About Us

The Cleveland Foundation, established in 1914 as the world’s first community foundation, continues to shape the future of place-based philanthropy more than a century later. With $4.1 billion in assets and a legacy of bold leadership, we are driven by a commitment to improve the lives of everyone who calls Greater Cleveland home, today and for generations to come.

Joining our team means becoming part of a culture that blends history-making impact with forward-looking innovation. Our vision is a vibrant Northeast Ohio where no Clevelander is left behind. Every team member plays a key role in advancing this vision by tackling Cleveland’s most critical issues, championing opportunity for all, and helping unlock the full potential of our region.

Our headquarters in the heart of MidTown places us at the center of a historic neighborhood and growing district, surrounded by partners, community leaders and residents who are reimagining what’s possible for our city. Here, you’ll work in a dynamic, collaborative environment designed to spark creativity, deepen relationships, and accelerate change.

At the Cleveland Foundation, you can be part of building a stronger future for every Clevelander.

About You

You are a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Highly organized and service-focused, you bring order to complexity, anticipate needs, and ensure priorities move forward efficiently. Working closely with the Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, you help translate priorities into action and ensure key initiatives, relationships, and commitments move forward effectively. You provide exceptional support to the broader Philanthropic Services team while coordinating executive activities, crafting donor communications, maintaining critical information systems, and supporting meaningful events and engagement opportunities.

You enjoy building relationships and creating positive experiences for donors, fundholders, and community partners. You understand the importance of responsiveness, professionalism, and discretion when serving individuals who are investing in Greater Cleveland's future. You excel in fast-paced environments where priorities shift and no two days are the same, balancing attention to detail with a strong customer-service mindset.

Above all, you are motivated by meaningful work and energized by the opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to strengthening Greater Cleveland through philanthropy, donor partnership, and community impact.

Job Summary

The Senior Coordinator, Philanthropy provides high-level administrative, operational, and donor-facing support to the Senior Vice President, Philanthropy and the Philanthropic Services team. This role coordinates executive priorities, manages sensitive information with discretion, supports CRM data integrity, and helps ensure seamless donor, meeting, and event experiences aligned with the Foundation’s mission. This person also contributes to cross-departmental collaboration and donor engagement through responsive service and event coordination. The position reports to the Senior Vice President, Philanthropy. 

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership Support

• Enable the effectiveness of the Senior Vice President, Philanthropy by proactively coordinating priorities, workflows, internal and external meetings, travel, and administrative operations.
• Drive efficient execution of leadership commitments by managing competing demands, anticipating needs, and ensuring timely follow-through on key initiatives.
• Facilitate clear, professional communication with internal and external stakeholders through the preparation of correspondence, agendas, and presentation materials.
• Protect confidential and sensitive information while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Manage special projects and assignments by establishing objectives; determining priorities; identifying resources; handling internal and external communications; problem-solving and providing timely updates.
• Support department budget management by processing expense reports, invoices, purchase requests, and procurement needs in coordination with other departments.

Donor and Philanthropic Services Support 

• Enhance donor engagement by delivering high-quality administrative and technical support that ensures seamless fund services and event experiences.
• Maintain accurate donor and fund records in iPhi, Salesforce, and related systems; prepare reports, update constituent information, and support data quality practices that strengthen donor service and team decision-making.
• Advance donor satisfaction by serving as a contact for inquiries, providing timely and effective support through the donor portal, help desk, and philanthropy hotline.
• Support strategic events and meetings by coordinating logistics, preparing materials, and ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants.

Administrative Support 

• Strengthen cross-functional collaboration by liaising with internal teams and external partners to resolve issues, share data, and implement technology enhancements.
• Promote operational efficiency by proactively identifying and implementing technology-based solutions and supporting the rollout of new CRM features and upgrades.
• Foster inclusive philanthropy by upholding the Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all interactions and services.

General Competencies

• Judgment
• Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to detail 
• Project Management 
• Confidentiality, Integrity & Professional Judgment

Required Qualifications

• Five to seven years of administrative experience at the senior level, working in a professional office environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to work proactively, independently, and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, grammatical, and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation and ability to interact effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and anticipate challenges.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), internet research, database maintenance. Experience with Canva is preferred. 
• Physical ability to lift or move items up to 15 lbs. for event support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Familiarity with the Cleveland business and nonprofit community.
• Understanding of philanthropic fundraising practices.
• Experience with donor databases such as Salesforce or similar platforms.

Work Environment

• The role is primarily office-based, involving frequent interaction with executives, staff, and external partners.
• The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, as well as occasional lifting of light office supplies and materials.
• Occasional extended hours to meet deadlines or support special events.
• Occasional travel may be required for meetings, events, or conferences.