Director, Foundation Relations

Position Summary

The Director, Foundation Relations will partner with the Associate VP and other team members to secure and grow Foundation support from local, national, and international sources. Works at the highest levels of the hospital, partnering with board members, senior administration, chiefs, scientists, and other faculty as appropriate. Designs and implements creative strategies and solutions to substantially grow foundation support. Develops and executes complex strategies to secure, cultivate, and steward large gifts.

Participates in short- and long-term planning related to foundations.

• Manages a portfolio of foundation prospects to cultivate, solicit, and close six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Conducts monthly faculty and prospect visits; drives all prospect activity using moves management principles; actively builds new relationships to expand pipeline.
• Develops annual operating plan for solicitations, revenue, and visits with AVP.
• Builds relationships with senior leadership, department chiefs, physician-scientists, researchers, and volunteers to match funding needs with prospects.
• Drafts, edits, and submits compelling grant proposals, reports, acknowledgements, and case materials, translating complex content into clear, persuasive language.
• Recruits and manages volunteer leaders to support cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Collaborates across teams (research, donor relations, annual giving, finance, communications, etc.) to ensure foundation prospects are strategically engaged and stewarded.
• Partners with Principal & Major Gifts team to align efforts and secure foundation support for hospital priorities.
• Maintains strong institutional awareness of research, clinical, teaching, and community health programs.
• Communicates key updates to Foundation team and tracks philanthropic trends and developments in healthcare.

• BA degree and at least 8 years of fundraising experience in a high-volume development setting.
• Experience in a science or healthcare organization preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing major funding from a broad portfolio of organizations.
• Strong analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills; computer proficiency.
• Ability to accurately and persuasively explain complex medical/scientific content.
• Skilled in influencing and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders.
• High productivity and attention to detail.
• Self-directed, responsive, and solution-oriented performer.