Vice President of Philanthropy Services

Overview

Bridges Trust is a privately-owned trust and wealth management firm providing comprehensive trust, wealth management, family office, and strategic planning services for a growing client base of successful individuals and families, endowments and foundations, business owners, and corporations. Our experienced team of professionals in investments, trusts, and philanthropy are dedicated to helping our clients develop and implement innovative and effective strategies to preserve and maximize their wealth across generations.

The Vice President of Philanthropy Services is responsible for delivering exceptional philanthropic services to Bridges Trust clients while building and scaling a comprehensive advisory platform across donor-advised funds, private foundations, and other charitable vehicles. This role combines strategic client leadership, oversight of the firm’s donor-advised fund solution, and team management to position the firm as a trusted partner in philanthropy. This position plays a critical role in growing the firm’s philanthropic footprint, developing scalable advisory solutions, strengthening internal capabilities, and ensuring alignment with best practices in governance, compliance, and impact.

• Partner with client-facing teams to identify and cultivate philanthropic services opportunities
• Lead prospect conversations and develop customized proposals for private families and foundations
• Serve as a trusted philanthropic advisor and relationship lead for key client relationships sourced through business development efforts
• Deepen relationships with existing clients by expanding philanthropic engagement and strategic advisory services
• Position the firm as a leader in philanthropic strategy and donor advised fund management through community engagement, speaking opportunities, and industry participation

• Provide strategic oversight of the firm’s donor advised fund platform, ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance, and excellence within both operational and customer experience
• Enhance and evolve the donor advised fund value proposition, including service offerings, grantmaking support, and impact reporting capabilities
• Serve as subject matter expert on donor advised fund strategy for advisors and clients
• Identify opportunities to integrate donor advised fund services with broader philanthropic and wealth planning solutions

• Lead philanthropic visioning, strategic planning, and grantmaking strategy for private families and foundations
• Advise on charitable vehicle selection and structuring in coordination with tax and legal advisors
• Guide impact measurement and evaluation, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Support governance design, multigenerational engagement, and succession planning

• Lead, mentor, and develop the philanthropy services team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• Set clear performance expectations and align team goals with firm growth and strategic objectives.
• Provide senior-level guidance on complex client engagements
• Partner cross-functionally to deliver integrated client solutions and drive continuous process improvement
• Contribute to long-term strategy for growth, capability building, and platform expansion

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Proven Track Record in Client and/or Prospect Development
• Demonstrated experience managing or advising on Donor Advised Funds
• Experience overseeing philanthropic planning and grant administration

Preferred

• Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP)
• 10+ years of nonprofit, philanthropy, wealth advisory, or related leadership experience
• Experience leading or scaling a philanthropic services or DAF platform

• Strategic relationship builder with measurable success in growth and retention
• Strong leadership capability, including oversight of systems, compliance, and operational processes
• Business development mindset with ability to drive measurable revenue growth
• Client-focused and responsive; diplomatic and tactful in all client situations
• Skilled in negotiation, problem solving, delegation, and solution-oriented sales
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Commitment to operating within a collaborative, team-based culture aligned with the Firm’s core values: trust, excellence, service, diligence, relationship, performance, and development