Careers

The Foundation Fighting Blindness has one clear objective: accelerating research finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases. These diseases, which affect more than 10 million Americans and millions more throughout the world, often lead to severe vision loss or complete blindness.

Working with preeminent scientists, the Foundation has funded breakthroughs in gene therapy, stem cells and bionic retinas. Over the past five decades, the Foundation has raised more than $856 million to fund research studies in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

We are looking for talented and passionate individuals to join us in our mission. Learn more about the job opportunities that are currently available at the Foundation.

Major Gifts Officer (2 positions)

About the position: We currently have two Major Gifts Officer positions available (West Region and South Region). The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for the development of relationships and solicitation of transformation donors and prospects in their applicable region. They maintain and demonstrate a strong sense of collegiality and purpose within their day-to-day. Qualified candidates will have recognized knowledge in all key areas of development including, but not limited, to individual and planned giving, annual giving, and foundation relations.

Position specifics:

Work-from-home position, reporting to the VP, Development
Full-time, Exempt, some nights and weekends required
Internet access is required; Technology allowance provided
Travel up to 25%

Essential Responsibilities Include:

Forging positive effective relationships internally and externally with a wide-ranging assortment of individuals, boards, volunteers, donors, external partners, and the communities at large.
Managing a portfolio of 125+ major gift prospects from all constituent groups (private foundations, corporate foundations and individual donors) with a focus on sustaining and growing current funder relationships and building new donor relationships.
Commitment to proactive personalized fundraising, including regular face-to-face donor meetings, and building outstanding one-on-one relationships, Assuring the team maintains a donor retention rate of at least 80% and has at least 120 visits per year.
Overseeing a comprehensive stewardship effort to recognize and thank FFB donor base, with a focus on donor retention and supporting sustaining funding.
Drive for Results – steadfastly pushing self and others for results.; with a focus on bottom-line results.
Using key metrics to achieve higher retention rates and donor satisfaction. Monitoring and managing opportunities and new trends with technology and data analysis; Tracking metrics to assess current engagement and activity of donors to determine which efforts have the greatest business impact; Using wealth screening and other research information to develop strategies and build the portfolio.
Responsibility for budgets, forecasts and projects, as well as accurate and timely plans, consistent with the strategic plan.
Collaborating with peers across the organization to acquire and coordinate resources,
Learning the science and presenting science proposals to donors, and continually follow updates.

The successful candidate will have:

3+ years successful record in the management of a major or special gifts program which includes identification, solicitation, and stewardship of high-level donors
Demonstrated abilities to partner successfully with staff, board, volunteers, high level donors and regional staff in creating new giving opportunities; Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently
Strong fundraising ethics; with discernible respect for confidentiality of donor information
History of 5- and 6-figure personally solicited individual gifts; experience working on 7-figure gift strategies
Interest in making a significant contribution to a recognized world class health and science leadership organization.
Excellent people skills with effective verbal and written communication abilities.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Expert experience with databases holding donor records and historical gift information
Initiative-taking, enthusiastic and have strong follow-up skills
Fully proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
Ability to work flexible week
Valid driver’s license with driving record acceptable to FFB insurance carrier
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID; requires documentation of vaccinations

To apply: Please send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to HR@fightblindness.org. Please provide examples of personally solicited individual gift achievements.

We are one team collectively committed to driving research until the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases is eradicated. We offer a competitive salary and benefits, as well as an incredibly dynamic team to work with! The Foundation Fighting Blindness is an equal opportunity employer.

RD Fund Paid Internship

Internship Summary:

Paid: $26.45/hr.
12 weeks: open to fall or spring timeframe
15–30 hours per week
Home-based position. Daily Internet access and usage required. Monthly technology stipend ($120) provided.
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID and requires documentation of vaccinations

About the organization: The RD Fund (Retinal Degeneration Fund) is the not-for-profit venture arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The Foundation has one clear objective: accelerating therapeutic advances for the treatments and cures of rare genetic diseases of the retina. These diseases, which affect more than 10 million Americans and millions more throughout the world, often lead to severe vision loss or complete blindness. Working with preeminent scientists, The Foundation has funded breakthroughs including in genetic medicine such as gene therapy. Over the past four decades, The Foundation has raised more than $850 million to fund research studies in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

The RD Fund focuses on mission-related investments in companies with projects nearing clinical testing. The RD Fund provides equity and non-dilutive financing strategies for start-up and early-stage companies, with the freedom to create companies and to lead their financing.

About the Internship: The primary role of the RD Fund Intern is to participate in the financial and operational due diligence process for existing portfolio companies and for new investment opportunities. This 12-week program applies ingenuity, creativity, and analytical skills in identifying and evaluating new investment opportunities and portfolio assessment. Depending on the interests and experience of the candidate, diligence may include but not limited to scientific or technology assessment, market research, clinical assessment, valuation, and financial modeling. The intern will report to RD Fund’s Managing Director.

Responsibilities include:

Assisting with the identification, and development of investment opportunities.
Conduct financial and operational due diligence for ongoing business opportunities
Coordinate and participate in meetings, draft agendas, and recaps
Closely track market trends and share newsworthy headlines
Coordinate weekly update notes that track progress of various workstreams

Qualifications: An advanced degree or currently pursuing an advanced degree (MD, PhD, or MS)

Biotechnology understanding and experience
Proven financial/business analytical skills
General understanding of the current industry trends and competitive landscape
Entrepreneurial and self-starting, able to handle multiple projects simultaneously
Strong written and verbal skills with a proficiency in Microsoft Office

For consideration: Please provide a brief cover letter explaining your interest in venture philanthropy as it relates to, for example, genetic medicines applied to retinal disease.

Send resume with cover letter to HR@fightingblindness.org.

Development Administrative Assistant

We are currently seeking a skilled and capable Development Administrative Assistant who will provide top notch clerical and operational support for 2 to 5 Major Gifts Officers and assist in the day-to-day activities of the Major Gifts department.

Position specifics:

Primarily a work-from-home position, with intermittent work in the Columbia, MD Office.
Reporting to the SVP/Chief Development Officer
Full-time, non-exempt (overtime eligible)
Primarily M-F. Flexible Schedule: Some evenings and weekends required.
Internet access is required; Technology allowance provided

Primary Responsibilities:
The following are meant to be illustrative of the work and not meant to be an all-inclusive list:

Calendar management and scheduling internal and external meetings, as necessary.
Organize and participate in fundraising-related meetings (meeting invites, minutes, etc.).
Assist in the coordination of mailings for major gift cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations.
Review correspondence, gift acknowledgments, proposals, and printed materials for accuracy and clarity.
In collaboration with the Major Gift Officers, develop and design promotional materials such as invitations and presentations.
Track and oversee key deadlines: communicating with team of upcoming deadlines and maintaining within calendars.
Assist in the identification and light research of prospects for major gift outreach.
Capture latest information regarding donor’s interests, relationships, life events, and capacity for philanthropic giving; enter into the donor’s database record.
Enter contact reports for the Executive and Senior Leadership teams as required.
Perform data clean-up projects as assigned.
Review weekly reports to ensure major gifts are recorded accurately and proposal stages are up to date.
Provide back-up support to other Foundation admin staff
Learn and stay current on all the Foundation’s programs, projects, and Science Education; and effectively communicate the mission and relevant activities to donors.

Requirements:

2+ years administrative experience in non-profit, supporting a development team preferred.
Must be organized and meticulous. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint); Experience in mail merge required
Ability to work independently as well as a collaborator
Reliable and be accountable for quality of work
Ability to work flexible work week; willingness and ability to travel for meetings or conferences on occasion
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID; requires documentation of vaccinations

To apply:
Please send resume with a brief cover letter to HR@fightblindness.org