Jewish Fundraising &
Development Jobs

Jewish Nonprofit Fundraising: A Career Unlike Any Other

Fundraising in the Jewish world occupies a unique position. The federation system alone — with its annual campaigns, major gifts operations, and endowment programs — employs thousands of development professionals across the country. Add national organizations like ADL, JDC, UJA, and AIPAC, hundreds of local nonprofits, JCCs, day schools, and Hillels, and you have one of the most active nonprofit fundraising ecosystems anywhere.

What makes it different from secular fundraising is the culture: donors and fundraisers often share the same community, the same holidays, and sometimes the same synagogue. Relationships are long, personal, and deeply tied to Jewish identity and continuity. That's not a challenge — it's an advantage if you're the right fit.

Types of Jewish Fundraising & Development Jobs

• Major Gifts Officer: Cultivates and closes five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors. The backbone of federation and large nonprofit fundraising teams.
• Director of Development: Leads the full development operation — strategy, team management, donor portfolios, board relations, and campaign oversight.
• Annual Fund Manager: Runs mass-market fundraising: direct mail, email campaigns, phonathons, and year-end appeals.
• Grants Writer / Foundation Relations: Writes proposals and manages relationships with private foundations, federations as grantmakers, and government funders.
• Planned Giving Officer: Works with donors on bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and estate gifts. Increasingly in demand as federation donors age.
• Campaign Manager: Manages specific capital or endowment campaigns, coordinating volunteer leadership, timelines, and case-for-support materials.
• Development Associate / Coordinator: Supports the development team with data entry, donor research, gift processing, and event logistics. Common entry point.
• Chief Development Officer (CDO): C-suite leadership of a large development operation, often at a federation, JCC, or national organization.

Top Jewish Organizations Hiring in Development

• Jewish Federations (NYC, Greater Boston, Chicago, Miami, LA, SF, and 140+ others)
• Jewish national organizations: ADL, JDC, UJA-Federation, ORT America, HIAS, AJC
• JCCs (Jewish Community Centers) — major employers with full development departments
• Jewish day schools and yeshivas — smaller teams, but growing endowment cultures
• Hillel International and campus Hillels
• Jewish Family Services agencies
• Israel-focused organizations: FIDF, American Friends societies, Israel bonds
• Jewish foundations and philanthropic arms

What Jewish Development Jobs Pay

Salaries vary significantly by organization size, location, and seniority — but Jewish development roles are generally competitive within the nonprofit sector:

• Development Associate / Coordinator: $45,000–$65,000
• Major Gifts Officer (mid-level): $70,000–$95,000
• Director of Development: $90,000–$140,000
• Chief Development Officer: $130,000–$200,000+
• Federation CDOs in major markets often exceed $200,000 with benefits

How to Position Yourself for a Jewish Fundraising Role

Jewish organizations value authentic connection to the community. In your application and interviews:

• Speak to your personal connection to Jewish life, community, or the organization's specific mission
• Highlight any volunteer leadership in Jewish organizations — board service, campaign volunteering, event chairing
• If you have a donor portfolio or closed gifts, quantify them — major gift fundraisers are hired on track record
• Raiser's Edge and Salesforce NPSP experience is highly valued across the sector
• Relationships matter: who you know in the Jewish community is a real credential