Vice President

Vice President

Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund

Location: Remote (United States)
Salary: $180,000
Schedule: Four-day work week

 

The Organization

 

The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund (LSDF) is a private family foundation established following the deaths of Leonard and Sophie Davis in 2000 and 2001. The foundation is managed by their son, Alan Davis, who serves as President. LSDF has historically supported three equal program areas:

 

• Legacy Program – Created to support the ten major philanthropic institutions founded by or closely associated with Leonard and Sophie Davis, including the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Active grantmaking in this program has concluded.

• Non-Strategic Program – Enables family members to recommend grants to organizations they personally value.

• WhyNot Initiative (Social Change Program) – Focuses on promoting democracy, reducing income inequality, advancing universal healthcare, and preventing gun violence.

 

LSDF manages approximately $150 million in assets and awarded approximately $15 million in grants in 2025. The foundation also oversees compliance for approximately 25 endowed funds ranging from $1 million to $10 million, with a combined value of approximately $75 million.

 

The foundation is expected to sunset in 2036.

 

Position Summary

 

The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund seeks a thoughtful, analytical, and highly skilled Vice President to serve as the President's principal partner in managing the foundation's philanthropic portfolio and helping guide the organization through its final chapter.

 

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President will oversee the administration and stewardship of the foundation's grantmaking activities, endowed funds, financial and organizational systems, and operational infrastructure.

 

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic leader who is committed to combating inequality, advocating for campaign finance reform, and protecting voting rights. The Vice President will play a critical role in preparing the foundation for an orderly transition over the next five to ten years while gradually assuming broader leadership responsibilities.

 

This fully remote position is open to candidates anywhere in the United States and offers a four-day work week. The foundation is also open to candidates interested in serving in a full-time consulting capacity.

 

Essential Responsibilities

 

Fund Leadership

 

• Serve as the President's primary strategic and operational partner.

• Help manage the overall operations of the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund.

• Assume increasing responsibility for foundation management over time.

• Participate in long-term planning and organizational strategy.

 

Endowment & Grant Portfolio Oversight

 

• Oversee the administration of approximately 25 endowed funds.

• Monitor compliance with donor intent and endowment agreements, including potential modifications when appropriate.

• Maintain relationships with grantee organizations.

• Track grant requirements, reporting obligations, and organizational performance.

• Ensure accurate documentation, stewardship, and performance monitoring of all grants.

 

Financial & Operational Management

 

• Maintain sophisticated financial tracking and reporting systems.

• Manage complex Excel-based financial analyses and reporting.

• Oversee and improve internal data management systems.

• Coordinate with external financial, legal, and accounting advisors.

 

Continuous Improvement

 

• Identify opportunities to improve systems, workflows, and operational efficiency.

• Recommend technology and process improvements.

• Build institutional knowledge and documentation to support future generations of family members in effective philanthropic practice.

 

Qualifications

 

The ideal candidate will bring many of the following qualifications:

 

• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, law, finance, or a related field.

• Experience working with foundations, donor-advised funds, endowments, or institutional philanthropy.

• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance and charitable organizations.

• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including sophisticated financial modeling and data analysis.

• Experience in fundraising and/or grantmaking.

• Experience with nonprofit or philanthropic accounting and/or legal issues.

• Experience managing complex databases and information systems.

• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion.

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Law degree, MBA, CPA, or comparable graduate education.

• Experience in tax policy, philanthropy, nonprofit finance, or nonprofit law.

• Experience overseeing endowments or charitable funds.

• Familiarity with FileMaker Pro or similar database platforms.

• Experience leading organizational change or technology transitions.

 

Ideal Candidate

 

The successful candidate will be intellectually curious, highly analytical, creative, and equally comfortable discussing philanthropic strategy while managing detailed operational work. They will be passionate about combating inequality, campaign finance reform, and protecting voting rights, and thrive in a small, entrepreneurial environment where initiative, judgment, and discretion are highly valued.

 

Personal Characteristics

 

The ideal candidate will be:

 

• Highly organized and dependable.

• Analytical and intellectually rigorous.

• Curious and eager to learn.

• Comfortable working independently.

• Collaborative and creative.

• Practical and solutions-oriented.

• Adaptable in a small-office environment.

• Committed to mission-driven work.

 

Work Environment

 

• Fully remote position within the United States.

• Four-day work week.

 

Compensation

 

• Salary: $180,000

 

Application Process

 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.

 

The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply, even if they do not meet every qualification listed above.

 

This position description is based on materials provided by the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund, an equal opportunity employer.