Director, Individual Giving

ABOUT BCRF

Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Every diagnosis is unique and puts lives  must stop breast cancer in its tracks, and research is the answer. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in a wide range of research—including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and metastasis—because each area of investigation informs another, propelling us toward the solutions we urgently need.

We convene and connect the best minds in science—giving them the opportunity to pursue their most innovative ideas. Our combination of investment and cross‑disciplinary collaboration accelerates the entire field and builds momentum for new discoveries. BCRF‑funded investigators have been behind every major breakthrough in breast cancer research, and the field is moving faster than ever. We are fueling the world’s most promising research and we can’t stop now.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is seeking a strategic and donor‑focused Director, Individual Giving to build and lead a growing, multi‑channel annual giving program. This new position will develop strategies to engage, retain, and upgrade donors giving up to $24,999 annually, with an emphasis on retention, personalization, and building a sustainable pipeline to mid‑ and major gifts.

This role reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and supervises the Manager, Development. The Director will work cross‑functionally with the Marketing & Communications team, as well as with the Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Events, and Database & Donor Services teams and an external digital fundraising agency to align efforts across fundraising channels.

This position is based in New York, New York. BCRF currently requires staff to work onsite for a minimum of three days per week.

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive mid‑level giving program and strategy for donors contributing up to $24,999, including segmented appeals, solicitations, and society‑level engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications and external digital agency partners on the overall strategy, including a fundraising calendar that integrates direct mail, digital, and stewardship touchpoints.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual donors with personalized outreach and an eye towards prospects who may grow into Major Gift, Planned Giving, and Special Campaign donors.
• Set and monitor program KPIs for revenue, participation, retention, and donor movement.
• Analyze donor giving patterns to guide segmentation, inform donor journeys, and improve retention and upgrade efforts.
• Develop and implement strategies to convert annual donors into monthly sustainers and to identify prospects for major or planned giving portfolios.
• Supervise the Manager, Development, providing strategic guidance, professional development, and support to ensure high‑quality and timely execution of responsibilities which include:
  • Direct mail appeals and digital fundraising agency list coordination
  • Oversight of workplace giving campaigns and matching gift processes
  • Fundraising from mid‑level donors
  • Weekly review of qualification gift reports
  • Oversight of campaign and planned giving interest tracking
  • Returned mail processing
  • Management of tribute acknowledgments and ~7,000 annual donor acknowledgment letters
• Oversee processes for tribute, matching gift, and workplace giving donors in collaboration with the Database & Donor Services team.
• Ensure timely and accurate donor acknowledgment processes with appropriate personalization for mid‑level supporters.
• Support the implementation of moving to a batching and caging service.
• Serve as a liaison between Development, Marketing & Communications, and external digital fundraising agency to ensure cohesive, integrated, multi‑channel fundraising campaigns.
• Partner with the Database & Donor Services teams to ensure segmentation, source tracking, coding, and ROI analysis are optimized.
• Collaborate closely with Major Gifts and Planned Giving teams to align donor…