VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT

ABOUT FOUNDATION FOR LOUISIANA

Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) is a social justice philanthropic intermediary founded in 2005 as the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation to invest in the immediate recovery of Louisiana’s communities after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While FFL was established in the wake of these disasters, our founders recognized the need to address the longstanding inequities that have shaped the life outcomes of the most marginalized Louisianans for centuries. Our programs grew in response to these needs, and today FFL focuses on philanthropic leadership, racial justice, climate justice, criminal legal reform, economic opportunity, LGBTQ justice, and support for Louisiana's vibrant arts and culture via a three-pronged strategy:

• Invest: FFL makes grants and loans to support organizations and movements throughout Louisiana in our key program areas. We attract and invest resources to support on-the-ground projects, many of which can’t access traditional philanthropy. Through fiscal sponsorship, we support innovative ideas responding to unmet needs throughout Louisiana.
• Build: We build power to effect change in Louisiana communities. We convene community leaders and provide training in organizing, policy change, leadership, public speaking, and facilitation to address climate change, police accountability, health disparities, housing access, and more.
• Transform: By fortifying movements, we shift systems and shape regional and national narratives. We reimagine how our communities are governed and funded to redefine how residents can thrive in them.

Since inception, FFL has invested $60 million in more than 260 mission-critical nonprofit organizations working across the state towards building a more just Louisiana. As a social justice philanthropic intermediary, FFL’s work unapologetically advances racial justice while moving Louisiana forward. The foundation engages communities in both program co-design as well as its grant-making process to expand opportunities and move communities towards a more just future.

Position Overview

Foundation for Louisiana is seeking a strategic and equity-driven Vice President of Advancement to lead an integrated approach to fundraising, communications, and external engagement. Reporting to the President and CEO, this role will drive resource mobilization across institutional, individual, and philanthropic giving strategies while aligning messaging and storytelling to strengthen donor relationships and organizational visibility.

The Vice President of Advancement will serve as a key ambassador, building partnerships with major donors, foundations, and community stakeholders, and ensuring that revenue, narrative, and influence work together to advance FFL’s mission.

The VP of Advancement can be based anywhere in the state of Louisiana; however, the position will require periodic travel to New Orleans and Baton Rouge. All Foundation for Louisiana employees are currently working remotely. Office space is available in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following list of duties and responsibilities is representative and may evolve over time. FFL is committed to an inclusive workplace for all staff, including those with a disability, and is open to discussing disability-related accommodations to essential job functions for qualified applicants.

Leadership and Strategy (30%)

• Partner with the President and CEO to strengthen FFL’s philanthropic visibility and positioning locally and nationally.
• Lead the design and implementation of multi-year fundraising and communications strategies that align with FFL’s mission and growth goals.
• Provide leadership and oversight of both Development and Communications functions, ensuring alignment between revenue goals and external messaging.
• Participate in executive leadership team meetings; provide input on strategic planning, financial forecasting, and organizational policy.
• Engage the Board of Directors and support their involvement in fundraising and external engagement.

Major Donor and Funder Relations (30%)

• Build and manage a personal portfolio of major individual donors, institutional funders, donor-advised fund holders, and philanthropic partners.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, including making direct funding requests and closing major gifts.
• Represent FFL at high-level meetings, funder briefings, conferences, and public events.
• Develop strategies to cultivate and steward donor-advised fund holders, giving circles, and other philanthropic partners aligned with FFL’s mission and priorities.

Communications and External Engagement (20%)

• Oversee Communications strategy, ensuring alignment with fundraising priorities and organizational positioning.
• Guide the development of donor-facing content, reports, campaigns, and storytelling that support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Ensure consistency in how FFL’s work, impact, and intermediary role are communicated across audiences.

Cross-Team Integration (10%)

• Collaborate with Program, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure effective proposal development, reporting, and donor stewardship.
• Champion systems and practices that strengthen coordination and information-sharing across departments.

Fundraising Systems and Infrastructure (10%)

• Oversee CRM systems, reporting tools, and campaign metrics.
• Develop processes that support prospect research, donor tracking, and revenue forecasting.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

The Vice President of Advancement should possess the following qualifications, skills, and personal attributes:

• Fundraising Leadership: Proven success in securing major gifts and institutional funding and leading high-performing teams.
• Integrated Strategy: Ability to align fundraising and communications to drive revenue and strengthen organizational positioning.
• Relationship Management: Exceptional ability to cultivate and steward high-level donors and funders.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to design and execute long-range plans with measurable impact.
• Equity and Inclusion: Deep commitment to justice-centered work and leading with an anti-oppression lens.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Experience managing teams and collaborating across departments.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex work for diverse audiences.

WHO YOU ARE

You are an experienced fundraising executive who brings humility, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in community leadership. You are energized by growing philanthropic partnerships and closing transformational gifts. You see fundraising as a tool for justice and storytelling as a way to build power. You love Louisiana, and you believe in the brilliance of its people. You’re excited by both strategy and hands-on collaboration, and you want to help build a more just and joyful future alongside a bold, values-driven team.

This is a full-time, exempt position. Candidates must be based in Louisiana or willing to relocate. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Foundation for Louisiana aspires towards freedom for all Louisianans and aims to create a fully inclusive and affirming workplace for all people. We welcome and encourage applications from people who have been involved with the criminal legal system. FFL is committed to providing staff with the resources they need to work from home effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the position.

Foundation for Louisiana follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, criminal legal background, or marital status.

This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, grant partners, board members, and dealings with the general public.

For more information about Foundation for Louisiana, visit our website at www.foundationforlouisiana.org

Foundation for Louisiana offers a generous benefits and PTO package, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums
• Up to $50,000 employer-paid life insurance
• 401(k) retirement employer match
• 17 holidays and an extended end-of-year break
• Home office stipend