Director of Grantmaking and Impact

Women Donors Network [WDN; 501(c)(3) organization] and WDN Action [WDNA; 501(c)(4) organization] are immediately hiring a passionate Director of Grantmaking and Impact to lead and manage WDN and WDNA grantmaking, programs and events. This is a full-time, remote role that will report to the Vice President of Learning and Impact.

ABOUT US

Women Donors Network [WDN] is a national network of women donors [cis and trans], nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals committed to protecting and advancing gender, racial, economic, and climate justice. As a growing multiracial and multigenerational community of donor organizers, we connect, grow, fund and mobilize together in solidarity with movements to transform people, culture, and systems rooted in justice. Through WDN Action, our c4 organization, we work to transform policies, political infrastructure, and political possibilities by investing in advocacy and electoral strategies that center the leadership of historically excluded communities. Together, we envision a just and sustainable world where everyone can safely and freely determine their own futures. 

This is an exciting time at WDN and WDN Action as we embark on the first year of our bold strategic plan. We are in a period of growth and transformation and are expanding our team of people who are passionate about social justice and motivated to amplify our impact. Our values are rooted in a culture of courage, commitment, curiosity, accountability, hope, and joy. You can read more about our path forward here.

We are a geographically distributed, remote team of 21 from a range of intersectional identities, including cisgender, BIPOC, and nonbinary people. We have a shared staffing structure across WDN and WDN Action, where our team dedicates a portion of their time to each organizational entity. We believe that a diverse team is integral to our work and strongly encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+ and all other applicants from historically excluded identities in the United States.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Grantmaking and Impact leads and implements grantmaking initiatives to leverage the strength of our membership network and maximize our impact. This role will manage participatory grantmaking processes, support WDN’s future incubated initiatives, build strong relationships with movement leaders and activists, and engage with WDN members to ensure programmatic success and strong member engagement. 

The Director of Grantmaking and Impact couples a strong strategic mindset with their outstanding project management, coordination, and collaboration skills to execute our vision as an impactful, sustainable program. They are a strong team player, convener, and thought partner, both internally and externally. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

As WDN/A continues to operationalize our new strategic plan, the Director of Grantmaking and Impact will be focused on the following:

GRANTMAKING STRATEGY

• Design and implement strategy to build participatory grantmaking projects, incubated initiatives, and innovative ways WDN can support and/or resource promising initiatives. 
• Create a new strategy for member engagement in grantmaking decisions, leveraging strong relationship-building and communications skills to facilitate collaborative, engaging, and inclusive decision making processes.
• Co-develop and administer a decision-making framework to guide grantmaking decisions across WDN and WDNA in partnership with the Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy.
• Drive strategy for impact reporting, ensuring a seamless, people-centered approach to grantee check-ins and reporting so that WDN can amplify the impact of grantees’ work.

GRANTMAKING & FUND MANAGEMENT

• Manage a grantmaking portfolio of $10M+ by supporting proactive movement-rooted strategy development, leading grant research, and developing grant recommendations in partnership with the Vice President of Learning and Impact.
• Serve as the primary liaison for all funds, including the Strategic Opportunities Fund, Impact Collectives, Reflective Democracy Campaign and Rapid Response Fund. 
• Lead cross-committee engagement opportunities for joint learning, shared strategy, and funding.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Build strong relationships with members, grantees, funder/donor network partners and issue-area experts.
• Reflect member needs, interests and priorities in grantmaking strategy and execution. 
• Apply issue-area expertise and collaborate with key stakeholders to support innovative, mission-aligned programs and learning opportunities.
• Design and execute an approach to grantmaking that facilitates a holistic, supportive experience for grantees.

TEAM LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Lead and participate in team meetings and projects, sharing insights, providing thoughtful feedback, and collaborating with colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Build, foster and sustain a culture of collaboration, communication, excellence, and accountability.
• Lead, coach, and manage the Grantmaking and Impact Team, aligning their scope with WDN/A’s strategy and goals.
• Manage and review performance of the Grantmaking and Impact Manager.
• Support onboarding and training of new WDN/A members.
• Seek opportunities for professional growth through training, workshops, and self-directed learning. 
• Contribute to organizational success by continuously learning about industry trends and best practices, updating practices and approaches.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of social justice grantmaking experience.
• A steadfast commitment to social justice, WDN/A’s mission, vision and values; experience in a membership organization is preferred.
• Understanding and fluency in the complexities of communicating with a dynamic community of multigenerational and multiracial audiences, including differences across race, age, wealth, power, privilege, access, ability, etc.
• Demonstrated track record in building and successfully scaling grantmaking strategy, capacity and external influence. 
• Previous experience as a Department Leader in a similar context [across 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) work], with the ability to support, mentor, and grow varying skill sets and abilities.
• Attuned to the movement landscape and current events with the ability to craft timely, written analysis that connects to and advances WDN/A’s strategic priorities. 
• Verifiable experience and passion for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with partners, donors, and media that strengthens our voice, presence, and influence in the field.
• Exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills and proficiency in Google Suite, Zoom, Slack and MacOS.

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS

• A collaborative, motivating and proactive leadership style. 
• A charismatic communicator with executive presence, commitment to transparency, a high level of emotional intelligence, and a willingness to have courageous conversations. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate plainly and directly – with empathy and insight.
• Ability to maintain a growth mindset even when met with challenges and able to problem solve by providing dynamic solutions.
• A flexible, agile working style that succeeds in fast-paced, entrepreneurial organizations that centers what is best for the organization, a culture of kindness and one team mindset.
• Outstanding team leadership, program management, relationship building, donor engagement and public speaking skills.

CANDIDACY PROCESS AND TIMELINE

To be considered for the Director of Grantmaking and Impact role, please submit an application, resume and cover letter through application portal on the WDN Careers Page. We will continue to accept applications for this opportunity until this role is filled, prioritizing applications received prior to September 3, when we will begin an initial application review. 

To protect the integrity of our structured candidacy process, we kindly ask that all applicants do not call, email or message our office or any member of the WDN Team or Board of Directors about this opportunity. We will review applications as received and will invite a short list of candidates to schedule a screening call with a member of our team.

WDN is an equal-opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. WDN encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. WDN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, country of origin, citizenship, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, exercising one’s right to family care and medical leave, medical condition, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. WDN is not offering US visa sponsorship at this time.

Upon request, WDN offers accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the application, interview, and hiring process, such as additional time on hiring exercises, interview questions in advance, or closed captioning on Zoom.

The base salary for the Director of Grantmaking and Impact starts at $150K/year. This role is also eligible to receive WDN's Employee Benefits Package, which is inclusive of the following:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance [paid by WDN at 100% for employees and 80% for dependents]
• 401K Contribution [4% of your gross pay contributed by WDN and an additional 3% match of your gross pay]
• 20 Vacation Days, 14 Sick Days and 14 Company Holidays
• Partial Reimbursement of Your Internet and Phone Expenses
• Stipends to Support Remote Office Expenses, Co-Working, and Learning and Development