Vice President, Philanthropy

Overview of Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based providers across the country dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. Through public awareness, funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers local providers to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. At a time when demand for Meals on Wheels services is growing, and many seniors are left waiting, Meals on Wheels America is dedicated to helping End the Wait® and ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it. For more information, or to locate a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Position Summary

The Vice President reports to the Chief Development & Marketing Officer (CDMO) and is an Arlington, VA- based, hybrid working role.

This leader will play a critical role in advancing the organization’s bold goal to End the Wait™ by building and sustaining a high-performing philanthropy program focused on transformational revenue growth, long-term donor engagement and strategic stewardship.

The Vice President will oversee a growing portfolio of philanthropic initiatives and lead a team responsible for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual, foundation and institutional donors. This role will also help strengthen fundraising operations, cross-functional collaboration and donor strategy across the organization during a period of significant organizational growth and investment.

The ideal candidate is an experienced relationship-builder and strategic fundraising leader with a proven ability to secure and steward seven- and eight-figure gifts, develop high-performing teams and translate organizational vision into compelling philanthropic opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive philanthropy strategy focused on major gifts, planned giving and foundation/institutional giving.
• Partner closely with the CDMO and senior leadership team to advance organizational fundraising priorities and long-term growth strategies.
• Help position Meals on Wheels America as a destination for transformational philanthropy and strategic investment.
• Contribute to campaign planning and execution, including principal and transformational gift strategies.
• Develop clear fundraising goals, performance metrics and portfolio management strategies to drive sustainable revenue growth.

Major & Transformational Giving

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for major and transformational gifts.
• Partner with executive leadership and Board members on donor engagement and relationship management.
• Build strategies to expand donor pipeline development and increase multi-year philanthropic investment.

Planned Giving

• Oversee the continued growth and evolution of the planned giving program including managing vendor/consultant relationships.
• Develop strategies to deepen legacy donor engagement and increase deferred giving commitments.
• Ensure planned giving communications and stewardship align with broader organizational fundraising priorities.

Foundation & Institutional Giving

• Oversee foundation and institutional fundraising strategy, including identification, cultivation, proposal development and stewardship.
• Partner with programmatic and finance teams to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and impact reporting.
• Strengthen systems and processes supporting grant management, reporting and institutional relationships.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing philanthropy team grounded in collaboration, accountability and results.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships across development, marketing, programs, finance and executive leadership.
• Help strengthen fundraising operations, donor strategy and moves management processes.
• Support the continued evolution of systems, analytics and reporting to improve fundraising effectiveness and decision-making.

Qualifications or Skills Required

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising leadership experience, including major gifts and institutional fundraising.
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding six, seven and/or eight-figure philanthropic investments.
• Experience leading high-performing fundraising teams through growth and organizational evolution.
• Strong strategic thinking and relationship management skills with the ability to engage donors, board members and senior leaders effectively.
• Experience developing and executing fundraising strategies in complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience with fundraising databases (Every Action), donor strategy and performance reporting tools.
• Passion for the mission of Meals on Wheels America and the Meals on Wheels network.
• Models the Association’s cultural attributes of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment and Service (C.A.R.E.S.)

Candidates meeting 75% or more of the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Medical, dental, vision

403b

PTO, paid holidays, other paid leave

STD, LTD, identity protection, pet insurance, and more