Spark Microgrants

Philanthropy Director

Spark Microgrants

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: Rwanda

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Job Level

Lead

Tech Stack

Spark

About the role

  • Own and Drive the Fundraising Pipeline
  • Build and actively manage a robust, high-quality donor pipeline that delivers significant, multi-year philanthropic commitments aligned with Spark’s growth priorities.
  • Build, manage, and advance a portfolio of major donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners, including prospects capable of 6–7 figure gifts.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through long-term, relationship-driven engagement.
  • Develop clear pipeline strategies with defined milestones, targets, and timelines, and maintain momentum from initial interest through commitment.
  • Make direct, confident, and timely asks, converting opportunities into secured funding.
  • Develop compelling donor proposals and pitch materials
  • Track pipeline progress and proactively surface risks, gaps, and opportunities.
  • Lead Spark’s Philanthropy Strategy
  • Establish a clear, focused philanthropy strategy that aligns prospective donor engagement with Spark’s long-term vision, growth plans, and funding priorities.
  • Shape Spark’s overall philanthropy strategy in partnership with the CEO, Growth Director, and Executive Leadership Team, with a clear focus on expanding and diversifying the donor base.
  • Identify and prioritize new funding opportunities aligned with Spark’s programmatic expansion, research agenda, and long-term institutional growth.
  • Design innovative, multi-year partnership approaches that introduce new entry points for donors and motivate sustained investment in Spark’s larger goals.
  • Use data, insight, and compelling narrative to match prospective funders with the right opportunities at the right moment in their engagement journey.
  • Lead fundraising conversations with urgency and clarity, while building trust, integrity, and durable donor relationships.
  • Design & Manage Pipeline Operations and Systems
  • Establish effective systems and processes that support disciplined fundraising execution, transparency, and decision-making.
  • Design and manage pipeline operations, including new donor tracking, data management, and coordination of donor communications in alignment with senior communications manager.
  • Set clear fundraising goals and performance indicators, and monitor progress against targets.
  • Analyze pipeline data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for growth.
  • Share regular pipeline updates and insights with leadership and the Board to support strategic oversight and accountability.

Requirements

  • 10+ years of professional experience combined with a proven track record of closing significant philanthropic gifts or partnerships, including major and multi-year commitments.
  • A strong, relevant major donor or funder network.
  • Comfort making direct, confident asks with high-net-worth individuals and institutional funders.
  • Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and advance a fundraising pipeline from prospecting through close.
  • Strategic thinking paired with a strong bias toward action and results.
  • High emotional intelligence and strong relationship instincts.
  • Comfort operating independently in a senior, externally facing role.
Benefits
  • All Spark staff are expected to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimize harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and national legislation in the countries where we operate.
  • Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
fundraising pipeline managementdonor proposal developmentdata analysisdonor trackingpipeline operations designperformance indicator monitoringstrategic philanthropy planningrelationship managementrisk assessmentmulti-year partnership design
Soft Skills
strategic thinkinghigh emotional intelligencerelationship buildingindependent operationcommunicationtrust buildingurgency in fundraisingconfidence in askingresults orientationcollaboration with leadership