Careers

At the Foundation Fighting Blindness, our employees are true beacons of hope as they are committed to our urgent mission to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is the largest nongovernmental foundation supporting retinal disease research in the world. Over the past four decades, FFB expanded its influence by raising more than $760 million to fund thousands of research studies at prominent institutions worldwide, attracting and investing in the first generation of clinicians and scientists focused on retinal disease research. We have regional offices in New York NY, Columbia MD, Chicago IL, Raleigh NC and Santa Monica CA.

We are looking for talented and passionate individuals to join us in the search to find preventions, treatments, and cures for inherited retinal degenerative diseases. Learn more about the job opportunities that are currently available at the Foundation.

DIRECTOR, PHILANTHROPY (MID-ATLANTIC REGION)

Company Summary: The Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc. 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 in gene therapy, stem cells and bionic retinas. Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation has raised more than $760 million to fund research studies in both academic and industry labs worldwide. We have regional offices in Columbia MD, New York NY, Chicago IL, Raleigh NC and Los Angeles CA.

Position Summary: We are currently seeking a Director, Philanthropy for our Mid-Atlantic Region who will be responsible for the development of relationships and solicitation of major donors and prospects. The Director, Philanthropy plays a critical role in the expansion of our fundraising program by focusing on individual gifts at major giving levels and corporate support.

The position is responsible for areas of strategy, measurement and evaluation, and effective philanthropic practices, and reports to the Vice President, Development.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Oversee the region’s strategies, building on course of activities as appropriate, utilizing the development team and volunteers at all levels
Ensure that strategies are clearly communicated to all relevant audiences and serve as an internal resource
Focus on the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a portfolio of 150 major donors
Responsible for closing individual gifts and corporate support at the $25k-$1million level
Commitment to personalized fundraising, including regular face-to-face donor meetings, and outstanding one-on-one relationship-building skills. Maintain a donor retention rate of at least 80%
Present funding opportunities to donors/prospects in support of the mission. Engage, ask and close through a minimum of 80 visits per year
Oversee management of major gift portfolios assigned to development staff in the region. This includes oversight of identifying and qualifying prospects, cultivating the relationships, soliciting and closing gifts and providing stewardship in those relationships
Set priorities, mentor staff and volunteers and serve as a collaborative leader. In this context, serve as key liaison to volunteer leadership across the region, maximizing the potential to further engage volunteers in identifying and soliciting major gifts prospects
Provide ongoing high-level science reviews to send, have frequent interaction with donors, prospects, volunteers and trustees through personal visits and other direct and indirect touchpoints such as phone, e-mail, and other correspondence
Responsible for budgets, forecasts and projects, as well as accurate and timely plans, consistent with the strategic plan
Work in collaboration with staff and volunteers to provide integrated levels of support and interaction with donors and volunteer leadership
Utilize wealth screening and other research information to develop strategies and build the portfolio
Maximize the utilization of fundraising events, including private house parties, receptions, and fundraisers
Develop, support and grow volunteer chapters whose primary objectives are outreach and education for chapter membership, raising money through special events, sponsorship partnerships, individual giving programs, and membership expansion
Recruit, and motivate new and existing chapter volunteers to maximize their potential in assisting the development operations to identify new prospects and solicit major gifts
Working with other FFB staff, participate in the development of regional and fundraising activities that support volunteer development, training and participation
Have a knowledge of the Planned Giving Program and collaborate with the Vice President, Development and the Director, Legacy Giving

The successful candidate will possess:

Bachelor’s degree required
10+ years successful track record in the management of a major or special gifts program which includes identification, solicitation and stewardship of high-level donors
Demonstrated examples of ability to collaborate, motivate and lead as well as partner successfully with staff, board, volunteers, high level donors and regional staff in creating new giving opportunities
Strong sense of fundraising ethics and respect for confidentiality of donor information
Track record 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.
A deep commitment to the values of the organization and a passion for the mission
Must have strong leadership and management skills to mentor and empower regional staff
Must have excellent interpersonal and strong verbal and written communication skills
Must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to handle multiple projects
simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
A team player with an ability to work independently is required
Understand and utilize the database that contains donor records and historical gift information
Must be proactive, enthusiastic and have strong follow-up skills
Fully proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
Experienced with relational databases
Must be able to work flexible week
Up to 30% travel required
Must possess valid driver’s license with driving record acceptable to the Foundation insurance carrier

Please send resume with salary requirements to HR@fightblindness.org. We offer a competitive salary and benefits,

DIRECTOR, PHILANTHROPY (NORTHEAST REGION)

Company Summary: The Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc. 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 in gene therapy, stem cells and bionic retinas. Over the past four decades, the Foundation has raised more than $760 million to fund research studies in both academic and industry labs worldwide. We have regional offices in Columbia MD, New York NY, Chicago IL, Raleigh NC and Los Angeles CA.

Position Summary: We are currently seeking a Director, Philanthropy for our Northeast Region who will be responsible for the development of relationships and solicitation of major donors and prospects. The Director, Philanthropy plays a critical role in the expansion of our fundraising program by focusing on individual gifts at major giving levels and corporate support. The position is responsible for areas of strategy, measurement and evaluation, and effective philanthropic practices and reports to the Vice President, Development.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Oversee the region’s strategies, building on course of activities as appropriate, utilizing the development team and volunteers at all levels
Ensure that strategies are clearly communicated to all relevant audiences and serve as an internal resource
Focus on the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a portfolio of 150 major donors
Responsible for closing individual gifts and corporate support at the $25k-$1million level
Commitment to personalized fundraising, including regular face-to-face donor meetings, and outstanding one-on-one relationship-building skills. Maintain a donor retention rate of at least 80%
Present funding opportunities to donors/prospects in support of the mission. Engage, askand close through a minimum of 80 visits per year
Oversee management of major gift portfolios assigned to development staff in the region. This includes oversight of identifying and qualifying prospects, cultivating the relationships, soliciting and closing gifts and providing stewardship in those relationships
Set priorities, mentor staff and volunteers and serve as a collaborative leader. In this context, serve as key liaison to volunteer leadership across the region, maximizing the potential to further engage volunteers in identifying and soliciting major gifts prospects
Provide ongoing high-level science reviews to send, have frequent interaction with donors, prospects, volunteers and trustees through personal visits and other direct and indirect touchpoints such as phone, e-mail, and other correspondence
Responsible for budgets, forecasts and projects, as well as accurate and timely plans, consistent with the strategic plan
Work in collaboration with staff and volunteers to provide integrated levels of support and interaction with donors and volunteer leadership
Utilize wealth screening and other research information to develop strategies and build the portfolio
Maximize the utilization of fundraising events, including private house parties, receptions, and fundraisers
Develop, support and grow volunteer chapters whose primary objectives are outreach and education for chapter membership, raising money through special events, sponsorship partnerships, individual giving programs, and membership expansion
Recruit, and motivate new and existing chapter volunteers to maximize their potential in assisting the development operations to identify new prospects and solicit major gifts
Working with other FFB staff, participate in the development of regional and fundraising activities that support volunteer development, training and participation
Have a knowledge of the Planned Giving Program and collaborate with the Vice President, Development and the Director, Legacy Giving

The successful candidate will possess:

Bachelor’s degree required
10+ years successful track record in the management of a major or special gifts program which includes identification, solicitation and stewardship of high-level donors
Demonstrated examples of ability to collaborate, motivate and lead as well as partner successfully with staff, board, volunteers, high level donors and regional staff in creating new giving opportunities
Strong sense of fundraising ethics and respect for confidentiality of donor information
Track record 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.
A deep commitment to the values of the organization and a passion for the mission
Must have strong leadership and management skills to mentor and empower regional staff
Must have excellent interpersonal and strong verbal and written communication skills
Must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to handle multiple projects
simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
A team player with an ability to work independently is required
Understand and utilize the database that contains donor records and historical gift
information
Must be proactive, enthusiastic and have strong follow-up skills
Fully proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
Experienced with relational databases
Must be able to work flexible week
Up to 30% travel required
Must possess valid driver’s license with driving record acceptable to FFB insurance carrier

Please send resume with salary requirements to HR@fightblindness.org. We offer a
competitive salary and benefits, as well as a terrific team to work with! FFB is an equal
opportunity employer.