Strategic Partnerships Manager

About us:

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. Lenders on Kiva can start with as little as $25 to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s gender equity and support for women, refugees, climate change, small businesses, agriculture, and more. Since our founding, over two million people have invested over $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 100 countries and over 5 million borrowers

As we work toward our mission, Kiva invests in building and retaining a global team of talent to add to our values-driven and digital-first culture. Our organization is supported by over 700 volunteers and 130+ full time employees dispersed around the world, as well as within team hubs located in San Francisco, Nairobi, Bogota, and Bangkok. Kiva’s team is growing as we pursue exciting new opportunities to scale our impact and create a financially inclusive world.

Kiva's values:

Impact first - This is why we exist. This is the drumbeat we march to. Every day.

Extreme ownership - Own it; you, your relationships, your impact. Insist that others support you and hold you accountable.

Be curious and bold - Never stop learning. Question assumptions. Take Risks and dream big.

Inclusion. Equity. Diversity. - Without reservation and without caveat. In our hiring, in our workplace and in our impact in the world.

Honor and integrity - Do the most right thing in the most right way. Cherish diversity and respect each other.

Love and kindness always - Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And don't say it mean. Clarity. Courage. Kindness.

Role overview:

The Manager, Strategic Partnerships helps grow philanthropic support for Kiva by cultivating individual donors, engaging philanthropic advisors and donor-advised fund partners, and developing compelling donor communications. This role manages a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects, builds pathways to major giving, and translates Kiva’s impact into opportunities for deeper engagement and support.

As an individual contributor on the Strategic Partnerships team, you will work closely with colleagues across Finance, Marketing and Communications, Product and Engineering, and impact-focused teams to strengthen donor relationships, improve the giving experience, and support proposals and reporting. Success requires sound judgment, strong writing, and the ability to independently manage complex work while collaborating across teams.

At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Individual and mid-level donor strategy and engagement (40%)

• Manage and cultivate relationships with a portfolio composed primarily of mid-level and major-tier donors and prospects, with support from Strategic Partnerships colleagues. Develop tailored engagement, solicitation, and stewardship plans that deepen commitment and create pathways to major gifts.

• Develop and implement an engagement strategy for donor-advised fund sponsors, philanthropic advisors, and other “gatekeeper” professionals who influence charitable giving. Equip Kiva relationship managers with approaches and resources they can use to build these partnerships.

• Partner with colleagues to improve website journeys, digital communications, and unique Kiva offerings such as managed lending for mid-level and major donors.

• Represent Kiva in donor and advisor conversations, bringing in colleagues with relevant expertise when needed. Pursue thought leadership opportunities through articles, conference presentations, and other relevant channels.

• Plan and deliver in-person and virtual donor events with the Strategic Partnerships team to deepen engagement and generate qualified prospects.

• Cross-functional partnership development (30%)

• Work with Finance and SP colleagues to ensure accurate gift documentation and clear coordination on donor commitments and stewardship.

• Partner with Product and Engineering, as needed, to implement improvements to donor communications and engagement.

• Gather impact data and borrower stories with relevant teams and translate them into effective proposals, reports, presentations, newsletters, and other donor materials.

• Maintain accurate donor records and track relationship activity, prospect pipelines, and progress toward agreed fundraising and engagement goals.

• Communications and marketing (30%)

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications teams to coordinate donor messaging across Strategic Partnerships audiences and channels.

• Plan, write, and edit clear, persuasive donor communications that connect Kiva’s mission and impact to donor interests.

• Use campaign and event results to improve outreach, strengthen calls to action, and assess donor engagement and lead generation.

Preferred qualifications:

• 5 years experience in nonprofit fundraising, strategic partnerships, or a related field, including cultivating and stewarding individual donors and prospects.
• Experience developing donor engagement strategies and moving prospects toward meaningful philanthropic commitments.
• Familiarity with donor-advised funds, philanthropic advisors, and major giving; experience engaging these audiences is a plus.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex programs and impact data into compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Experience collaborating across functions and managing multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholder relationships independently.
• Comfort using a CRM such as Salesforce and digital engagement data to track activity, run reports, evaluate results, and refine strategies.
• Sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and confidence representing an organization with donors and external partners.
• A commitment to Kiva’s mission and values, including financial inclusion, equity, and respect for the communities we serve.

What we offer:

• A work-from-home position; final candidate must be authorized to work in one of the states listed below.
• An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
• Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
• A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, parental leave, professional development, 401k matching, and unlimited PTO. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by Kiva.
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world
• Salary range: $71K - $92K; a final offer will be dependent upon a candidate’s location, skills, and experience. 
• Currently, we are only able to hire home employees residing in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NY, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, and WA.

A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kiva's culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!

We will only accept applications directly from candidates. Kiva will not be responsible for any recruiting agency fees, absent a formal agreement.