Vice President of Business Development

Silicon Valley Community Foundation occupies a singular position in American philanthropy. Headquartered in Mountain View and founded in 2007, SVCF has grown into the largest community foundation in the world — managing over $18 billion in assets and distributing nearly $2.1 billion in grants in 2025.

The Foundation operates at the intersection of institutional scale and genuine community proximity. Its work is rooted in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, where persistent gaps in housing, economic mobility, and educational access exist in stark contrast to the region's extraordinary wealth concentration. SVCF's response to these disparities is not passive grantmaking — it is active coordination across donors, corporations, government, and community organizations, deploying the full range of philanthropic tools to drive systemic change.

For donors, SVCF functions as a trusted institutional partner with the technical sophistication to match. The Foundation accepts complex assets, structures multi‑generational giving strategies, and deploys capital across donor‑advised funds, supporting organizations, and impact investments. Its CEO, Nicole Taylor, was named to TIME's inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list — a recognition that reflects SVCF's influence well beyond the Bay Area.

Learn more at svcf.org

In this role, you will serve as SVCF’s lead strategist for new business generation, overseeing the development and execution of a comprehensive growth strategy focused on acquiring new donors, opening new funds, securing institutional partnerships and increasing charitable assets under management. The role combines sophisticated business development, fundraising leadership, relationship management and team leadership to position SVCF as the best‑in‑class philanthropic partner for individuals, families, corporations, foundations and professional advisors.

The Vice President will work in close partnership with the Vice President, Donor Engagement and other organizational leaders to deliver an integrated donor experience and ensure alignment across donor acquisition, onboarding, philanthropic advising, stewardship, retention and long‑term relationship management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development and Growth Strategy

Develop and execute a comprehensive business development and growth strategy aligned with SVCF’s mission, strategic priorities and long‑term philanthropic goals designed to expand philanthropic partnerships, charitable assets and SVCF’s market presence.

Identify, cultivate, and secure new relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and institutional partners building new donor and business pipelines to meet/exceed annual revenue goals.

Spearhead SVCF’s new‑business pipeline and establish business development standards, growth metrics and operational processes that ensure consistency, quality and accountability.

Expand and strengthen relationships with professional advisors, including wealth managers, attorneys, CPAs, family offices, and financial institutions.

Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective donors, funds, and partnerships, ensuring disciplined prospect qualification, cultivation, and conversion. Develop innovative approaches to engaging prospective donors and professional advisors.

Monitor philanthropic, economic, wealth‑management, and philanthropic‑sector trends to identify opportunities for innovation, growth and market differentiation.

Collaborate with executive leadership and the Vice President, Complex Philanthropic Advising and others to develop strategies for transformational gifts, complex philanthropic transactions, and major partnership opportunities.

Donor Acquisition and Revenue Growth

Lead efforts to increase charitable assets under management – particularly those focused on our local communities, open new donor‑advised and philanthropic funds and expand institutional partnerships.

Maintain a personal portfolio of high‑priority prospects and lead cultivation and solicitation efforts for significant philanthropic commitments.

Develop tailored and innovative engagement strategies that move prospects from initial introduction through commitment and onboarding.

Establish measurable fundraising and business development goals, key performance indicators (KPIs) and forecasting processes.

Partner closely with Donor Engagement, Complex Gifts, Corporate Responsibility and Investments teams to develop strategies for transformational gifts and complex charitable transactions, as well as ensure seamless transitions from acquisition to stewardship.

Partner with Marketing and Communications to strengthen SVCF’s brand, visibility and value proposition in the marketplace.

Team and Organizational Management

Build, lead, supervise and develop a high‑performing team of development professionals.

Foster a culture of collaboration, efficiency, innovation, accountability and exceptional service.

Build organizational capabilities that support scalable donor acquisition strategies.

Establish clear goals, performance expectations and professional development opportunities for team members.

Partner cross‑functionally with donor engagement, grantmaking programs, marketing, finance, grants management, legal and operations teams to ensure a coordinated business development strategy.

Participate actively as a member of SVCF’s leadership team and contribute to organizational strategy and planning.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Presence

Serve as a senior external representative and ambassador for SVCF within philanthropic, nonprofit, corporate and financial‑services communities.

Partner with the Vice President, Donor Engagement and others to build and strengthen relationships with professional advisors, wealth managers, family offices, nonprofit leaders and philanthropic networks.

Collaborate/partner with Corporate Responsibility to cultivate new business strategies and relationships with corporations, corporate foundations, ESG leaders and corporate social responsibility executives.

Participate in donor events, speaking engagements, conferences and community forums.

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to elevate SVCF’s visibility, thought leadership and philanthropic impact.

Operations and Compliance

Develop and monitor KPIs and growth metrics related to donor acquisition, business development performance, professional advisor engagement and philanthropic partnerships.

Oversee systems, workflows and operational processes that support effective business development and relationship management.

Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and policy requirements related to charitable giving, donor‑advised funds and philanthropic partnerships.

Remain informed on philanthropic trends, charitable vehicles, tax considerations and evolving donor expectations.

Maintain strong knowledge of relevant IRS tax code, charitable giving regulations and compliance requirements associated with donor‑advised funds, private foundations, supporting organizations and other philanthropic structures.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

15 or more years of progressive leadership experience in business development, philanthropy, fundraising, wealth advisory, financial services or philanthropic services.

Demonstrated success cultivating and securing significant philanthropic relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, families, corporations, foundations and professional advisors.

Strong expertise in business development, donor acquisition, charitable planning, relationship management and philanthropic growth strategies.

Deep understanding of charitable vehicles, donor‑advised funds, complex asset philanthropy and philanthropic trends.

Strong knowledge of charitable giving regulations, tax considerations and compliance requirements associated with donor‑advised funds and related philanthropic structures.

Proven ability to build, lead, supervise and develop high‑performing teams and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and excellence.

Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences.

Strategic thinker with strong operational, project management and organizational leadership capabilities.

Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, collaborative and relationship‑driven environment.

Commitment to philanthropy and an awareness of issues affecting donors, communities and the nonprofit sector.

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or professional credential (e.g., J.D., CFP®, CAP®, MBA) preferred.

Qualified candidates please submit your resume to Chessa Eskandanian‑Yee: chessa@advisorey.com

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