President, International Science Foundation

Career Guide

Leads a science-focused charitable foundation, setting strategy, overseeing grantmaking and impact, fundraising, and day-to-day operations. Partners with the board, manages senior leaders, stewards donors, and represents the organization to researchers, partners, and policymakers.

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Key Responsibilities

Set organizational vision and multi-year strategy
Oversee science grantmaking portfolio and impact evaluation
Cultivate major donors and institutional funders
Manage executive team and organizational performance
Partner with board on governance, policy, and risk oversight
Develop annual budgets and steward endowment/investments
Represent the foundation publicly and in media
Build partnerships with universities, labs, and NGOs

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Chief Executive Officer of a larger foundation or global NGO

President & CEO overseeing a larger endowment and portfolio

Managing Director or Head of Philanthropy/Programs at a major foundation

Transition Opportunities

Chief Development Officer (major gifts and institutional giving)

VP/Director of Programs (Science Philanthropy)

Social Impact/Philanthropy Strategy Consultant

University Research Administration Executive (e.g., VP for Research Advancement)

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Major gift fundraising at the seven-figure levelGrantmaking design and impact measurementBoard governance and nonprofit risk managementEndowment oversight and nonprofit financial strategy

Development SuggestionsServe on or advise a nonprofit board to learn governance; lead a restricted-funds or capital campaign; complete a nonprofit finance or grantmaking course (e.g., Candid/Foundation Center, BoardSource).

Market Intelligence Report

President, International Science Foundation is part of the Business Operations category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$120,000–$180,000

Mid Level$180,000–$280,000

Senior Level$280,000–$500,000+

Growth Trend

stable – Steady demand; roles are few and turnover-driven in philanthropic leadership

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Simons FoundationHoward Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Industry Sectors

Philanthropy & FoundationsResearch & Higher EducationNon-Profit & Social Impact

Recommended Next Steps

Complete BoardSource’s Nonprofit Governance training and Candid’s Grantmaking Basics course to build governance and grantmaking fluency.

Lead a major gifts initiative or capital campaign (partner with a science nonprofit) to demonstrate seven-figure fundraising capability and pipeline management.

Join the Council on Foundations and attend its leadership programs; network with program officers and CEOs to secure mentorship and board roles.