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.

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).

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

1
Complete BoardSource’s Nonprofit Governance training and Candid’s Grantmaking Basics course to build governance and grantmaking fluency.
2
Lead a major gifts initiative or capital campaign (partner with a science nonprofit) to demonstrate seven-figure fundraising capability and pipeline management.
3
Join the Council on Foundations and attend its leadership programs; network with program officers and CEOs to secure mentorship and board roles.