The Mid-Atlantic Regional Fundraising Director is responsible for generating philanthropic support for Chai Lifeline throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, with a strong emphasis on major gifts, donor cultivation, new donor acquisition, and relationship building.
This is a highly relationship-driven and results-oriented fundraising position. The successful candidate will spend significant time meeting with donors and prospects, developing relationships, making solicitations, identifying new fundraising opportunities, and converting relationships into meaningful philanthropic support for Chai Lifeline.
Working closely with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and Chai Lifeline’s Development leadership, the Fundraising Director will manage an active portfolio of donors and prospects and will be accountable for achieving established annual fundraising goals and performance milestones.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Major Gifts & Individual Fundraising
- Manage and actively develop a portfolio of current donors and qualified prospects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with the goal of securing significant philanthropic gifts.
- Maintain an active schedule of face-to-face donor and prospect meetings.
- Identify and qualify new major-gift prospects through referrals, community relationships, research, events, and networking.
- Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation plans for priority donors and prospects.
- Make direct gift solicitations and appropriately follow up on outstanding asks and commitments.
- Increase giving from existing donors through thoughtful cultivation and stewardship.
- Develop opportunities for major gifts, multi-year commitments, program sponsorships, and other significant philanthropic support.
New Donor Development
- Proactively identify and develop relationships with individuals and families who are not currently significant Chai Lifeline donors.
- Build a consistent pipeline of qualified prospects throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
- Leverage existing donors, lay leaders, community members, and professional relationships to generate introductions to new prospects.
- Attend appropriate community gatherings and networking opportunities to expand Chai Lifeline’s relationships and visibility.
- Convert new relationships into engaged supporters and long-term donors.
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
- Develop meaningful, long-term relationships with donors by connecting them to Chai Lifeline’s mission and impact.
- Maintain regular and personalized communication with donors and prospects.
- Create opportunities for donors to experience and better understand Chai Lifeline’s programs and services.
- Work with program and Development staff to provide donors with appropriate updates, impact information, proposals, and stewardship.
- Ensure donors are appropriately thanked, recognized, and engaged following their gifts.
Community & Lay Leadership Relationships
- Develop strong relationships with community leaders, lay leaders, rabbis, professionals, volunteers, and other individuals who can help expand Chai Lifeline’s donor network.
- Engage lay leaders in opening doors and introducing Chai Lifeline to prospective donors.
- Cultivate relationships with emerging and next-generation donors, including Young Leadership prospects.
- Represent Chai Lifeline professionally at community events, donor gatherings, and other appropriate opportunities.
Fundraising Events & Campaigns
- Utilize Chai Lifeline events and campaigns as opportunities to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
- Secure sponsorships and significant gifts connected to regional fundraising events and initiatives.
- Identify potential event hosts, sponsors, committee members, and major donors.
- Conduct appropriate donor follow-up before and after events to maximize fundraising opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and Development team on regional fundraising initiatives.
Fundraising Accountability & Reporting
- Achieve established annual fundraising goals and performance milestones.
- Maintain an active and measurable pipeline of donor prospects and solicitations.
- Provide regular updates regarding donor activity, pending solicitations, projected gifts, and fundraising opportunities.
- Maintain accurate and timely donor records, meeting notes, follow-up activities, and cultivation plans in Salesforce.
- Track progress against fundraising goals and proactively address potential shortfalls.
- Coordinate donor relationships and solicitations with regional and national Development leadership to avoid duplication and maximize opportunities.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree required; degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Public Relations, or a related field preferred
Expericence:
- Minimum of 5 years of successful fundraising, major-gifts, development, sales, or comparable relationship-management experience.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships and successfully solicit significant financial commitments.
- Experience working with high-net-worth individuals strongly preferred.
- Existing relationships within or strong familiarity with the Mid-Atlantic Jewish philanthropic communities is highly desirable.
- Experience with Salesforce or another donor CRM system is preferred.
Professional Skills:
- Passion for Chai Lifeline’s mission and a strong desire to positively impact children and families facing serious illness.
- Natural relationship builder who enjoys meeting people and developing meaningful connections.
- Strong ability and willingness to ask for significant financial gifts.
- Highly motivated, persistent, and results-oriented.
- Comfortable being held accountable to clearly established fundraising goals.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to build trust with high-net-worth donors and community leaders.
- Strong follow-through and attention to detail.
- Entrepreneurial approach to identifying new donors and fundraising opportunities.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the broader Chai Lifeline team.
- High degree of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and sound judgment.
- Availability for donor meetings and events during evenings and weekends as needed.
- Ability to travel throughout the region and occasionally nationally.
SCHEDULE:
LOCATION:
