Vice President of Advancement & External Relations

POSITION PROFILE - VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS

kpCompanies is partnering with the Black Collective Foundation MN (The Collective) to recruit a passionate, strategic, and experienced Vice President of Advancement & External Relations. This is a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission through effective fundraising and external engagement efforts, ensuring the organization’s growth and sustainability.

THE ORGANIZATION - BLACK COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION MN

The Black Collective Foundation MN believes Black-led change is genius. As the state’s first Black community foundation and a pioneer of culturally specific philanthropy nationwide, The Collective partners with individuals and institutions to boldly invest in organizations, leaders, systems, and ideas. Together, we are realizing a more just Minnesota where all Black people are holistically well, living in dignity and prosperity.

Mission 

Build Black philanthropic power to strengthen the ecosystem of Black-led social, political, and economic change in Minnesota and beyond.

Vision 

A community foundation that creates the conditions for a thriving ecosystem of Black-led change. Together, we can realize a Minnesota where Black people are holistically well, living in dignity and prosperity.

Values

Culture, Community Power, Collaboration, Practice, Celebration, Creativity, and Excellence

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Advancement & External Relations will lead all aspects of the Collective’s fundraising strategy, including major gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, and special events, while also driving the organization’s external relations efforts. Reporting directly to the Co-Founder & President, the VP will be integral to the organization’s leadership team, building systems and maintaining relationships that align with the Collective’s mission and vision.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can also execute initiatives, from designing and implementing fundraising systems to sharpening fundraising approaches and positioning the organization on local and national platforms for greater visibility.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Development

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies, including campaigns, major gifts, institutional giving, sponsorships, donor-advised funds, and special events.
• Set quarterly and annual fundraising targets for Development and External Relations, and report progress toward achievement of contributed revenue goals.
• Secures a targeted number of major gifts annually by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a pipeline of prospective donors, while building on existing relationships and expanding new partnerships. Ensures all donor interactions and activities are accurately documented and maintained in the donor CRM.
• Oversee donor management systems, ensuring accurate gift processing, acknowledgment, and financial reporting.

Donor-Advised Fund Program

• Work with leadership to build and launch the organization’s donor-advised fund program, engaging consultants, professional advisors, and board members.
• Establish a long-term vision for the donor-advised fund program and planned giving.

External Relations 

• Drive the Collective’s external visibility by building transformational relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• Identify strategic opportunities for public engagement, positioning the organization for greater visibility in Minnesota and beyond.
• Collaborate with the communications team, including consultants and staff responsible for marketing, sales, and events, to align messaging with fundraising efforts.

Leadership & Team Management

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, collaborating with senior leaders and the Board of Directors to advance organizational objectives.
• Build and lead a high-performing fundraising team, overseeing fundraising consultants and managing the hiring and supervision of a Development Associate.

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead efforts to develop individual giving systems to diversify the organization's revenue streams.
• Collaborate with the President & Co-Founder to position the organization for future growth by leveraging national and local opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Demonstrated track record in key areas: raising funds, cultivating relationships, and ensuring organizational sustainability—both social and financial.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing donor relationships, particularly with institutional partners and major individual donors.
• Strong leadership experience, including hiring, coaching, and leading teams in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Personal Characteristics

• Commitment to racial equity and the mission of supporting Black-led change.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to think creatively and take initiative in growing the organization’s fundraising capacity.

EQUITY AND SALARY DISCLOSURE

We believe in practices that create real equity and pay parity regardless of background or identity. We freely discuss compensation with all qualified candidates the first time we interview them. Saving the salary discussion for the first conversation allows us to understand the needs of each candidate fully and to ensure that qualified candidates, even those who’ve historically been overlooked and/or underpaid, don’t self-select out of the processes based on salary alone, as our experience and research suggest. In addition to those who opt out because they fear the salary may be out of reach for them, we equally don’t want to miss out on conversations with candidates who are slightly over the range when, in some cases, the total compensation, including factors such as bonuses, flexibility, and better health benefits, etc. may exceed expectations. Finally, as a search firm, we always look for top-notch talent to introduce to our clients. Should the salary or any other requirement not be fit, there is often a chance that someone on our team is working on another position you may be a better fit for. If you would like to discuss your qualifications for this role and salary and compensation, just call us, and we’d be happy to discuss!

EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

The Black Collective Foundation and kpCompanies are equal opportunity employers and all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity in every area of hiring and employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, mental illness, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, military/veteran status, citizenship, arrest record, and any other legally protected characteristic.

All submissions are received in the strictest confidence.