Major Gifts Fundraiser
Reporting directly to the CEO, this new position will be a vital and front-facing role at Glioblastoma Foundation (GF), the nation's first and pre-eminent non-profit committed to funding research for new, more effective therapies for glioblastoma - a rare, terminal grade 4 brain cancer.
Founded in 2016, Glioblastoma Foundation has funded high-impact research at leading medical centers around the country including Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Cornell, MD Anderson, and others. With the help of its Scientific Advisory Board and leadership team with decades of scientific and clinical experience, Glioblastoma Foundation is uniquely positioned to be able to identify the research that will get us to a cure as quickly as possible.
The Major Gifts Officer will design, develop, and implement our major gifts program. This position is a good fit for someone who is outgoing in nature, results-driven, and has the ability to make donors and partners experience the value of their contributions to our work. An ability to connect with donors, support their philanthropic goals, and clearly communicate Glioblastoma Foundation's important mission, vision and valuable work is key. You will be expected to persuade prospects and drive results.
Primary responsibilities of the Major Gifts Fundraiser will be, but not limited to, the following:
Program Management - (30%)
- Develop a donor pipeline with individualized goals through extensive research on giving potential through wealth screenings;
- Identify potential corporate sponsorship and foundation leads, collaborating with necessary team members;
- Design and execute solicitation strategies that meet organizational objectives and donor interests including retention and upgrades;
- Develop print and web-based planned giving materials with the assistance of graphic designers and other communication team members;
- Support the development of key fundraising products and activities to attract and retain high net worth individuals;
- Organize and maintain up-to-date records in donor database and provide key metrics and regular reporting that reflects activity.
Donor Engagement and Retention - (50%)
- Identify potential high-value donors and cultivate relationships to grow portfolio of current major donors for financial gifts and planned giving;
- Implement donor cultivation strategies for all high net worth Glioblastoma Foundation donors;
- Solicit major donors for financial gifts and planned giving - engaging the CEO to increase the likelihood of a successful solicitation and to provide executive - level support, such as briefing materials and written proposals.
Direct Assistance to the CEO - (20%)
- Stay up to date with all program and project fundraising needs and budgets for which major donor support would be critical;
- Provide additional support as needed, including writing grant and partnership proposals, cases for support, appeal letters, pitches, etc.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree and 2 years relevant experience preferred;
- Highly effective interpersonal skills with exceptional writing and the ability to professionally communicate with donors;
- Proven track record of fundraising from high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and corporations;
- Experience with prospecting and pipeline building for six-figure+ gifts with proven success;
- Proficient use of donor database management software, Salesforce, or similar CRM; Microsoft Office programs, and Adobe Creative Suite;
- Ability to exercise discretion when dealing with confidential organizational and donor information;
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time and undertake occasional evening and weekend work if required to connect with donors.