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, the Foundation expanded its influence by raising more than $800 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.

 

PROSPECT RESEARCH COORDINATOR

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is the largest nongovernmental foundation supporting retinal disease research in the world. Over the past four decades, the Foundation expanded its influence by raising more than $800 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 are seeking a dynamic, experienced and organized PROSPECT RESEARCH COORDINATOR to be part of our team, based in the Columbia, MD area. The ideal candidate will provide support for our Major Gifts team.

Responsibilities include:

  1. Proactively identify new and high-level annual and campaign major gift leads and prospects through electronic alerts, analysis, screening information, data mining techniques, push technology, demographic searches, etc.
  2. Prepare prospect reports for use by Major Gifts team members and serve as prospect tracking and record keeping processes lead.
  3. Maintain and analyze prospective and upgraded donor data and develops current and prospective donor lists and data. Produces current and prospective donor profiles and helps determine appropriate solicitation ranges.
  4. Lead list management of Major Gifts Team portfolios regarding movement of qualified/disqualified leads, treatment in database, communication streams, etc.
  5. Support Visionary Circle program by creating research documents on prospects, including donors up for renewal.
  6. Provides research support for Major Gifts work with high-level volunteer chairs such as campaign chair and board chair, identifies and refreshes connections in advance of volunteers assuming their leadership positions.
  7. Review and refresh prospect pool each campaign year adding leads and prospects with $5,000+ estimated capacity to major gift staff portfolios.
  8. Lead and conduct 3-4 intensive sessions per year with help from other development Team members to gather information on a pre-determined demographic group (Research Rodeos).
  9. Provide fund-raising support to the Vice President and Directors which might include correspondence, agendas and meeting minutes in working with national volunteer leaders, regional leaders, and leaders of the corporate/business, national foundations and board and trustee campaigns.
  10. Coordinate the workflow and prioritization of prospect research and research requests from the field. Ensure research information is accurately entered into the donor’s record.
  11. Partner with fundraisers to provide timely, accurate, and analytical information to inform the fundraising process. This specialized research is used as a basis for interaction among fundraisers for major donors and prospects.
  12. Implement the tools necessary to maintain an informative prospect pipeline that relates directly to the goals and targets of the Development team; and providing relevant and timely information and analysis to the major gift staff.
  13. Maintain and update prospect assignments in the database.
  14. Maintain the confidentiality of critical information related to donors and prospects.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • 5+ years administrative support experience
  • Maintain a high level of understanding and use of the database for major gift prospect tracking, and biographical information
  • Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical and research skills.
  • Fully proficient in conducting donor research, with experience in recognizing and assessing wealth indicators and giving capacity as well as identifying prospects
  • Experienced in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
  • Strong working knowledge of relational databases. Must be able to fully utilize the organizational database for accurate constituent data entry and retrieval of information and running reports
  • Experience in mail merge required
  • Must be organized and detail oriented
  • Must have excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment by effectively prioritizing workload
  • Ability to work independently as well as a team player
  • Must have excellent attendance and be accountable for quality of work
  • Ability to complete projects during peak periods is required, which may require overtime on occasion
  • Must possess valid driver’s license with driving record acceptable to Foundation Fighting Blindness insurance carrier
  • Occasional travel

Please send resume with salary requirements to HR@fightblindness.org. Please note – RESUMES WITHOUT SALARY REQUIREMENT STATED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits, as well as a terrific team to work with! The Foundation Fighting Blindness is an equal opportunity employer.

CHAPTER ENGAGEMENT ASSISTANT

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is the largest nongovernmental foundation
supporting retinal disease research in the world. Over the past four decades, the Foundation expanded its influence by raising more than $800 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 are seeking a dynamic, experienced and organized ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, CHAPTER ENGAGEMENT to be part of our team, based in the Columbia, MD area. The ideal candidate will provide support for our Director, Chapter Engagement as well as our Chapter Engagement Managers.


Responsibilities include:

  1. Provide support for Director and Managers, Chapter Engagement including
    correspondence, program logistics, database quality and constituent contact.
  2. Research, compile and verify a variety of information and analyze information for a variety of reports related to chapter membership and activities.
  3. Assist in coordination of multiple chapter activities and coordination of symposia.
  4. Coordinate schedules and meetings for guests and staff.
  5. Manage invitation responses, guest lists and mailing lists.
  6. Develop and design promotional materials such as invitations, posters and
    presentations.
  7. Research prospective symposia locations and funding resources, such as corporate, foundation and individual sponsors.
  8. Negotiate contracts with outside vendors, and maintain invoices and expenses
    based on Foundation accounting procedures.
  9. Communicate with other departments, and outside organizations to coordinate activities, exchange information and resolve issues or concerns.
  10. Ensure key deadlines are maintained in team calendars to ensure timely completion of projects and keep the team apprised of upcoming deadlines.
  11. Maintain excellent customer service and support with all volunteers, Foundation Board Members and Trustees, chapter leaders and donors.

The successful candidate will possess:

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • 4+ years’ experience as an assistant - non-profit experienced preferred
  • Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required
  • Strong knowledge and experienced with non-profit relational databases
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask
  • Able to lift up to 30 lbs.
  • Possess valid driver’s license with driving record acceptable to Foundation Fighting Blindness insurance carrier
  • Ability to work occasional overtime for completion of projects
  • Successful and demonstrated ability to work in a virtual environment and independently
  • Occasional travel is required

Please send resume with salary requirements to HR@fightblindness.org. Please note –RESUMES WITHOUT SALARY REQUIREMENT STATED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits, as well as a terrific team to work with! The Foundation Fighting Blindness is an equal opportunity employer.