A community for senior development leaders driving major fundraising efforts. Members are experienced chief fundraisers at Jewish organizations with large national portfolios. This cohort connects peers solving big strategic challenges, sharing leadership insights, and shaping the future of Jewish philanthropy together.

Selection Criteria

Members must:

1. Serve as the senior development professional at a Jewish communal/Israel organization that raises $3 million+ annually from a national portfolio of donors
2. Oversee at least one fundraising professional
3. Have at least 10 years management experience

Designed for seasoned major gift officers who are actively securing high-impact gifts, this group brings together professionals with a proven track record in direct fundraising. It’s a peer network where real stories, practical tactics, and mutual support help elevate performance and career momentum.

Selection Criteria

Members must:

1. Serve as a Senior Major Gifts Fundraiser responsible for raising gifts at the five-figure and above level for a national Jewish communal/Israel organization with a charity rating of 3 stars or above
2. Have at least 5 years of direct fundraising experience

A space for institutional grant writers and funding strategists who advance organizational impact through foundation and institutional support. Members share best practices, refine proposal strategies, and build meaningful connections with peers who tackle similar challenges in Jewish communal fundraising.

Selection Criteria

Members must:

1. Serve as a grant writer for a Jewish communal/Israel organization that raises at least $3 million annually
2. Have at least 3 years grant writing experience

• Lead fundraisers for national organizations that raise between $1-$5 million
• Development operations leads
• Early career development professionals
• Fundraising US Dollars, based in Israel
• Development consultants
• Major gifts with 10+ years experience
• Executive Directors of small organizations looking to expand their fundraising skills

Click here to apply

Cohorts are where the real DLead magic happens. Almost immediately you will have a new network of colleagues facing the same challenges you are on a day to day basis. Plus you will have access to additional opportunities to accelerate your career like DLead Select

DLead cohorts are designed to be meaningful, relational, and high-value. To make that possible, we ask cohort members to commit to the following expectations:

Attendance & Participation

• Cohort Gatherings: Members are expected to attend a minimum of 3 out of 6 cohort gatherings during the year.
• All-Cohort Gatherings: Members are expected to attend at least 1 out of 2 all-cohort gatherings, which are designed to strengthen cross-cohort connection and shared learning.

Planning Ahead

• Calendar dates will be shared well in advance so participants can plan accordingly.
• We understand that schedules shift and conflicts happen; the goal is intentional participation, not perfection.

Engagement Norms

DLead gatherings are interactive and peer-driven. Members are encouraged to:

• Show up ready to participate in discussions and small-group activities
• Share perspectives and challenges honestly
• Contribute to a respectful, thoughtful learning environment

In order to maximize the experience for our cohort members, we limit the number of development professionals in each group. Our application process ensures that all cohort members share similar professional experience and challenges.

Thanks to the generosity of the Schusterman Family Philanthropies, there is currently no cost to join a DLead Cohort.

Click here to apply. We will update you on your application status within 2-3 weeks.

Great! Please click here, choose the third option and let us know what cohort you would be interested in joining (e.g. what is your title). If there is enough interest, we will do our best to make it happen.