Director of Social Impact, Donor Care and Grant-Making

About Community Foundation Ireland

Community Foundation Ireland is a philanthropic hub with a mission of Equality for All in Thriving Communities. With our 25 years of experience, we work with donors, partners and communities all around Ireland to grow philanthropy and to drive positive social change.

We are one of 1800 foundations globally operating the community foundation model and we work with individuals, families, trusts, corporates and other foundations to optimise philanthropic giving. As a philanthropic hub we partner with our network of over 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners across the country.

Since our establishment in 2000 we have with the support of donors provided over €160 Million in grant-making. Invested strategically this funding allows ground-breaking work, pioneering research and brave solutions which often take a longer-term view. 

The Foundation has experienced a period of transformational growth since 2020 and with our knowledge in philanthropy, we have grown our donor base significantly in the last 5 years. Donations and annual income have increased from circa €8m to over €26m through increased contributions from families, corporates, trusts and foundations.

This momentum reflects not only growing public trust but also Community Foundation Ireland's unique ability to match strategic philanthropy with community need.

Community Foundation Ireland. For change. For better. For all.

You can find out more about our work on our website: Community Foundation Ireland

About the Role

Director of Social Impact, Donor Care and Grant-Making is a pivotal leadership role at Community Foundation Ireland, responsible for shaping and delivering strategies that maximise the impact of giving across our grant making and donor care work.

Reporting to the CEO, this is a unique opportunity to lead with purpose, driving the development, implementation, and evaluation of our social impact strategy in alignment with the Foundation's mission, vision, and values. The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying Ireland's most pressing social and community needs, building collaborative partnerships, and ensuring our grant-making delivers measurable, lasting change. The Director will work with key donors to support their philanthropic giving. With a strategic mindset and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, the successful candidate will bring together data, insight, and relationships to demonstrate the power of philanthropy to transform lives and communities.

This includes oversight of a substantial grant's portfolio (€24 million in 2024) aligned with the Foundation's mission priorities of climate and nature, equality and thriving communities. This role holder will lead a high-performing team responsible for donor care, grant management, and impact assessment, ensuring that all giving is strategically guided and results-driven.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop, refine, and lead the execution of the Community Foundation's social impact strategy, integrating best practices in philanthropy, community development, and impact measurement.
• Translate the Foundation's mission and values into actionable social impact goals and measurable outcomes. Strategically shape innovation for priority donors and issue areas.
• Support the overall impact of the Foundation as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Ensure best practices in grant making and impact management reporting.
• Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement, using data and insights to inform strategic decisions and adapt approaches.
• Represent the Foundation externally by building and nurturing key strategic relationships, and leading the implementation of our stakeholder engagement strategy

Grant-Making Strategy & Delivery

• Oversee all grant making strategy to ensure quality, compliance, and strategic mission alignment.
• Lead the strategic development and delivery of the Foundation's mission priorities, ensuring focus areas are impactful, responsive, and evidence informed.
• Improve operational systems: due diligence, application & approval processes, reporting.
• Oversee quality standards in governance, risk management, and due diligence, ensuring our work is both accountable and trusted.

Donor Care

• Working collaboratively with the Director for Philanthropy, oversight for the Donor Care Strategy/framework and its implementation.
• Build and nurture strategic relationships with donors, fostering long-term partnerships that advance the Foundation's mission.
• Oversee the portfolio of 100+ Funds to ensure high quality cultivation and stewardship, and delivery of philanthropic ambitions.
• Participate in the Donor Advisory Committee

Community and Civil Society Sector Engagement

• Oversee convening strategy and insights events for the sector, supporting impact and ensuring connectivity for the Foundation.
• Support the team to engage effectively with the sector with streamlined internal structure and providing opportunities for engagement.
• Ensure systems and grant-making respond to emerging sector challenges and opportunities.
• Be a visible and trusted advocate for the Foundation at convenings, and professional forums — building connections and amplifying our mission and impact.

Impact Measurement, Evaluation & Learning

• Oversee the design and implementation of a robust framework for measuring, evaluating, and reporting on the social impact of the Foundation's grants and initiatives.
• Lead the collection, analysis, and interpretation of both quantitative and qualitative data, ensuring insights accurately reflect impact outcomes and community change.
• Produce compelling impact narratives, reports, case studies, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences — from donors and the Board to community stakeholders.
• Facilitate ongoing learning and knowledge-sharing forums, both internally and with grantee partners, to celebrate successes, address challenges, and continuously refine our approach.

Team Leadership:

• Drive impact by leading and aligning internal teams and resources that support both donors and grant recipients in achieving meaningful outcomes.
• Champion high performance through values-based leadership and investment in professional development, ensuring team members thrive and deliver at their best.
• In collaboration with team managers, oversee effective workload management and business planning, ensuring strategic priorities are met with clarity and accountability.
• Oversight for the Foundation's Grants and Impact Committee.

About You

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic insight, leadership acumen, and a deep commitment to social impact.

Essential criteria include:

• Proven experience at senior leadership level, with the confidence to shape strategy and influence across an organisation.
• Strong understanding of the community and voluntary sector, including familiarity with key mission areas such as climate and nature, equality, and thriving communities
• High relationships management skills, with experience of donor engagement and cultivation
• Experience in senior development or philanthropic leadership, with a strong track record of driving impact and results.
• A self-directed and purposeful approach, able to navigate complexity, manage competing priorities, and lead through change.
• Strong execution skills, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaborative by nature, with the agility to work independently and as part of a mission-aligned team.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and growth.
• An authentic ambassador, able to represent the Foundation with professionalism, passion, and purpose in diverse external settings

As a Member of the Foundation Team, you will.

• Uphold and embody the Foundation's values, ensuring that your work and behaviours consistently reflect our mission and ethos.
• Understand and adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, maintaining high standards of integrity, accountability, and care.
• Be flexible and responsive, undertaking other duties as reasonably required to support the work and goals of the Foundation.
• Actively participate in team and staff meetings, as well as relevant training and development opportunities.
• Support the organisation by attending key Foundation events throughout the year and contributing to a vibrant, mission-led culture.

Please note: This job description is intended to outline the main areas of responsibility and may evolve in line with organisational needs.

Terms and Benefits

• Full-time, permanent role 35 hours per week
• Hybrid working – based in Dublin 2 office on Wednesday & Thursday currently with option to work from either office or home on other days
• Competitive salary Circa. €90,000 p.a.
• Contributory Pension 
• Income Protection and Death in Service Group Scheme.
• TaxSaver and Bike to Work Scheme.
• Voluntary Time Off & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Regular team-based activities and social activities.
• Convenient city centre location.
• Community Foundation Ireland is a strong promoter of personal and continuous professional development.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please e-mail your CV and covering letter to suzanne@mantrastrategy.ie before 5pm on Monday 21st July 2025

Informal enquiries are welcomed by Suzanne on 086 6001039.

It is expected that the first-round interviews will take place in the week beginning 11^th August 2025.

The Community Foundation for Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and promotes a policy of continuous personal and professional development among its staff. We warmly welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.