Additional Information
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Note: This position is open to relocation. Preferred candidates are based in -or willing to move to - the Bay Area, CA, the greater LA Area, CA, or the greater San Diego area or in the Seattle Area, WA
Background:
The Airbel Impact Lab is IRC's Research and Innovation team: Our mandate is to develop and rigorously test new solutions in aid, driving towards the most effective and cost-effective approaches. Our work has yielded results: We've pioneered breakthroughs in treatment of acute malnutrition, in edtech, and in seed security for farmers; In 2025, we were named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Non-Profits .
Now, as the landscape of aid shifts, we're embarking on a new chapter: We're focusing on bringing the best technology and innovation - wherever it exists - into the aid sector to drive towards the highest impact at scale we can achieve for the 305M people in humanitarian need today. To fund this work, as a team our philanthropic goal is $10M+, coming from a variety of sources, including private philanthropy, government support, public partnerships, corporate and foundation support, and innovative philanthropic investment vehicles.
Job Overview:
We are hiring an Associate Director of Innovation Philanthropy for Airbel Impact Lab to primarily build as well as steward relationships with high-net-worth individual philanthropists, family offices, and family foundations, particularly within innovation-forward ecosystems (e.g., tech, Silicon Valley). We have a growing network of engaged, innovation-minded donors and a global, high-impact fundraising team. This role is for someone who can build on this foundation, bringing their own connections and creativity to deepen and diversify our reach. We are seeking someone with exceptional relationship-building skills, an ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams, and a proven track record of cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts. You would be responsible for raising donations from $100K to $2.5M+.
The Associate Director of Innovation Philanthropy will own the full lifecycle of philanthropic partnerships-from prospect identification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship. You will translate complex technical innovations into compelling narratives that resonate with philanthropic audiences, working closely with technical teams to ensure accuracy while maintaining accessibility. This role requires someone who can quickly become conversant in diverse humanitarian challenges, from immunization and malnutrition to emerging crisis response innovations, and distill key messages with the right mix of nuance and storytelling.
The ideal candidate combines entrepreneurial instincts with systematic relationship management, thrives in building trust with sophisticated donors, and has a track record of closing high-impact gifts. They understand how to navigate the philanthropic landscape with both strategic patience and tactical urgency, building a robust pipeline while stewarding existing relationships for long-term partnership. As part of the IRC fundraising team, you will collaborate with colleagues on strategies to engage new donors and grow revenue, as well as work with a range of programmatic, leadership, and technical stakeholders to align donor interests with high-impact opportunities.
Theirc · Oakland, CA Usa