Top US-based grantmaking employers and insight on their salary

The world of philanthropy as we know it is undergoing notable transformation, driven by growing demands for greater accountability and transparency. Prominent figures like Tsitsi Masiyiwa, co-founder and chair of Higherlife Foundation, and Rimjhim Dey, founder and CEO of DEY. Ideas + Influence, have emphasized the importance of these factors in influencing change and building greater trust within the sector. Among these changes, salary transparency is also taking on new importance. To support aspiring professionals, we’ve compiled a list of the top eight U.S.-based grantmaking organizations setting the standard in salary transparency. From January 2023 to the present, these eight organizations posted a total of 1,039 job listings on the Devex job board, 731 of which included salary information, accounting for 70% of all their job postings during this period. Salary averages have been calculated based on the mean of the minimum and maximum salary ranges on Devex’s job board. Top US-based grantmaking foundations 1. Gates Foundation Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 605. Average salary: $138,095 - $239,323. Lowest and highest salary: $40,160 and $543,600. Leading our grantmakers list is the Gates Foundation, a global philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing health care, reducing poverty, and expanding educational opportunities. Similar to other foundations, the Gates Foundation discloses most salaries for positions based in the United States and provides a detailed benefits package. However, there is currently no information available regarding remote work options. Gates is currently looking for a senior program officer in vaccines and biologics based in Seattle to foster a productive and collaborative culture of innovation that accelerates the translation of research into practical health solutions. Applicants should apply before Dec. 1. 🔍View all current job postings from the Gates Foundation on Devex. 2. MacArthur Foundation Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 95. Average salary: $115,026 - $148,136. Lowest and highest salary: $65,000 and $750,000. The MacArthur Foundation is a leading private foundation that makes grants and impact investments to support nonprofit organizations in over 100 countries. All job postings on Devex were based in the United States, specifically in Chicago, where the foundation is headquartered. They offer a competitive salary and a remote work setup for employees. Currently, the foundation is looking for a director of strategy, with a hybrid work setup, to lead and design its “New Work Exploration” team. Applicants should apply before Dec. 1. 🔍View all current job postings from MacArthur on Devex 3. ClimateWorks Foundation Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 58. Average salary: $111,607 - $127,286. Lowest and highest salary: $60,000 and $250,000. ClimateWorks Foundation is a global platform for philanthropy that aims to accelerate scalable climate solutions. While most job positions are based in the United States, the foundation is committed to fostering an equitable culture of transparency and fairness. It provides expected salaries, including geographic differentials, along with detailed information about benefits package and work setup arrangements. ClimateWorks is currently seeking an associate director on a remote work setup to oversee member services, develop products, manage communications, and coordinate complex, multiday convenings for international climate funder collaborations. Applicants should apply before Dec. 1. 🔍View all current job postings from ClimateWorks on Devex 4. Ford Foundation Headquarters: New York, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 59. Average salary: $124,000 - $142,450. Lowest and highest salary: $70,000 and $253,000. The Ford Foundation is a global philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing social justice, reducing poverty, and promoting human rights through strategic grant-making and advocacy. While salary information was disclosed only for U.S.-based positions, all job advertisements include details about benefits. The Ford Foundation also proudly supports a hybrid work setup, providing flexibility for employees. Ford Foundation is looking for an experienced system integration architect on a hybrid work setup to supervise all the integrations between applications in the Foundation’s IT environment. Applicants should apply before Dec. 2. 🔍View all current job postings from the Ford on Devex 5. Helmsley Charitable Trust Headquarters: New York, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 38. Average salary: $94,053 - $106,579. Lowest and highest salary: $52,000 and $188,000. The Helmsley Charitable Trust is a global philanthropy dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities through strategic grants in areas like medical research, health care, and conservation. All jobs posted in our database were based in the United States, and each listing includes a comprehensive benefits package along with details on work setups — whether on site, remote, or hybrid. If you’re interested in joining Helmsley, the organization is currently seeking an investment associate on a hybrid work setup to support the investment directors with due diligence and monitoring of external investment managers. Applicants should apply before Dec. 1. 🔍View all current job postings from Helmsley on Devex 6. Open Society Foundations Headquarters: New York, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 93. Average salary: $98,343 - $175,349. Lowest and highest salary: $45,000 and $330,800. Open Society Foundations, or OSF, is a global organization that supports initiatives for democracy, human rights, and social justice across over 100 countries. For U.S.-based roles, OSF provides clear salary information, although its job postings don’t mention remote or hybrid work options. Currently, OSF is hiring for several roles, including an associate director position to lead their grantmaking efforts. Applicants should apply before Nov. 21. 🔍View all current job postings from the OSF on Devex. 7. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Headquarters: New Jersey, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 37. Average salary: $170,446 - $176,500. Lowest and highest salary: $50,000 and $750,000. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, or RWJF, is a leading national philanthropy focused on improving health outcomes and advancing health equity across the United States. Since Jan. 1, 2023, RWJF has adopted a “Hybrid: Flexible Purpose,” or HFP, work setup for its employees, offering a blend of in-office and remote work options. RWJF is currently seeking an executive vice president, a position which requires a deep understanding of public health issues, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate across different sectors. Applicants should apply before Dec. 1. 🔍View all current job postings from the RWJF on Devex. 8. Clinton Foundation (William J. Clinton Foundation) Headquarters: New York, United States. Jobs posted since 2023: 54. Average salary: $77,472 - $83,583. Lowest and highest salary: $42,000 and $150,000. The Clinton Foundation is dedicated to advancing global health, empowering communities, and strengthening economies through sustainable development. The organization focuses its employment efforts within the United States, with the majority of job openings based in New York, where the foundation is headquartered. The foundation is currently looking for a senior manager with a focus on climate resilience and sustainability. Applicants should apply before Dec. 1. 🔍View all current job postings from the Clinton Foundation on Devex. Interested in knowing more about how you can navigate your salary in the development sector? Check out these useful tips.