Vice President, Philanthropy

The Vice President of Philanthropy serves as the lead fundraising officer for ACS and provides strategic leadership for all philanthropic activities. The Office of Philanthropy works to support and advance the Society’s mission to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Philanthropy is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that both deepens and grows philanthropic support for ACS priorities. The VP will work in close partnership with the CEO, COO, programmatic leadership, philanthropy staff, and the Board of Directors to deepen existing relationships, identify significant and timely sources of support, and expand ACS’s long-term philanthropic pipeline.

The Vice President will lead the development of a high-performing fundraising enterprise, cultivate transformational philanthropic partnerships, and build a culture of philanthropy across ACS. The VP will oversee principal and major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, donor stewardship, campaign strategy, and philanthropy operations, while helping shape the systems, talent, and cross-functional partnerships needed to accelerate fundraising growth and organizational readiness.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropic strategy aligned with ACS's strategic plan and organizational priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, COO, Board of Directors, and ACS leadership on philanthropic opportunities and trends.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy, organizational planning, and executive decision-making as a senior leader, ensuring philanthropic priorities are aligned with ACS's long-term strategic and operational goals.
• Champion and embed a culture of philanthropy across ACS by fostering awareness, engagement, and shared accountability for philanthropic success among leaders, staff, and volunteers.
• Lead the development of annual and multi-year business plans for the philanthropy function, including revenue projections, resource allocation, investment priorities, and key performance
• Oversee and manage the philanthropy budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, responsible stewardship of resources, and transparency in financial planning and reporting.
• Lead the philanthropy function in achieving an annual fundraising goal of $25M, within the next three years, through clear strategy, strong pipeline management, and consistent execution.
• Establish and oversee regular performance reporting, forecasting, and accountability mechanisms to monitor progress, identify risks, and ensure achievement of annual and long-range fundraising objectives.
• Develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies across internal and external constituencies to build alignment, strengthen relationships, and advance philanthropic priorities, including partnering with ACS leaders to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive

• Identify and develop opportunities to transform the philanthropy function for the more effective advancement of ACS priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects capable of making seven- and eight-figure gifts.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for principal, major, and planned
• Design and execute fundraising campaigns, including comprehensive and targeted
• Serve as an external ambassador for ACS, representing the organization with donors, prospective donors, foundation leaders, corporate partners, and other key stakeholders to strengthen visibility, credibility, and philanthropic investment.
• Build and sustain a strong donor pipeline through prospect identification, relationship strategy, retention, and upgrading pathways that support long-term philanthropic growth.

• Expand relationships with private foundations, corporate partners, and industry leaders across the sciences ecosystem.
• Develop strategic funding partnerships that support ACS programs, research, education, workforce initiatives, and public impact.

• Assess and evolve the philanthropy function’s structure, roles, capabilities, and talent strategy to support growth, accountability, and sustained performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing philanthropy
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented
• Promote best practices in donor engagement, stewardship, prospect management, and fundraising

• Oversee fundraising operations, donor services, prospect research, gift administration, reporting, and analytics.
• Lead the review of philanthropy technology such as Raiser’s Edge and Salesforce for tracking, reports, and analytics.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and financial standards governing charitable
• Lead the development and implementation of policies, governance practices, and operating standards for philanthropic activities, ensuring alignment with ACS standards, regulatory requirements, transparency, and institutional integrity.
• Develop robust stewardship and donor recognition programs that demonstrate impact and inspire continued support.
• Utilize data and technology to improve fundraising effectiveness and donor

• Partner with ACS leadership, Board of Directors, and Development Advisory Board to advance fundraising goals through strategy development, donor engagement planning, and effective

• Ability to come into the HQ Office 2 days a week under the hybrid work
• Ability to travel approximately 25-40% of the time to support donor cultivation, stewardship, fundraising campaigns, board engagement, and ACS events.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support donor, volunteer, and board

This role is based in our Washington, DC office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $225,000 – $270,000 per year. ACS employees work a hybrid schedule, consisting of working onsite two days per work week, as decided by functional area. The balance of the week is open to working remotely, though employees are always welcome onsite each day if they choose.

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location. 

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time. 

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including significant experience securing major and principal gifts.
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs with annual and campaign fundraising goals exceeding $20 million.
• Experience building relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporations, and scientific or technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead and upskill high-performing teams. 
• Demonstrated success leading organizational growth, change, or transformation in a complex advancement or fundraising environment.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and influencing
• Strong financial and analytical

• Experience in scientific, higher education, research, healthcare, engineering, or STEM-focused nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with scientific research funding
• Experience supporting national organizations with complex governance structures and volunteer
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or equivalent professional

Search Process

The American Chemical Society has retained Stanton Chase, an executive search and leadership advisory firm, as its search partner. For questions, nominations, and personal expressions of interest, please reach out to:

Iris Drayton-Spann                                          Prianka Maharaj

Managing Director                                          Talent & Operations Manager

Stanton Chase DC                                           Stanton Chase DC

(O): 202-248-5088                                          (O): 202-248-5088

EMAIL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS TO: p.maharaj@stantonchase.com

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