Location: Washington, DC (with travel up to 30%) 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer 

This position requires on-site work five days per week.

About Spirit of America 

Spirit of America is a privately funded 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside US troops and diplomats and providing private philanthropic assistance to save and improve lives, defend freedom, and strengthen America’s national security. 

Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the US military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. Our agreement with the Department of Defense allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide us logistical support. No other nonprofit has such an agreement. Thus, every philanthropic dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the US government and military. That leverage — combined with our entrepreneurial, venture capital capability — provides philanthropic investments in Spirit of America with asymmetric impact and return on investment. 

Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.  

About the Role: 

Spirit of America (SOA) is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Vice President, Development to significantly grow and diversify our fundraising program. The VP, Development, will be responsible for setting and surpassing ambitious revenue targets by cultivating a robust base of high-net-worth donors, while also building strong relationships with foundations. This includes identifying and qualifying new prospects, designing tailored cultivation strategies, and creating compelling opportunities and events that inspire engagement and sustained investment. 

You’ll be joining a collaborative, high-performing team that operates with urgency, creativity, and purpose. SOA has a strong culture of trust, accountability, and shared success. In this role, you’ll partner closely with International Operations, marketing, communications and other executive colleagues to ensure fundraising efforts are fully integrated, mission-aligned, and positioned for maximum impact. 

This is more than a development role—it is an opportunity to shape a growing organization, leverage SOA’s unique value proposition to engage America’s most influential philanthropists and institutions, and deliver a fundraising strategy that advances America’s role in the world, increases the safety and success of U.S. troops and diplomats abroad, as well as the local people and partners they support. 

Reporting to the CEO, the VP, Development will lead all SOA fundraising efforts above grassroots fundraising, manage and mentor a high-performing team, and ensure SOA’s development function drives measurable national security impact.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Fundraising Leadership – Set and exceed ambitious revenue targets by understanding SOA’s
• full fundraising potential. Assess current capabilities, identify gaps, and implement a comprehensive, multichannel strategy to grow annual philanthropic revenue. 
• Major Gifts – Personally manage a portfolio of high-net-worth donors ($100K+), foundations, and aligned institutions. Drive all stages of the fundraising cycle—identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—resulting in meaningful, sustained commitments.
• Team Building – Recruit, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team. Establish clear goals, accountability, and professional growth pathways that enable the team to consistently achieve and surpass fundraising objectives.
• Strategic Alignment – Partner with the CEO, Board, and senior leadership to ensure development priorities are fully integrated and aligned with SOA’s mission, operational goals, and long-term strategy.
• Collaboration – Work closely with International Operations, Marketing, and Communications to develop compelling cases for support, design high-impact donor experiences and events, and build broad awareness of SOA’s mission.
• Governance & Compliance – Partner with Finance and Legal/Administration to ensure rigorous compliance with fundraising laws and regulations, manage grants effectively, and maintain the highest standards of ethics and accountability in all fundraising practices.
• External Representation – Serve as a trusted ambassador for SOA, engaging senior stakeholders across philanthropy, business, military, and government. 

What Success Looks Like in Year One 

• Achieve or surpass annual fundraising goals, including securing multiple six- and seven-figure gifts from new and existing donors. 
• Expand the high-net-worth donor and foundation base by at least 20%. 
• Launch at least six donor engagement opportunities (events, briefings, or field experiences) that strengthen relationships and inspire continued investment. 
• Build a development team with clear roles, measurable performance expectations, and demonstrated results within six months of hire. 
• Implement improved systems, pipelines, and reporting processes that provide transparency, accountability, and actionable insights across the development function. 
• Create a development strategy and growth plan that meets SOA’s business and revenue objectives, 

Key Experience & Qualifications 

• 10 + years of a strong mix of fundraising, national security, international affairs and international development experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role. 
• Demonstrated success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and institutions. 
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing fundraising team. 
• Experience building fundraising operations and systems (CRM, donor pipelines, prospect research). 
• Knowledge of national security, international affairs, or related fields strongly preferred. 
• Ability to travel up to 30%. 

Attributes 

• Mission-driven and entrepreneurial; thrives in a fast-paced, growth environment. 
• Intellectually curious and able to communicate complex issues clearly to donors. 
• Authentic, trustworthy, and naturally builds relationships at the highest levels. 
• Collaborative team player who works effectively across functions and with external partners. 
• Skilled communicator—equally adept at listening, asking insightful questions, and inspiring others. 

Compensation:

Salary ranges from $205,000 to $240,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and 403(b) contribution match to 4%. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Spirit of America is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable laws.