Leadership role

VP of Philanthropy

Leads fundraising for a nonprofit or its affiliated foundation, a title most often used in health care.

Reporting and scope

Reports to the Executive Director / CEO or the president of an affiliated foundation, most often in health care. Authority covers fundraising for the organization or its foundation.

Core responsibilities

  • Leads major and planned gifts and grateful patient programs
  • Runs capital and endowment campaigns
  • Works with the foundation board and development committee
  • Oversees gift acceptance and restricted gift documentation
  • Manages stewardship and donor reporting
  • Supervises gift officers and development employees

How it differs

Chief Philanthropy Officer is the C-level title for the same function; VP of Development / Advancement is the common title outside health care. Director of Philanthropy runs the work at a lower level.

By organization size

In a single hospital foundation the VP may be the top fundraiser. In a large health system several VPs may report to a system Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: VP of Philanthropy; VP Philanthropy; VP, Philanthropy; Vice President of Philanthropy; Vice President, Philanthropy; SVP of Philanthropy

Related roles

Roles this description compares with VP of Philanthropy, or that compare themselves with it.

Chief Philanthropy Officer
The senior fundraising executive, typically in a hospital or health system foundation, accountable for all charitable giving.
VP of Development / Advancement
Leads a nonprofit's fundraising from individuals, foundations and corporations, and in advancement models its alumni and constituent relations.
Director of Philanthropy
Directs an organization's fundraising, often with an emphasis on major and planned gifts and long-term donor relationships.
Director of Major Gifts
Directs an organization's major gift program, securing large individual gifts through personal relationships.

See what this role pays

Median reported total compensation, nationally: $190,000. Based on 906 IRS Form 990 filings, fiscal years 2021–2025.

This median spans organizations of every budget size and sector, so it will not match a benchmark for one organization.

Benchmark pay for this role

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