Development Officer

The Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) seeks a full-time Development Officer to head our ongoing fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this professional must have an established background in creating and implementing nonprofit fundraising development strategies and programs in concert with the CEO, Board Leadership and staff.

This role involves organizing year-round general fundraising; planning, managing and executing large-scale fundraising initiatives including an annual gala and other development campaigns; planning and attending regional workshops and events that bring donors together with HDF-funded scientists, and working with and building relationships with board members, donors, scientists and staff. The development officer will also assist the CEO and Board leadership in developing strategies for major gift prospects (50K-$3 million) and planned giving.

Responsibilities:

The Development Officer’s chief priority is to design, implement and execute an annual fundraising plan in concert with the CEO and Board leadership.

This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Planning and implementing fundraising campaigns and activities including an annual gala, raising funds and evaluating outcomes  
• Identifying and cultivating prospective donors in concert with CEO and Board Chair
• Maintaining a portfolio of current donors and nurturing, cultivating and stewarding this portfolio with the goal of increasing giving year after year
• Implementing a planned giving/legacy program
• Working with the organization’s four-member staff and its consultants and sub-contractors in the areas of communications, design, video production, and online and in-person programming to expand the Foundation’s constituency and increase its donor base
• Identifying new sources of corporate and foundation support and preparing grants and financials required for submission
• Identifying new fundraising opportunities through social media channels

Regular activities include:

• Communicating with donors, constituents and staff via email, phone, or social media
• Using research tools and donor database to determine strategies to build donor relationships
• Creating solicitation materials for review by the fundraising team (Board Chair, CEO, Director of Administration, Director of Research Programs, Communications Consultant)
• Providing monthly and long-range calendars of development activities and ensure all participants are involved and updated in a timely manner

 Skills:

• Superb interpersonal, verbal and written skills
• Time management skills and ability to multi-task, set priorities and meet deadlines
• Highly organized and inspiring team leader
• Creative thinker and problem solver
• Ability to think critically
• Collaborative style and the capacity to adapt to changing priorities and refine strategies after feedback
• Raiser’s Edge NXT Fundraising or other software/tools experience

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and minimum five years of fundraising and development experience, preferably in the health, education or science nonprofit arena

Experience in grant writing and management, major gift solicitation and stewardship, membership campaigns and appeals, corporate outreach and giving and fundraising events

Familiarity with nonprofit software, donor databases and other fundraising technology, as well as social media

Ability to foster and deepen relationships with individuals, foundations, corporate partners, government agencies and other partners

Conversant in planned giving and social media campaigns

Experience developing and administering budgets

Experience in motivating and supporting Board members, volunteers, donors, and staff to achieve fundraising goals

Applications will be accepted through February 22, and early submissions are encouraged. Please send application materials (cover letter, resume, 3 professional references, and salary requirements) in ONE (1) document to Meghan Donaldson, CEO at careers@hdfoundation.org. Subject line: YOUR LAST NAME, Development Officer

Please detail notable fundraising planning, execution and outcomes in your cover letter, explaining how you envision that your past fundraising experience will benefit the Hereditary Disease Foundation. PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAIL INQUIRIES.

To help ensure the safety of all our employees we require that all employees be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Medical and religious exceptions will be taken into consideration.

About Us:

The Hereditary Disease Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, funds research to develop treatments and cures for Huntington’s disease and other related brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS. For information about our work, Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Board and Grantees, visit https://www.hdfoundation.org/