itrek is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower both rising and
established leaders from diverse sectors to engage their networks in meaningful
Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s
unique culture, diversity, richness, and complex reality. Since its founding in
2011, more than 27,000 influential leaders representing 130 nationalities have
traveled to Israel through itrek. In the last three years itrek has expanded its
programs with itrek Launchpad, partnering with institutions and individuals to
bring their professional networks to Israel, and with the absorption of REALITY
from Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.
itrek is a 30-person team based in New York and Israel that continues to operate
as a fast-moving and nimble organization. We value thoughtful experimentation,
strong collaboration, and colleagues who take ownership and push work forward
with clarity and purpose.
itrek | Chief Development Officer
Strong preference for candidates based in the New York Metro Area to facilitate
a hybrid work model with two office days per week in Midtown Manhattan; itrek is
open to considering candidates based elsewhere, especially on the East Coast,
provided the appointee can accommodate frequent travel
Organization Overview
itrek is a private, U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to empower
both rising and established leaders from diverse sectors to engage their
networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and
appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness, and complex
reality. Israel and the region are layered with nuance and complexity, but they
are frequently reduced to simplistic storylines and soundbites. itrek enables
leaders to see the reality for themselves. Through peer-led experiences, they
build meaningful connections and gain nuanced insight into Israel and the region
that they carry into their leadership roles.
Since its founding in 2011, more than 27,000 influential leaders – 91% of whom
are not Jewish – representing 130 nationalities have traveled to Israel through
itrek. In the last three years itrek has expanded its programs with
itrek Launchpad, partnering with institutions and individuals to bring their
professional networks to Israel, and with the absorption of REALITY from Charles
and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. In FY25, itrek welcomed more than
1,080 participants across 40 Israel Treks.
itrek is a non-partisan, non-affiliated, non-religious organization with an
approximately 30-person team based in New York and Israel. itrek continues to
operate as a fast-moving, nimble organization that values thoughtful
experimentation, strong collaboration, and colleagues who take ownership and
push work forward with clarity and purpose.
Position Summary & Context for Recruitment
Reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the Chief
Development Officer (CDO) leads itrek’s fundraising strategy and resource
development efforts. The CDO is responsible for securing the philanthropic
support necessary to sustain and grow the organization’s $15M+ annual budget
through both institutional and individual giving.
The CDO develops and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy, overseeing
all aspects of donor engagement, including cultivation, solicitation, and
stewardship of major donors, foundations, and institutional partners. This role
also oversees the planning and execution of events designed to engage donors and
prospective supporters, strengthening relationships and expanding itrek’s
philanthropic community. The CDO supervises a four-person team characterized by
its passion for itrek’s mission. The CDO will provide strong, stable leadership
to ensure an agile, close-knit development team ready to respond to
opportunities as well as challenges amid dynamic geopolitical and philanthropic
environments.
Working closely with the CEO and Board leadership, the CDO helps shape and
advance the organization’s strategy, ensuring the resources and partnerships
needed to expand itrek’s impact and enable more future leaders to experience
Israel firsthand. The CDO will be the key figure in driving itrek’s growth in
major-gifts-focused individual giving to complement the organization’s historic
strength in institutional giving. They will effectively balance strategic
leadership and impactful frontline fundraising execution.
itrek secured approximately $12.5M in total contributions during FY25 and
averaged more than $11.5M in total contributions during the past three fiscal
years.
The following information describes the primary responsibilities of the position
and is not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties:
FUNDRAISING STRATEGY
* Develop and execute a strategic, comprehensive fundraising plan to support
itrek’s annual operating budget of $15M+.
* Lead institutional and individual giving strategies, including engagement
with foundations, major donors, and other philanthropic partners.
* Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects, including managing
relationships with high-capacity donors and institutional funders.
* Partner closely with the CEO on top-tier donor relationships and major gift
strategy.
* Oversee the strategy and execution of donor and prospect events designed to
cultivate relationships and deepen engagement with itrek’s mission.
* Develop high-impact opportunities for donors to connect with the
organization’s work and community.
* Ensure that compelling marketing and communications are deployed efficiently
in strategic integration and furtherance of fundraising activities.
TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS
* Lead and manage the development team, setting clear goals, performance
metrics, and fundraising priorities.
* Build a high-performing fundraising infrastructure, including systems for
donor engagement, stewardship, and pipeline development.
* Leverage AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to enhance fundraising
effectiveness, improve donor intelligence, streamline development operations,
and increase team productivity while maintaining strong ethical and data
stewardship practices.
* Ensure strong coordination across fundraising activities to maximize impact
and long-term donor relationships.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
* Serve as a key member of the executive team, helping shape organizational
strategy and growth initiatives.
* Strategically partner with the CEO, Board Chair, and Chair of the Board’s
Development Committee on Board engagement, leveraging the talent and
resources of Board members and facilitating their appropriate roles as
fiduciaries and long-term stewards of itrek.
* Collaborate with leadership on strategic projects that expand itrek’s reach
and impact.
* Ensure fundraising strategy aligns with organizational priorities and
long-term growth goals.
Candidate Profile
While itrek will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will
align with the following:
* Authentic connection to and passion for itrek’s mission.
* Comfortable operating in relation to evolving and volatile geopolitical and
philanthropic environments.
* Twelve or more years of overall nonprofit fundraising experience serving in
roles with progressive levels of responsibility; seven or more years of
development staff management experience, preferably including leading teams
in hybrid or remote work models.
* Knowledge of and fundamental adherence to the principles, ethics, and best
practices of modern fundraising, including the integration of various giving
programs to diversify the funding base and cultivate greater donor
commitments.
* Track record of leading multi-channel fundraising strategies inclusive of
individual and institutional giving as well as advancing prospect discovery
and engagement at all giving levels; demonstrated success in frontline major
gift fundraising from cultivation through solicitation and stewardship,
especially with high-net-worth individuals at the level of six to seven
figures or greater.
* Strength in developing and executing fundraising strategies to achieve goals
as well as creating and managing budgets; ability to effectively strategize
and engage various stakeholders in fundraising initiatives, including
partnering directly with the most senior levels of an organization and
collaborating across departmental / divisional lines; track record of
ensuring that fundraising initiatives are mission-focused and consistent with
organizational goals.
* Demonstrated success in developing strong and winning cases for support as
well as a working knowledge of modern communications and marketing strategies
to engage diverse audiences and affinity groups while broadening the donor
base.
* Strong capability to recruit, lead, manage, evaluate, and develop fundraising
professionals while fostering continuous improvement, shared accountability,
and a growth-oriented, process-driven, best practices team culture; track
record of maintaining durable, efficient fundraising infrastructure and
systems and metrics-based goals.
* Experience motivating, coaching, and increasing the comfort level of
organizational stakeholders in fundraising initiatives, including board
members or other high-level volunteers.
* Commitment to data-driven decision making and measurement of success;
knowledge of modern data management practices that can streamline processes
and contribute to the integration of related functions.
* Demonstrated curiosity about and comfort with emerging technologies, and the
ability to thoughtfully integrate AI-powered tools into fundraising strategy,
donor engagement, research, communications, and operational workflows.
* Integrity and mature judgment in handling sensitive information
* Adaptive and relational leadership style with the balance of awareness and
humility needed to work collaboratively across diverse cultural and
professional stakeholder groups; ethos of servant leadership and mutual
respect.
* Self-starter with an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset who embraces new
technologies – including AI – to continuously improve fundraising
effectiveness, organizational learning, and team performance.
* Superb verbal and written communication skills, including excellent
presentation skills; the stature and demeanor to serve as a highly visible,
public-facing ambassador and inspirationally communicate itrek’s work and
impact.
* Dedication to personal and professional development and open feedback.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The annual base salary for this role is expected to range from $190,000 to
$240,000, commensurate with
experience. itrek is open to discussion if you believe your background and
qualifications merit a higher salary.
BENEFITS
▪ Dynamic and fast-growing nonprofit organization
▪ Generous vacation time package including Jewish and American holidays and
early Friday closure for
Shabbat and Jewish holidays
▪ Two weeks annually of ‘Work from Anywhere’
▪ Wellness stipend
▪ Paid sick leave and parental leave
▪ High-quality medical, vision and dental plans available
▪ 5% company match on retirement savings in company 401(k)
SEARCH TEAM
itrek has retained DSG Fundraising & Advancement of DSG | Koya to assist in this
confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current
resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed
to one or more members of the search team.
APPLY HERE OR VIA THE BELOW CONTACTS [https://www.dsgco.com/search/23049-itrek/]
Gerard F. Cattie, Jr. (he/him)
Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder
DSG Fundraising & Advancement
gerard.cattie@dsgco.com | 212.542.2587
Beth Reeves (she/her)
Vice President and Senior Search Associate
DSG Fundraising & Advancement
beth.reeves@dsgco.com | 212.542.2584
Tammy Schillin (she/her)
Executive Assistant | Project Manager
DSG Fundraising & Advancement
tammy.schillin@dsgco.com | 212.542.2579
itrek is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of
ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and
state law.
itrek is a hybrid work environment with a minimum of two days per week in the
office.