Director of Development, California

Yad Vashem USA Foundation is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.

BACKGROUND

About Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem’s mission is to lead the documentation, research, education, and commemoration of the Holocaust, and to convey the chronicles of this singular Jewish and human event to every person in Israel, to the Jewish people, and to every significant and relevant audience worldwide.

Yad Vashem serves as a global center for documentation, research, education, and commemoration, preserving the memory of six million Jews while confronting distortion, denial, and antisemitism. Housing the largest and most comprehensive collection of Holocaust artifacts, documents, photographs, and survivor testimonies, Yad Vashem ensures this history remains credible and accessible for future generations.

Beyond remembrance, Yad Vashem is a living institution with an urgent contemporary mission. As the world enters an era without living Holocaust survivors, the responsibility to convey the lessons of this singular human tragedy has never been greater. Through rigorous scholarship, innovative education, and global outreach, Yad Vashem engages diverse audiences and stands as a lasting beacon of historical truth, moral clarity, and human dignity.

About Yad Vashem USA Foundation

Yad Vashem USA Foundation (YVUSA) was established to support and advance Yad Vashem’s mission by deepening engagement and investment across the United States. Built from the ground up, YVUSA has exceeded initial fundraising goals and laid the foundation for long-term growth.

YVUSA operates with a small, highly committed national team and an engaged board, with a growing presence in New York, Florida, California, and other regions across the country. At its core, YVUSA is driven by a belief that supporting Yad Vashem is not only an act of remembrance, but a commitment to truth, education, and moral clarity in an increasingly complex world.

To learn more, please visit: https://yadvashemfoundation.org/

The Position

The Director of Development, California is a new and pivotal role for Yad Vashem USA Foundation (YVUSA). Joining at a time of significant growth and opportunity, the Director will build on the momentum already established in California while expanding YVUSA’s reach, visibility, and philanthropic support across the region.

Working in close collaboration with the national office, the Director will help shape and grow YVUSA’s presence in California, with a primary focus on Los Angeles and Southern California. The Director will build relationships with prospective donors and community leaders, engage existing supporters, and create opportunities for people across the region to connect with Yad Vashem and its mission. The role will also help establish the structure and relationships needed to build a strong and sustainable regional fundraising effort.

The role calls for someone who can think strategically while also being highly hands-on. The Director will develop and execute fundraising strategies, personally cultivate and solicit major donors, and create meaningful opportunities for donor engagement. Success will require close collaboration with national and volunteer leadership, as well as the ability to translate broader YVUSA priorities into effective work on the ground in Los Angeles and Southern California.

Reporting to Deputy National Director Beth Katznelson and working closely with National Director Tamar Major, the Director will be an important part of YVUSA’s expanding team. Over time, the Director will have the opportunity to help shape and lead a growing regional team as YVUSA continues to strengthen its presence in California.

ROLE OVERVIEW

• Grow YVUSA’s presence in Los Angeles and Southern California by building on the momentum already underway and expanding the organization’s network of donors, prospects, and community leaders.
• Build and manage a strong portfolio of prospects and donors, moving relationships from initial engagement through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with a focus on five- and six-figure gifts and above.
• Create a dynamic regional fundraising program through donor gatherings, parlor meetings, speaker programs, events, and other opportunities that bring people closer to Yad Vashem’s mission.
• Develop and activate volunteer leadership, cultivating strong relationships with local board members and helping establish a regional advisory committee.
• Serve as a visible representative of YVUSA and Yad Vashem, building awareness and engagement across Los Angeles and the broader Southern California Jewish and philanthropic communities.
• Partner closely with national leadership to translate YVUSA’s broader fundraising priorities into a focused strategy for Los Angeles, Southern California, and, over time, the broader California market.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial and accomplished fundraising professional who is excited by the opportunity to build a growing regional presence and expand YVUSA’s philanthropic support in the region.

• Strong track record of success in major gifts fundraising, including five- and six-figure solicitations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills, with the ability to build trust and engage donors and community leaders.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to work effectively with national staff, volunteer leaders, and colleagues across the organization.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to independently set priorities, manage a portfolio, and follow through.
• Entrepreneurial and creative, with the ability to identify opportunities and build a fundraising program with initiative and resourcefulness.
• Familiarity with the Los Angeles and Southern California Jewish communal and philanthropic landscape, with broader California experience a plus.
• Passion for YVUSA’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate its importance to a range of audiences.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends and travel regionally and to Israel as needed.
• Salesforce experience preferred.

LOCATION AND WORK MODEL

This a remote role with a preference for candidates based in Los Angeles. The role requires regional travel throughout California and the west coast, periodic travel to New York, and occasional travel to Israel.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Yad Vashem USA Foundation offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package for this role. The salary range for this position is $180,000–$200,000.

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