultivation and stewardship of family foundations.
- Provide leadership for all corporate partnership, peer-to-peer, and foundation fundraising activities.
- Build, cultivate, and maintain relationships with corporate executives, foundation leaders, board members, and key stakeholders.
- Lead cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and stewardship strategies for high-value institutional partnerships and grants.
- Collaborate with internal teams to align funding opportunities with organizational programs, initiatives, and strategic priorities.
- Serve as the executive sponsor for selected high-profile relationships.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, geographically dispersed team of fundraising professionals by establishing clear performance expectations, metrics, and professional development opportunities.
- Foster a collaborative, donor-centric culture by promoting effective communication and coordination among team members located throughout the country and maintaining focus on ambitious fundraising outcomes.
- Evaluate organizational structure and staffing needs to support growth objectives and market expansion, and collaborate with leadership to develop pathways for teammate growth.
- Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and revenue projections; analyze return on investment and fundraising effectiveness across revenue channels; and ensure accurate revenue forecasting and reporting for senior leadership.
- Monitor fundraising performance against goals and recommend and implement corrective action when necessary.
- Partner with senior leaders and teams across programs, marketing, communications, finance, operations, data, and other support functions to align efforts and maximize fundraising effectiveness.
- Ensure institutional fundraising priorities are integrated into organizational strategic initiatives.
- Collaborate on campaign development, impact reporting, engagement experiences, and thought leadership opportunities.
- Serve as a champion for philanthropy throughout the organization and help build a culture of fundraising success.
- Represent the organization at conferences, meetings, corporate events, community engagements, and industry forums, serving as a spokesperson and ambassador to strengthen its visibility and reputation within the philanthropic, corporate, and nonprofit communities.
- Drive a culture of accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement across fundraising operations.
- Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles.
- Other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES- Extensive knowledge of foundation and corporate giving, with the ability to recognize trends and implement appropriate strategies.
- Understanding of peer-to-peer fundraising and the intersections with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to close large corporate partners and transformational foundation gifts.
- Strong business acumen, with the ability to monitor, compile, and analyze data to guide decision-making.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships and build effective partnerships with teammates, vendors, donors, financial advisors, and attorneys.
- Demonstrated success in leading, coaching, mentoring, and building teams.
- Ability to communicate technical information and requirements clearly to teammates and leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate, monitor workloads, and analyze work processes and metrics.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with comfort presenting and communicating with teammates, leadership, donors, and external stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to remain flexible, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines. High attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and ensure deadlines are met.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Demonstrated understanding of Wounded Warrior Project, including its mission, values, programs, and services, and the impact on wounded warriors and their families.
- Demonstrated understanding of military service organizations (MSOs) and veteran service organizations (VSOs).
- High energy level. Self-starter; willing to take initiative.
- Ability to travel and represent the organization.
- Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
- Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.
EXPERIENCERequirements- Ten years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or sales associated with nonprofits.
- Ten years of experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporate partners, foundations, sponsors, and other institutional funding relationships.
- Eight years of staff management experience.
- Experience managing significant fundraising budgets, revenue forecasts, performance metrics, and return-on-investment analysis.
Preferences- Executive-level fundraising leadership experience within a national nonprofit.
- Experience with military service organizations, veteran service organizations, or other organizations serving military-connected communities.
EDUCATIONRequirementsPreferences- Advanced degree in business administration, nonprofit management, philanthropy, law, or a related field.
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURERequirements- Valid state-issued driver's license.
PreferencesWORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS- General office environment; temperature controlled.
- Up to 30% travel.
We recognize the success of our mission depends on the efforts of our passionate, hard-working teammates. To help teammates remain focused on the warriors and families we serve, WWP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes; Medical/Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program. WWP also offers a 401(k)-retirement plan, a competitive PTO package, Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, Teammate Wellness Program and Bereavement Leave.
For Chicago, IL Applicants: The estimated hiring range for this position is between $180,000 - $215,000 annual base salary, subject to a candidate's combination of experience, qualifications, and credentials. This position may also be eligible for an annual performance incentive.
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