Vice President of Philanthropic Services

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Sheffield, MA (Hybrid position)

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) seeks a dynamic and strategic Vice President of Philanthropic Services to lead and grow its comprehensive philanthropy and donor engagement efforts. This senior leadership role is ideal for a seasoned development professional who brings vision, relationship-building excellence, and a deep commitment to community impact.

About BTCF

Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) has strengthened communities through philanthropy and leadership. We channel generosity where it is needed most, bringing together resources and passion to tackle our region’s most pressing issues and create lasting change. BTCF serves over 60 communities across Berkshire County (MA), northwest Litchfield County (CT), and Columbia and northeast Dutchess Counties (NY), awarding more than $15 million annually in grants and scholarships.

With a mission of building stronger, more equitable communities, BTCF seeks to center equity in our roles as grant maker, community partner, philanthropic advisor, and employer. We are committed to creating a best-in-class workplace that fosters employee satisfaction, support, and growth. Learn more about our work (www.berkshiretaconic.org)

Position Summary

The Vice President of Philanthropic Services is a senior leadership role responsible for designing, leading, and executing a comprehensive advancement and asset development strategy that drives significant growth in philanthropic assets, donor engagement, and community impact.

Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President of Philanthropic Services will translate BTCF’s Strategic Plan and multi-year Advancement Plan into measurable outcomes while building a high-performing, proactive, and relationship-driven culture of philanthropy across the organization.

The Vice President of Philanthropic Services is a key leader for fund development, donor engagement, and asset growth, including cultivating relationships with fundholders, donors, prospects, and professional advisors. This role is central to strengthening the Foundation’s position as the preferred philanthropic partner in the region and positioning BTCF for long-term growth and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Advancement Vision

• Implement BTCF’s comprehensive, multi-year advancement and asset development strategy, aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities and growth goals.
• Operationalize a relationship-driven engagement model that emphasizes proactive outreach, meaningful communication, and measurable results.
• Establish clear performance metrics, benchmarks, and activity-based targets (e.g., meaningful communications, donor engagement, new funds, asset growth, and pipeline development).
• Partner with the President, Board and senior leadership team to align advancement efforts with institutional priorities and opportunities for community leadership.
• Ensure advancement is fully integrated across teams, creating a coordinated, organization-wide approach to philanthropy.
• Maintain awareness of trends affecting philanthropy nationwide and across the Foundation’s service area.
• Build and lead a high-performing Philanthropic Services Team, including defining roles, hiring, and professional development.

Asset Development & Fund Growth

• Lead strategies to grow the Foundation’s philanthropic assets by increasing:
  • Donor-advised funds
  • Nonprofit agency funds
  • Endowed funds and gifts
  • Planned gifts and legacy commitments
  • Contributions to existing funds
• Meet annual fundraising goals to support BTCF’s strategic priorities, including revenue to support operations as needed.
• Develop and implement fundholder acquisition strategies that expand BTCF’s donor base.
• Strengthen relationships with current fundholders to increase engagement, retention, and overall giving.
• Build and execute targeted strategies to engage high-net-worth individuals, next-generation donors, and part-time residents.
• Strengthen systems to identify, qualify, and advance prospective donors through a robust pipeline.

Lead the Philanthropic Services Team

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team and a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Mentor and support team members, including Community Engagement Officers whose work spans both Programs and Philanthropic Services
• Develop annual work plans, department budgets, and annual performance reviews.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Lead a best-in-class donor engagement program focused on personalized service, strategic advising, and long-term relationship building.
• Increase fundholder engagement so that BTCF becomes the primary philanthropic partner for donors.
• Oversee development and delivery of tools and experiences that inspire deeper engagement, including donor impact reporting, issue-based donor convenings, stewardship events, and in-person engagement strategies.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality stewardship across all donor segments.
• Guide the evolution from transactional giving to more meaningful, impact-driven philanthropy aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

Donor Communications Partnership 

Partner closely with the Communications Team to:

• Deliver impactful donor communications, stewardship materials, and outreach in alignment with BTCF’s organization-wide communications strategy and standards.
• Develop effective content strategies for donor engagement, including events, impact storytelling, and campaigns.

Professional Advisor Engagement

• Lead the Foundation’s professional advisor engagement strategy to increase referrals and expand the Foundation’s reach.
• Build and steward strong relationships with attorneys, financial advisors, accountants, and other intermediaries.
• Partner with the Communications Team to design and implement outreach, education, and communications strategies tailored to professional advisors.

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen their role in fundraising, donor engagement, and asset development.
• Engage board members in identifying prospects, making introductions, and supporting cultivation efforts.
• Staff and support Stewardship Committee of the Board of Directors
• Develop and deliver training and tools to enhance board effectiveness as ambassadors.

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Foundation, building relationships across the region to expand awareness and engagement.
• Represent BTCF within the philanthropic, nonprofit, and civic communities.
• Establish and maintain strong community networks that support donor development and philanthropic partnerships.

• Increases in total philanthropic assets and number of new funds
• Growth of fundholder engagement and overall share of donor giving
• Expanded and strengthened donor pipeline
• Professional advisor network expands regionally and generates more referrals
• Stronger alignment between donor activity and the Foundation’s strategic priorities

• Strategic Vision: Translates ambitious goals into clear, actionable strategies that drive growth.
• Team Building: Mentor and coach a high-performing Philanthropic Services Team
• Relationship Building: Excels at cultivating trust and long-term partnerships with donors, advisors, and stakeholders.
• Results-Oriented Leadership: Demonstrates accountability for achieving measurable fundraising and asset growth outcomes.
• Strategic Growth: Leads organizational transformation and builds systems that support scalability and impact.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Works effectively across teams to align advancement with mission and strategy.

• Minimum of 8–10 years of senior-level nonprofit fundraising or philanthropic leadership experience
• Demonstrated success in major gifts, donor relations, and relationship-based fundraising
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaborative practices that amplify historically marginalized voices
• Commitment to community-based philanthropy, and place-based impact
• Strategic thinker with strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with boards, volunteers, and high-net-worth donors

• Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods
• Proficient use of a computer monitors and keyboard
• Hybrid workplace, with regular in-office presence and daily availability for meetings throughout the region required
• Reasonable accommodations available for qualified individuals

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution  
• Generous paid vacation and sick time  
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance 
• Professional development opportunities

1. A resume highlighting relevant skills, education, and professional experience
2. A cover letter, and
3. A response to the following two questions:
   1. What does equity mean to you, and how have you demonstrated equity-centered leadership in your work?
   2. Please describe a fundraising campaign or accomplishment you are proud of, including the amount raised, your role, and the key factors that contributed to its success.