Career Center

The Vail Valley Foundation seeks a Director of Philanthropy for the Vilar Performing Arts Center. This positions requires a fundraising veteran capable of managing a major gifts portfolio and implementing a program of prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for gifts over $6,000. Some planned giving, annual fund, endowment, and capital campaign responsibilities will also be required of this position.  Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy, this individual is responsible for donor acquisition, gift and data management, benefits management, and donor relations. 

The Director of Philanthropy position is designed for a proven fundraiser or professional with substantial transferable experience, excellent communication skills, planned giving experience (or aptitude), and a track record of establishing long-term relationships between donors and institutions that result in five- and six-figure gifts. The Director of Philanthropy works collaboratively and strategically with the Vice President of Philanthropy, the VVF President, the VVF Development Committee, the Vilar Executive Director and other staff to cultivate and solicit donors for the VVF. Of critical importance is the ability to work cooperatively and in support of the VVF mission.

View the official job description here. Learn more about the Vilar Performing Arts Center here.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and references to jobs@vvf.org. For full consideration, please apply by Friday, May 22, 2026.

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Serve as the primary fundraiser for the Vilar Performing Arts Center. 

• Oversee annual giving specific for the Vilar, including grassroots, individual giving, community sponsorship, and major gift initiatives. 

• Serve as the primary liaison between philanthropy and Vilar departments. 

• Develop and manage a portfolio of existing and prospective mid-level to major gift donors at discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship donor stages. 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding all areas of the VVF mission and be able to effectively communicate the impact of the VVF to prospective and current donors in a way that inspires philanthropy. 

• Consistently meet or exceed annual and campaign-related fundraising goals. 

• Attend events at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Mountain Games, Birds of Prey, and serve as a spokesperson for the organization as needed to steward existing donors, cultivate new donors, and volunteers.

• Work closely with the VP of Philanthropy to strategically identify and transition annual support donors to major gift donor portfolios for major gift donor discovery, cultivation, and solicitation.  

• In collaboration with the Vilar Executive Director develop and execute fundraising strategies, events, and donor communications.  

• Report and document all contacts in Raisers Edge and adjust plans as needed. 

• Together with the Vice President of Philanthropy, promote Planned Giving and the Empowering Possibility Campaign.  

• Other related job duties as assigned.  

Qualifications & Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree required. 

• 3-5 years of proven fundraising experience and/or relevant experience in sales, marketing, or other related fields. 

• Meaningful experience with donor/client stewardship and cultivation, donor/client solicitation/sales, donor/client moves management, and fulfillment of donor stewardship programs.  

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to write clear and persuasive proposals. 

• Excellent time management skills and a high degree of organization, careful attention to detail, ability to multitask and to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines. 

• High energy and passion for Vail Valley Foundation’s mission is essential. 

• Flexible schedule is required, with willingness and ability to commit to working peak seasonal timeframes, nights, weekends, and holidays, primarily driven by Vilar performance and event calendar. 

• Computer literacy and knowledge of Raiser’s Edge NXT is highly desirable. 

• Well-disciplined, self-motivated, and goal-driven; able to work with a high degree of independence as well as leading a team. 

• Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and information. 

• Flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects. 

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

• Ability to participate in cross-departmental projects, using tact and diplomacy. 

• Ability to effectively identify, analyze and solve problems. 

• Sophisticated knowledge of successful fundraising principles and practices, major gift solicitation, and ethical professional standards. 

• Ability to apply sound judgment and conduct oneself professionally and with integrity. 

• Knowledge of prospect research techniques and an ability to successfully utilize those techniques. 

• Must have a valid driver’s license. 

• Must be able to successfully pass a background check. 

About Vail Valley Foundation / Vilar Performing Arts Center

Founded in 1981, the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) was created to enhance the quality of life in the Vail Valley through athletic, cultural, and educational programs and events. Today, the VVF operates with an average annual budget of approximately $33 million and a full-time staff of 74 employees. In the arts: We operate two performing arts centers, the Vilar Performing Arts Center (The Vilar) and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (The Amp), and we host the annual Vail Dance Festival. We also encourage exposure to the performing arts through programs like STARS at The Vilar and Community Arts Access, Dancing in the Streets, and Master Classes during the Vail Dance Festival. We are also the organization behind Hot Summer Nights and ShowDown Town free summer concerts. In athletics: Each December we host the Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races and the summer Mountain Games (known as the GoPro Mountain Games) each June in Vail. Historically, we have hosted three Alpine World Ski Championships (1989, 1999 and 2015) and major cycling, mountain biking, snowboarding and other international sporting events. In education: Youth Power is the education initiative of the V...ail Valley Foundation. Our programs serve children from preschool age to career and college. The organization operates in virtually every school in Eagle County and helps youth reach their full potential. We serve thousands of youth every year, and we are with them every step of the way. In community support: The Vail Valley Foundation has a vision of an extraordinary mountain community with quality of life for all. Under our Community Support pillar, we are working hard to address the childcare crisis in the Eagle River Valley. Our first project is a new state-of-the-art early childhood education and development center in Avon called Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center that will serve approximately 165 children ages 0-5.

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Connections working at Vail Valley Foundation / Vilar Performing Arts Center