About Korean American Community Foundation
Founded in 2002 by visionary Korean American leaders in New York, the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) is a movement of philanthropy by and for the community. KACF addresses the chronic underinvestment in the Korean immigrant population by raising funds to empower under-resourced individuals and families, while fostering a strong culture of giving within the community.
Since awarding $60,000 in grants in 2003, KACF has grown significantly, now having distributed over $14 million in grants and capacity-building support. The foundation is a trusted partner in advancing economic security for Korean and Asian American communities, helping to empower individuals, strengthen families, and transform communities impacted by poverty.
KACF has recently broadened its grantmaking and donor education efforts to achieve a truly national reach and impact. Moving forward, the foundation is committed to enhancing its visibility across the U.S., reaching potential donors and funders nationwide while expanding beyond its traditional support base in New York City.
Learn more about KACF at www.kacfny.org.
The Opportunity
At this exciting time in its history, KACF is seeking a mission-driven leader who believes in the power of collective giving for the critical role of Vice President of Development.
This role offers a unique opportunity to join the foundation at a transformative moment as it expands its work on a national scale. The individual in this position will play a key role in shaping and executing innovative fundraising strategies to drive the organization’s growth to the next level. This pivotal hire offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the foundation’s future and its mission.
The VP of Development directs and leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance fundraising and donor engagement with the programs and priorities of the organization, working closely with the President & CEO, Vice President of Programs & Operations, Director of Development, leadership team and staff, and the Board of Directors.
The VP of Development is responsible for conceptualizing, organizing, and implementing a comprehensive and strategic development program that includes institutional and individual giving, including major and principal gifts. Reporting to the President & CEO, the VP of Development will serve as a key member of the leadership team.
The ideal candidate will bring experience with the AAPI community, and a commitment to ensuring that the Korean American community thrives through the power of collective giving.
Opportunities and Challenges:
Evolution of fundraising infrastructure: The VP of Development will build the strategy and operational plan for the Foundation’s fundraising activities. Critical to this will be the creation and implementation of processes, reporting, and analytics to enable effective execution and stewardship.
Communication and reach: The VP of Development will span grassroots to global sophistication in developing and implementing short and long-term plans for fundraising and increasing and diversifying income sources. Internal collaboration will include the President & CEO, Director of Development, development staff, and Board of Directors. External collaboration will include a broad range of constituents and partners across the nation.
Leadership, talent, and development: The VP of Development will structure and develop the team to execute the fundraising needs and opportunities for the Foundation today and for the future. In addition, the VP will cultivate individual and team growth, and build succession planning.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
- Develop a sophisticated understanding of the Korean American Community Foundation: its mission, culture, policies, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, and finances.
- In partnership with the CEO, Director of Development, development staff, & Board, establish a strategic vision and operational plan for the Foundation’s fundraising activities. Develop and implement short and long-term plans for fundraising in alignment with organizational priorities, setting measurable goals and objectives for increasing and diversifying income sources. Collaborate with others to identify and refine fundraising priorities.
- In partnership with CEO & Board, identify and recruit new members, educate members about their role in advancing a culture of philanthropy, cultivate and solicit of financial support, and leverage networks to expand the donor and audience base.
- Develop a plan to build the skills and vision of the existing Development team and engage and integrate new team members.
Fundraising and External Relations
- Increase and diversify the organization’s support from individuals, foundations, and as appropriate, corporations.
- Manage a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including individual and institutional sources, moving them through the stages of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Lead the development team in identifying and cultivating new major and principal gift prospects.
- Ensure strategic management of activities for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Model effective prospect strategy, approaches, and techniques, as well as transparency and collaboration, serving as a resource to colleagues on related matters.
- Contribute to and drive an organization-wide culture of philanthropy.
- Lead and oversee donor cultivation and solicitation opportunities that involve the President & CEO, senior management team, the Board of Directors or other high-level volunteer leaders. Manage connections between these leaders and prospective or current donors, ensuring the preparation of strategic communications, reports, briefings, and other materials, as necessary.
- Exercise sound judgment and efficiently communicate prospect strategies when involving executive or volunteer leaders.
- Ensure ongoing prospect discovery and engagement at all levels of giving, including both traditional and non-traditional sources of potential support, as well as examination of existing donors that may have greater capacity.
- Maintain current knowledge of important developments across regional and national funding environments.
- Promote donor stewardship as an organization-wide priority, coordinating with colleagues throughout the organization as needed, and/or personally stewarding donors.
- Develop a comprehensive events strategy that aligns with the foundation’s overall fundraising goals. Determine the optimal number and types of fundraising events, assess their impact, and ensure they effectively contribute to revenue generation and donor engagement. Leverage data and trends to maximize each event's potential within the broader fundraising framework, including engagement, stewardship, and/or major and principal gift strategies.
- Ensure effective, ongoing, and productive communication with current and prospective donors. Collaborate with Communications Officer to ensure integrated, consistent, and effective marketing and communications in support of fundraising or stewardship initiatives. Strategically leverage a variety of communication channels and platforms to support fundraising goals, including digital platforms and social media.
- Understand, assess, and oversee the work of local fundraising committees; provide direction and support for their activities.
- Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the Foundation’s mission and programs in the funding community.
- Conduct travel to support organizational priorities, including donor cultivation and solicitation, and strategic communications.
Management
- Evaluate staffing needs within the development and oversee retention, training, management, mentoring, professional development, recruitment, and evaluation of an efficient and highly professional team, complementing staff with external partners, as necessary.
- Support the development team with ongoing training, team-building and other professional support to ensure collegiality and common vision. Utilize appropriate metrics on a team and individual basis to ensure accountability and results. Foster a supportive environment that promotes open communication and collaboration, encourages taking calculated risks, and rewards innovation and entrepreneurial activity.
- Ensure that efficient processes and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the development team. Oversee preparation and administration of all departmental budgets, management controls, policies, and procedures, ensuring sound fiscal management and efficient allocation of resources. Benchmark with peer institutions to ensure the Foundation is on track and employing best practices.
- Oversee growth, maintenance, and enhancement of staff members’ technological proficiency and tools, including fundraising information systems and software. Spearhead technology initiatives that streamline operational processes or touch new audiences and potential donors.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations on fundraising activities for the CEO, senior management team, and the Board of Directors.
- Provide ongoing fundraising training, education, and support to senior management, staff, and Board members.
Candidate Profile
While no candidate is expected to possess every quality outlined, a successful candidate for the role will demonstrate many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:
Mission-Driven Leadership
A deep passion for the mission of the Korean American Community Foundation, with the ability to authentically engage and inspire others as a senior representative of the organization.
Unquestionable Integrity
Embodies the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Demonstrates mature judgment in handling sensitive information, values-driven behavior, and a commitment to both personal and professional development. Leads by example with humility, prioritizing institutional goals over personal gain to ensure mission-focused and quality-driven efforts.
Interpersonal and Emotional Intelligence
Possesses the interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence needed to build impactful relationships with diverse stakeholders, including potential donors, staff, board members, and community leaders. Brings humor, perspective, transparency, and a collaborative approach to communications.
Effective Communication Skills
Exhibits strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft proposals and donor correspondence, while serving as a confident, public-facing ambassador. Capable of articulating organizational goals, progress, and the impact of funding strategies clearly and persuasively.
Proactive and Detail-Oriented
An energetic, highly organized self-starter with a professional demeanor. Demonstrates agility and creativity in adapting to dynamic environments, maintaining attention to detail in all aspects of the role.
QUALIFICATIONS
Extensive Leadership in Nonprofit Fundraising
Over ten years of proven leadership experience in designing and executing comprehensive fundraising operations for nonprofit organizations. Expertise includes major gifts, annual funds, planned giving, corporate and foundation support, e-philanthropy, direct mail, and leading successful major fundraising campaigns from planning to conclusion. Established record of increasing philanthropic revenue, especially in major giving.
Commitment to Ethical Fundraising
Deep knowledge and commitment to the principles, ethics, and best practices of modern fundraising. Skilled in integrating various giving programs to diversify funding sources and strengthen donor commitments.
Experience Leading and Developing Diverse Teams
Demonstrated ability to lead, recruit, evaluate, and develop diverse development teams, contributing to a high-functioning, results-driven, and multi-generational workforce. Track record of maintaining best practices, setting clear goals, fostering shared accountability, and strategizing for development office growth.
Strategic Fundraising and Collaboration Skills
Proven success in creating compelling cases for support and developing innovative fundraising strategies to exceed financial goals. Skilled in cultivating relationships and collaborating effectively with executives, senior staff, and volunteer leaders, providing them with the tools and support to enhance their fundraising impact.
Major Gift Acquisition and Stewardship
Successful history of personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from both individual and institutional donors, achieving six- to seven-figure contributions or greater.
Innovation in Donor Engagement
A forward-thinking approach to constituent engagement, driven by innovation and adaptability. Proactively embraces new methods for connecting with donors and implementing advancement best practices in a rapidly evolving post-COVID-19 landscape.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Ability to analyze and leverage data to drive donor strategies and improve processes. Familiar with modern data management practices and innovations that streamline advancement activities and facilitate the integration of related functions.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this role is $160,000 - $180,000, with a generous benefits package. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
This is a full-time position offering a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(K) with matching, an FSA for medical and transit, professional development opportunities, and more. KACF operates on a hybrid work model with in-office days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and remote work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This position is based in New York City.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Chartise Clark. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
KACF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.