Development Manager (Major Gifts)

Position: Development Manager (Major Gifts) 

Status: Full Time Position 

Reports to: Vice President of Fundraising and Communications 

Supervisory Responsibility: n/a 

Location: Hybrid – Downingtown, PA Office; remote arrangement considered with ability to travel to Downingtown, PA office on an as needed, occasional basis 

How to Apply: Email a cover letter and resume to cory.mcginley@trgconsultants.com. Include “Development Manager (Major Gifts)” in the subject. 

Organization Information:
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of scientific research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).  

 We are a mission-driven, collaborative community dedicated to supporting the advancement of research that drives the development of treatments for people living with FA.  

 Our compassionate team understands that at the heart of every research grant, clinical trial, and scientific breakthrough are dynamic and resilient individuals and families living FA. Together, we fund and facilitate research to slow, stop, reverse, and cure FA.  

Position Summary:
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is seeking a Development Manager (Major Gifts) with a passion for rare disease research and a successful track-record of managing and growing successful major giving fundraising programs. The Manager reports to the Vice President of Fundraising and Communications and will serve as a vital member of the Fundraising team. They will be responsible for ensuring that all fundraising and communications activities for major donors ($10,000 and up) are utilizing best practices to reach ambitious fundraising goals and provide excellent stewardship for donors. Domestic travel is required to meet donors. 

Professional Experience Requirements: 

  • Bachelor’s degree required 
  • Minimum five years of experience in fundraising 
  • Demonstrated experience in Major Gift fundraising (gifts of $10k+) 
  • Proven ability to lead the building and maintenance of a donor pipeline 
  • Previous experience with volunteer boards and committees is essential 
  • Experience with navigating research tools and maintaining donor management software (Blackbaud products e.g., Raiser’s Edge and GoFundMePro and iWave) 
  • Proficient with a variety of software programs (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Adobe Acrobat) 
  • Minimum CFRE designation would be considered an asset 

Skills Requirements: 

  • Focus on customer service 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills 
  • Proficiency in writing to varied audiences 
  • Attention to detail 
  • Time management and organizational skills 
  • Adherence to fundraising ethics and data privacy protocols 

Essential Responsibilities: 

To plan, organize, and implement major giving programs including: 

  • Work with the Vice President of Fundraising and Communications to build out a major gifts pipeline to meet individual fundraising goals including stretch goals. 
    • Set plans and processes for major gifts outreach 
    • Build and manage the major donor prospect list 
    • Ensure that information is being tracked on a timely basis and that progress toward goals is monitored
  • Identify and cultivate prospects for major gifts and bequests for the purpose of supporting programming and operations. Work with FARA leadership and Board to solicit such contributions.
    • Prepare research on each prospect to include giving history to FARA and other organizations, giving interests, FARA linkages, and capacity  
    • Based on research, recommend solicitation approach to FARA leadership/ Board and prepare background information for each visit and generate timely and thorough follow-up correspondence and reports 
    • Prepare major gift proposals in response to inquiries and/or cultivation of major donors and prospects 
    • Create and manage research/ outreach for a donor portfolio of 75-125 donors with the potential of making a major gift
    • Work with FARA leadership and Board to solicit and obtain major and planned gifts with donors through outreach such as calls, face-to-face meetings, and written follow-up (domestic travel required for face-to-face meetings) 
    • Ensure appropriate and timely donor acknowledgement and stewardship
    • Oversee the planned giving program, including solicitation of long-time donors for planned and estate gifts 
  • Manage staff and volunteer Development Working Group outreach and stewardship of potential major donors. 
      • Facilitate regular major gifts meeting with the VP Fundraising, the CEO, and members of the Development Working Group 
      • Schedule and facilitate weekly donor and prospect outreach with VP Fundraising, CEO and a select group of the Board for cultivation and solicitation purposes 
      • Provide timely reports to the VP Fundraising and the CEO to keep them updated on progress 
      • Work with staff responsible for gift processing and finance to ensure proper recording, allocation, documentation, acknowledgement, stewardship, and analysis of major gifts and pledges 

 Additional Responsibilities: 

  • Provide first-rate customer service as front-line client contact 
  • Ensure that all FARA stakeholders are communicated to in a clear, consistent and timely manner utilizing strong written and verbal communication skills 
  • Ability to represent FARA as a passionate and informed advocate through public appearances and presentations before groups and organizations interested in supporting FARA’s mission 
  • Ability to work independently and in a team setting 
  • Exhibit a strong work ethic and an energetic, communicative, collaborative, influential and diplomatic work style 
  • Attention to detail demonstrating accuracy and efficiency in word processing, data entry, and business correspondence 
  • Coordinate work activity efficiently, and check that work has been carried out to specification 
  • Demonstrate ability to learn and adapt to changing procedures, methods or processes 
  • Follow established organizational policies and procedures 

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

Additional Information: 

FARA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FARA shall not discriminate because of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, or religion. 

 Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. 

If employed by FARA, employees agree to accept and certify to abide by both FARA’s policies including Child Safekeeping Policy and FARA’s Code of Conduct at https://www.curefa.org/privacy-policy/.  

 FARA offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, life, long-term disability and paid family and medical leave benefits, plus a 401K retirement plan. Salary range $75,000-$90,000. Salary commensurate with experience. 

 

Job Type: Full-time  

Pay: $75,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year 

Benefits: 

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Vision insurance 

 

FARA is committed to safeguarding your privacy and data rights. You can read the FARA Privacy Policy for more information: https://www.curefa.org/privacy-policy/