Fundraising Executive Search for Nonprofits, Foundations, and Educational Institutions

National Fundraising Executive Search for Nonprofit Organizations, Foundations, Associations and Educational Institutions


We Connect Mission-Driven Organizations To Exceptional Development & Philanthropic Leadership.


Locating, attracting, evaluating, and retaining exceptional fundraising leadership takes considerable planning and resources. That is why our national nonprofit executive recruiters devote their time to expanding our diverse private fundraising leadership network and building connections for our clients. We do this because it is our genuine passion to connect incredible missions and organizations to leading fundraising executives. For us, each executive placement is an avenue to help empower our clients’ mission and grow their impact and programs. Overall, by staying exceptionally active in the national nonprofit and philanthropic community we connect our clients to the best fundraising talent on the market.

Since 2006, Scion Executive Search has been placing exceptional fundraising executives at prestigious foundations, organizations, associations, and educational institutions. We have worked with clients throughout the United States on behalf a wide variety of mission focuses and programmatic specialties.

Over the years while we have been most active in cities and regions with growing nonprofit communities, we have also lead very successful searches for remote rural areas. Our regional executive search teams and offices recruit within all US states and locations.

We specialize in conducting expedient and comprehensive national development and philanthropy searches for the following roles:

  • Chief Development Officer (CDO)
  • Director of Development (DoD)
  • VP of Development 
  • Chief Program Officer (Grantmaking)
  • Director of Philanthropy
  • Director of Advancement
  • Major Gifts Director/Manager
  • Annual Fund Director/Manager
  • Planned Giving Director/Manager
  • Corporate Partnerships Director/Manager
  • Program Officer (Grantmaking)
  • Program Coordinator (Grantmaking)
  • Program Associate (Grantmaking)
  • Grant Writer/Director
  • Events Manager

As experts in nonprofit development recruitment we understand the vital importance of hiring mission-driven talent, and thrive in placing experienced leaders at social causes that are affecting change locally, nationally, and globally. Even better, because nonprofit development executive recruitment is our niche – we already hold the talent and connections required to fill even the most difficult national and local development searches.

From the smallest social services to the largest foundations and universities, we can offer a wide array of nonprofit fundraising talent to meet your organizational needs. Contact us today to be connected to top tier talent with the knowledge, passion, and abilities to help your organization grow and meet its development goals.

Completed Development Executive Search & Client Examples

  • Marin Community Foundation

Director for Philanthropic Advising

  • CureDuchenne

Chief Development Officer

  • Born Free USA

Director of Development (Current Search)

  • Council of Chief State School Officers

Chief Development Officer

  • SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute

Development Director

  • One Sight

Senior Director of Global Development

  • Mercy Housing

Senior Vice President of National Philanthropy

  • Holt International

Chief Development and Marketing Officer

  • All God’s Children International

Strategic Development Director

  • La Clinica de La Raza

Annual Fund Professional

  • Brothers on the Rise

Director of Development

  • Blue Shield Foundation

Grants Director

  • Bureau of Jewish Education

Director of Development

  • The Marcled Foundation 501(c)(3)

Executive Director

  • Golden Gate University

Major Gifts Officer

  • Zen Hospice Center

Events Director

  • Job Train

Director of Development

  • Community Gatepath

Director of Corporate Partnerships

  • Techsoup

Global Senior Grants Manager

  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Grants Manager

  • The American Lung Association

Director of Development

  • YWCA of Silicon Valley

Chief Development Officer

  • Carnegie Foundation

Director of Network Relations & Development

  • Community Gatepath

Vice President of Development

  • Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Director of Planned Giving

  • Be A Mentor

Director of Development

  • Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund/Marin Community Foundation

Haas Initiative Director

  • Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Program Officer

  • East Bay Community Law Center

Major Gifts Officer

  • Zen Hospice Center

Director of Development

  • Boys and Girls Club

Director of Institutional Giving

  • Center For Youth Wellness

Interim Director of Development

  • Center for Food Safety

Development Manager

  • Adopt A Special Kid

Development Manager

  • Golden Gate University

Director of Development

  • CureDuchenne

Director of Development

  • Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission

Innovation Officer

  • Urology Care Foundation

Development Specialist

  • Life Without Limbs

Donor Relations and Community Outreach Manager

*Please note: the above list is only a sample of current work and not a full list of search engagements.