Vice President of Philanthropy
Hybrid/Los Angeles
Wellnest Celebrates 100 years
ABOUT WELLNEST
Founded in 1924, Wellnest has always been on the leading edge of mental health and supportive services for children and families. Wellnest helped to pioneer early intervention programs for the 0-5 population, intensive services for at-risk children and families, skills-based mental health services for young adults 16-25, and an inventive collaboration with primary care providers, bringing mental health professionals on-site in community settings. Wellnest’s Socially Integrated Service Model is designed to address the whole child, from 0-25, the entire family, and their communities. We blend evidence-based clinical practices to address the effects of trauma; youth development programs and TAY housing to enable children and youth to develop coping skills, self-esteem, and stability; and family support services to build on family strengths to promote thriving futures. We work in partnership with the family and engage the larger community—particularly schools and other youth service providers—because we recognize that children need functional families and healthy communities to thrive.
Charlene Dimas-Peinado joined Wellnest in 2016 as its new President and CEO to lead Wellnest into its next growth phase. Through her tenure to date, she has broadened the organization’s financial health to $33 million annually with $63M in assets. She has successfully leveraged her expertise in securing public contracts and private donations to expand Wellnest’s best-in-class, compassionate, trauma-informed care and housing services.
Under Dimas-Peinado’s leadership, the organization created a new brand identity, mission, and core values – Wellnest Emotional Health & Wellness; achieved CARF Accreditation; completed new construction for the state-of-the-art Life Learning Center (Summer 2019); expanded core services to include transitional and permanent supportive housing for transition age youth (TAY); completed Wellnest’s first Permanent Supportive Housing Development project – The Nest on Florence (July 2022); completing its second Supportive (Interim) Housing Development project – The Nest on Exposition (Fall 2026); and, third construction development project – a Community Wellnest Center to provide integrated care to children and families.(Summer 2026).
When Dimas-Peinado joined Wellnest, there had been little focus on philanthropy and the diversification of revenue streams. One of her key initiatives was to significantly transform the organization's approach to philanthropy and communications. She hired a VP of Advancement & External Affairs to build a sustainable fundraising and communications program which today is producing around $1.5 million a year. A testament to the success and of its philanthropic growth and awareness culminated in the resounding success of Wellnest's centennial celebration in September of 2024, which raised $1 million.
In January 2024, Wellnest hired Rebecca Haussling as its first Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. This new position was created to focus exclusively on communications and public relations efforts, allowing for a more specialized approach to managing Wellnest's brand, messaging, and public engagement. The addition of this role allowed the VP of Advancement & External Affairs and her team to concentrate solely on fundraising initiatives and donor relations, capitalizing on the organization's growing philanthropic potential.
Recently, the VP of Advancement & External Affairs was recruited to an Executive Director role, and now, with more of a single focus on philanthropy, the position has been renamed the VP of Philanthropy. Wellnest seeks its next VP of Philanthropy to build upon this momentum of success and drive its next level of growth to continue shaping the future of its philanthropic efforts.
Position Description
Reporting to and in partnership with the President and CEO, the Vice President of Philanthropy is responsible for leading and executing all aspects of Wellnest’s comprehensive fundraising, donor relations, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, fundraising events, public image, community engagement, and external partnerships, developing and executing strategic plans to maximize resource generation and enhance Wellnest’s reputation through various communication channels and stakeholder interactions. The Vice President collaborates closely with the President & CEO, VP of Communications & Public Affairs, Board members, and staff to ensure the organization meets its fundraising goals to support its mission and services. The Vice President of Philanthropy manages the Director of Annual Fund & Donor Relations, an Advancement Associate, and contracted grant writer.
Role Summary
The Vice President of Philanthropy will lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive fund development plan designed to advance the financial sustainability of the organization. The fund development plan, approved by the President & CEO, and the Board Advancement Committee, will include measurable goals and actionable strategies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Collaborate with the President & CEO, VP of Communication & Public Affairs, Board Advancement Chair, and staff to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, including annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, and corporate/foundation grants to meet Wellnest’s fundraising goals.
Lead and manage a team of development professionals including Director of Annual Fund and Donor Relations, an advancement associate, and a contracted grant writer.
Spearhead needs assessment to identify and implement an integrated CRM system. Oversee the entire process, including in-depth research, strategic procurement, development of efficient workflows, and orchestration of staff training to ensure seamless adoption and maximize system utilization.
Secure capacity-building funds to support organizational mission expansion.
Define and upgrade solicitation protocols tailored to donor types, levels, and funding purposes.
Actively expand networks for cultivating diverse funding sources, including corporate, foundation, individual, and public sector funders.
Cultivate and steward relationships with existing donors, identify potential new donors, and manage a robust donor database to ensure effective communication and engagement.
Support and enhance collaborative relationships with service partners.
Build and maintain relationships with key community stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and partner organizations to advocate for Wellnest’s priorities.
Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors to inform them about philanthropy-related activities, secure their support for fundraising initiatives, and manage board engagement.
Serve as the lead staff fundraiser and coordinator for all fundraising activities.
Plan and execute signature fundraising events, such as the Annual Family Fun Fest, Golf Tournament, Sip & Social, etc., and support other events that align with fundraising goals.
Research public and private grant opportunities.
Oversee proposal writing and grant reporting processes.
Work closely with VP of Communications & Public Affairs to oversee the development and execution of strategic communication plans to promote the organization’s mission, programs, and impact through various channels like press releases, media relations, publications, and website content.
Ensure effective day-to-day operations of the Office of Philanthropy.
Oversee publication of donor-related communications such as annual reports and newsletters.
Actively participate in agency leadership activities, including regularly scheduled training, and special events.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or other related field from an accredited college or university. Graduate degree preferred.
A minimum of ten (10) years of accomplished strategic experience is required. At least five (5) years of experience in a senior leadership role overseeing fund development and charitable gift planning in a mid-to-large size fast-paced organization.
Experience in non-profit management, mental health, child or adult welfare, or human services is highly preferred.
Proven track record of success in fundraising, particularly in managing complex fundraising campaigns, including major gifts, corporate giving, and foundation grants.
Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
Must possess and maintain a valid CA driver’s license and insurable driving record.
CFRE is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A strong commitment to advancing Wellnest’s mission.
Knowledge of budgeting, financial forecasting, and fundraising metrics is essential.
Deep understanding of the non-profit landscape and fundraising best practices, and familiarity with Los Angeles County mental health, homelessness, and other community concerns.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and cultivate effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to plan, develop and implement effective fundraising strategies, including conceptualizing and executing high-level fundraising initiatives.
Expertise in donor database management with the ability to use donor data to inform fundraising strategies and prepare reports.
Ability to engage program staff to support fundraising goals while respecting their operational responsibilities.
Ability to adapt to various roles, including leader, facilitator, and technical advisor, based on situational needs.
Ability to foster productive relationships with the Board and the Advancement and External Affairs Committee.
Ability to build and sustain connections with funders and key decision-makers.
Advanced written and oral communication skills with the ability to speak clearly on behalf of the organization and motivate and inspire others to advance the organization’s fundraising efforts.
Demonstrate cultural humility and sensitivity with diverse groups across lines of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, class, ability, gender, and other identifiers.
Knowledge and understanding of the historical context of racial inequality and its present-day implications with the ability to use references and examples that speak to the experiences of a diverse audience, particularly audiences in the communities we aim to reach.
Excellent organizational, coordination, problem-solving, and time management skills, including planning and managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an eye for detail.
Ability to remain flexible in the face of competing demands.
Ability to be proactive and capable of resolving complex problems expeditiously in support of the organization’s strategic goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., MS Word, Excel, PPT, and Outlook).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., MS Word, Excel, PPT, and Outlook).
Compensation
Annual Salary Range: $150,000 - $210,000
Wellnest offers a personalized benefits package from available medical, dental, and vision coverage plans and employer-paid life insurance.
Wellnest employees benefit from an employer-sponsored 401(k) company match of up to 4% and profit-sharing contribution benefit of up to 5%.
Please contact Vanessa Petersen for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.
Phone:(917) 670-1555
Email: Vanessa@SterlingSearchInc.com
Please direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Any communication with Wellnest will be redirected back to Sterling Search.
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