Director of Philanthropy

About the Organization

The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization working to ensure a fair, inclusive financial marketplace that creates opportunities for all. Through research, legal analysis, policy development, and state and national advocacy engagement, CRL fights for economic equity for underserved communities—including Black and brown communities, low-to-middle-income families, and rural families. CRL’s staff, allies, and funders reflect a collective commitment to eliminating systemic injustice in America’s financial services. CRL provides a strong voice on both the state and national levels for these families to expand family wealth and financial stability through sustainable homeownership, affordable higher education, and support for small businesses. We also protect their financial stability by preventing harmful products that trap families in debt and strip away their income, including predatory high-cost lending and other unfair financial practices. CRL is an affiliate of Self-Help, a community development lender founded in 1980. The Julian Bond Institute (JBI) produces research that illuminates the financial barriers families face, builds the evidence base for policy change, and holds the financial system accountable to the communities it must serve — with the rigor of academic research and the urgency of a civil rights mandate. JBI was launched in early 2025 as part of CRL.

Responsibilities

• Own CRL’s annual and multi-year revenue goals across grants and individual giving, and build and carry out the plan to reach them through foundation, major individual, and corporate giving and endowment growth.
• Position the philanthropy program to advance CRL’s broader goals, ensuring funds raised align with research, policy, and advocacy priorities.
• Manage the fundraising calendar and staff roles, working closely with colleagues across CRL to meet goals and deadlines.
• Identify new funders and grow the number of foundations and individual donors who support CRL’s work.
• Lead meetings with current and prospective funders and represent CRL at conferences and other events.
• Engage CRL Board and Advisory Board members in building support when appropriate.
• Write, or guide the writing of, proposals, reports, and stewardship communications that demonstrate the impact of funder support.
• Track solicitations, expected gifts, pledges, and income; provide executive leadership and the Board with monthly fundraising updates on progress toward goals, including projected versus actual revenue and expenses.
• Coordinate grant tracking and reporting with CRL staff, Self-Help’s resource development team, and accounting staff.
• Lead and coach the Philanthropy Manager, helping them grow their skills and do their best work.
• Serve as the go-to advisor and coach for CRL leaders, Board members, and staff on fundraising, helping everyone play a part in building support.
• Take on other duties as needed to help CRL meet its goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 to 7 years of fundraising experience with foundations, corporations, and/or major individual donors. A graduate degree is preferred.
• Proven record of meeting or exceeding annual and multi-year revenue goals, including grants and individual giving.
• Demonstrated experience strategically positioning philanthropic programs to achieve broader organizational goals.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to lead, develop, and motivate staff and to work well both as a leader and as part of a team.
• Ability to start and build strong relationships with potential funders and key stakeholders.
• Confidence reporting to executive leadership and a Board.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with fundraising databases and systems.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and explain program and organizational budgets and financial statements.
• Familiarity with lending and financial services terms and legal language, or the ability to learn them quickly.
• Ability to start and juggle multiple projects and work independently.
• Ability to act quickly on urgent, unplanned opportunities or needs.
• Strong commitment to CRL’s mission of creating economic opportunity for traditionally underserved communities, and to working as part of a diverse organization.
• Preference for working in organizations that make teamwork and collaboration a priority.
• Experience in marketing, investor relations, community economic development, or financial services is a plus.
• Ability to demonstrate Self-Help’s Core Values: Mission Before Self, Service With Excellence, Embracing & Promoting Change, Results Not Credit, Diversity as a Strength, Financial Sustainability for Mission Impact.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role based in the Durham, NC or Washington, DC office. Staff are expected to be in the office three days per week, with Monday and Wednesday as communal days and the third day determined by each individual. The role includes regular travel, including some overnight trips, to meet with funders and attend events.

Pay

Compensation ranges are based on local market rates and are determined by geography, role, and experience. The higher end of each range represents the current organizational salary cap for each location, which increases annually based on cost of living and organizational performance.

• Durham, NC: $94,800 – $126,610 (NC Cap)
• Washington, DC: $109,400 – $153,738 (DC Cap)

Benefits

• Health: Medical, dental & vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, with 80% to 100% of premiums paid by Self-Help depending on coverage levels selected. Employee Assistance Program access.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation accrued at 15 days/year; sick time accrued at 12 days/year. 11 paid holidays. Paid parental leave of 12–16 weeks, prorated for staff with less than 1 year of service.
• Financial Wellbeing: 401k match — 3% company contribution, plus an additional $1 for $1 on first 6% that the employee contributes. CRL-paid life insurance of $50,000, plus long-term disability and accidental death & dismemberment coverage. Tuition reimbursement. As a 501(c)(3) organization, employment with CRL may provide an opportunity for student loan forgiveness (candidates should review the provisions of their student loans to determine applicability).