Vice President of Philanthrophy

Job Description

The Vice President of Philanthropy is a key member of the Internet Society Foundation’s leadership team, reporting directly to the Foundation’s Managing Director. This role leads the Philanthropy pillar- overseeing all grant making and measurement efforts – and plays a key role in delivering impact aligned with the Internet Society’s 2030 Strategy.

The VP of Philanthropy will shape and execute the grant making strategy of the programs portfolio and drive the excellence of Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) utilizing a data-driven approach. This role closely coordinates with our Empowerment, Revenue Generation, and Strategic Communications pillars within the Foundation, and the Strategy, Finance, Legal, People and Culture, and Program departments within the Internet Society.

The VP will lead and develop the Philanthropy team-consisting of Programs, Operations, MEL, and Communications functions, foster strategic partnerships internally and externally, ensure transparency and accountability to co-donors and stakeholders, and drive measurable impact aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values. The VP will also greatly increase the external profile of the Foundation via partnerships and communications, building on our current excellence to ensure there is trust and respect in our approach to meaningful grant making and how we support our community and ecosystem.

Location

Remote

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the Foundation Managing Director and senior leadership team and the Internet Society senior leadership to define and evolve the grant making strategy, goals, and priorities.
• Lead the development and implementation of multi-year strategic plans in alignment with ISOC 2030 strategy, co-fund strategies, and grantee and ecosystem needs
• Serve as a thought leader on issues relevant to the Foundation’s mission, bringing insight and foresight to philanthropic strategy.
• Build internal and external partnerships that continue the excellence of our existing philanthropic activities, while placing the Foundation at the centre of current efforts to ensure the viability of our ecosystem
• Represent the Foundation, and the Philanthropy team, at public events and high-level meetings across various relevant audiences
• Act as a public ambassador for the Foundation’s philanthropic function, contributing thought leadership pieces, participating in panels, and engaging with global media and sector conversations, across various relevant audiences.
• Work with Foundation MD on reporting to the Internet Society Foundation’s Board of Trustees and other governance bodies, providing strategic updates, reporting on program outcomes, co-funding developments, and philanthropic impact.
• Champion internal communication practices that promote clarity, transparency, and collaboration by regularly sharing goals, priorities, and impact with internal stakeholders across the Philanthropy team, the Foundation, and the broader Internet Society community.

Program & Impact Oversight

• Work with senior Philanthropy leadership- Programs, Operations, MEL, Communications team leads, oversee the Foundation’s grant making portfolio, ensuring programs are aligned with strategy and deliver high-impact results.
• Supervise directors and teams to design, communicate, monitor, and evaluate funding initiatives building a strong evidence-based learning culture for the Foundation and Internet Society
• Promote equity, localization, grantee-centric, and participatory practices in the Foundation’s grant making.

Co-fund Donor Relation

• Cultivate and manage relationships with existing and prospective co-fund donors, including foundations, governments, multilateral banks/organizations, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Influence and shape the design and implementation of the co-funds with other donors. Lead the development of grant strategies for fundraising activities.

Operations & Organizational Leadership

• Strengthen internal systems, processes, and policies to support growth and accountability.
• Perform fiduciary duties overseeing the operational and grant making budgets in collaboration with Operations and Programs.
• Provide leadership, development, and mentorship to senior leaders across teams.
• Support a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven organizational culture.
• Ensure systems are aligned with an all-ISOC approach to systems and data management and reporting
• Plan, lead, and execute the Philanthropy team retreat gathering for annual strategic planning.

Desired Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in grantmaking in philanthropy, international development, or related sectors.
• 10+ years of experience in digital development, tech policy or similar technology programs relating to social impact and inclusion.
• Proven ability to manage, influence, and shape complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives or funds.
• Demonstrated experience managing remote, multi-cultural teams across time zones.
• Experience building strategic partnerships and trust with other private donors, multilateral organizations, and institutional funders.
• Strong understanding of philanthropic and co-funding/collaborative funding models, evidence-based measurement and learning, and trust-based philanthropy.
• Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and people management skills.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity.
• Advanced degree in public policy, international development, philanthropy, public administration, or a related field.
• Ability to travel internationally on a frequent basis, around 40% travel likely required.

About the Organization

The Internet Society (ISOC) supports and promotes the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society. Our work aligns with our goals for the Internet to be open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. We seek collaboration with all who share these goals.

Together, we focus on building and supporting the communities that make the Internet work; advancing the development and application of Internet infrastructure, technologies, and open standards; and advocating for policy that is consistent with our view of the Internet.

The Internet Society Foundation (Foundation) is a non-profit organization that works in concert with the Internet Society. It exists to demonstrate and support the positive difference the Internet can make to people everywhere and promote the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society.

The Foundation is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion, where all individuals are valued for their distinct contributions. Our people are the most valuable strengths we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our staff invests in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and the Foundation's achievements.