Responsible for the effective execution of major gift fundraising to grow private philanthropy in meeting critical financial goals consistent with the Rheumatology Research Foundation’s mission and strategic plan. Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts ($50K-$500K) from prospective and existing individual donors nationwide. Must maintain an aggressive donor prospect face-to-face meeting schedule (combination of virtual and in-person), visiting prospects with a minimum of 80% focus on developing relationships, gift solicitation, and closing, and managing and staffing leadership volunteers.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
- Develop and implement strategies for ongoing discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift individual donor prospects.
- Manage a portfolio of 100-150 prospective major gift donors with a focus on soliciting and closing gift requests ranging from $50,000 – $500,000, either alone or with appropriate executive staff or volunteer(s).
- Manage extensive face-to=face donor prospect visit schedule to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donor prospects.
- Meet or exceed regional minimum fundraising targets of $500K – $2M annually.
- Meet or exceed monthly, annual activity metrics, including, but not limited to, number of contacts, visits completed, gifts closed.
- Enable the success of executive leadership, and/or volunteers assisting on cultivation, solicitation, and/or stewardship visits to prospective major gift donors, by providing expertise and support, including, but not limited to, scheduling and visit logistics, developing/writing prospect strategy briefings, and gift request proposals.
- Manage prospects’ moves in Raiser’s Edge database, including but not limited to, accurate, timely recording of contacts made, contact reports/visit notes, and other discovery information toward prospect moves’ strategy.
- Participate in short- and long-range planning, consistent with Philanthropy department goals and fundraising best practices; collaborate with other Philanthropy Officers toward shared goals.
- Oversee timely execution of stewardship activities related to donors in the Philanthropy Officer’s portfolio.
- Work closely with their supervisor in implementing a cohesive strategy toward meeting or exceeding overall fundraising and department goals; meet at a minimum on a bi-monthly basis for accountability and best-practices training.
Other
- Perform other duties assigned by supervisor or senior leadership to advance organizational goals.
Qualifications
- BA/BS plus eight (8) years’ experience in major gift fundraising with demonstrated success in securing gifts ($50K+) from individuals, in healthcare and/or higher education environment; working with physicians is highly preferred, or MS/MA/MBA/JD with five (5) years’ experience in related field, or more than twelve (12) years’ experience with no post-secondary degree.
- Experience utilizing move management techniques and prospect research.
- Advanced knowledge of gift transaction components and gifting vehicles, including stock transfers, estate, and life-income gifts.
- Advanced knowledge and demonstrated use of Raiser’s Edge or fundraising databases, internet-based research, Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word, required. Web browsing proficiency is also required.
- Exceptional collaboration and communication abilities, including strong writing skills and a proven talent for delivering compelling, persuasive presentations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally, utilizing considerable tact and diplomacy, toward motivating and engaging a variety of constituents.
- Proactive ability to organize and manage several projects simultaneously and exercise judgment in prioritizing and handling responsibilities.
- Strong collaboration skills with demonstrated success partnering with staff, members, and vendors at all levels.
- Ability to schedule and maintain travel.
- Familiarity with virtual meeting software applications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar is required.
More Information
Travel: Up to 50% of travel is required to fulfill job responsibilities, which may include evenings/overnight and weekends for both ACR and Rheumatology Research (RRF) annual meetings, donor visits, other organization meetings, and/or staff retreats.
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The ACR provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The ACR complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities or conducts business.
This is not a contract. The description and duties as they relate to this position are subject to change as reasonable business necessity dictates. In the event of such changes, a new job description may be created.
Benefits at a glance (as of 07.01. 2026)
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