Director of Philanthropy - Annual Giving

Summary

The Director of Philanthropy for Annual Giving will lead the strategy and execution of all annual fundraising initiatives for the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. This role is responsible for growing and scaling a comprehensive annual giving program that strengthens donor engagement, expands the Foundation’s regional reach, and advances Mary Free Bed’s mission and long-term goals.

The Director will manage a portfolio of mid-level donors and oversees fundraising efforts for donors giving under $10,000 through integrated direct mail, digital, and multichannel campaigns. This role leads team development, strategic planning, annual campaigns, direct response, and moves management, bringing a collaborative and entrepreneurial approach to continuous improvement and fundraising success.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy & Growth

• Leads the vision, strategy, and execution for all annual giving programs, including appeals, digital campaigns, recurring giving, and targeted initiatives.

• Designs and scales annual giving programs to increase donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade pathways, specifically around the grateful patient program.

• Translates organizational growth priorities into compelling annual fundraising strategies that support patient care, programs, and regional expansion.

• Uses data, benchmarking, and donor insights to test, refine, and grow campaigns year over year.

Donor Portfolio & Moves Management

• Manages and solicits a portfolio of mid-level donors, building meaningful relationships and advancing donors along the giving continuum.

• Oversees moves management strategies for donors under $10,000, ensuring clear pathways to deeper engagement and larger gifts.

• Partners closely with major gift and leadership giving colleagues to ensure seamless donor transitions and coordinated strategies.

Campaigns & Direct Response

• Leads the full lifecycle of direct and digital campaigns, including planning, segmentation, messaging, execution, and evaluation.

• Oversees direct mail, email, digital, and other direct response efforts, ensuring strong ROI and donor-centered messaging.

• Evaluates performance metrics and implement improvements to drive growth and efficiency.

Marketing & Communications Partnership

• Collaborates closely with the communications and marketing team to develop compelling, consistent messaging across all annual giving channels.

• Ensures donor communications clearly articulate impact, gratitude, and alignment with Mary Free Bed’s mission and patient outcomes.

Team Development & Leadership

• Leads, coaches, and develops staff and cross-functional partners involved in annual giving efforts.

• Builds scalable systems, processes, and playbooks that empower the team and support future growth.

• Fosters a culture of accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.

We’ll embrace all people by:

o Treating everyone with dignity and respect.

o Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.

o Growing talent and people.

o Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

o Taking action against discrimination.

o Honoring our differences and how we collaborate.

o Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for.

o Restoring hope and freedom, together.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 7+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong emphasis on annual giving and donor engagement.

• Proven success designing, executing, and scaling annual fundraising programs.

• Experience managing and soliciting a portfolio of annual and mid-level donors.

• Strong understanding of direct response fundraising, including direct mail and digital campaigns.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, track performance, and drive results.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Highly collaborative, self-directed, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare, hospital, or complex nonprofit environments.

• Experience leading or mentoring staff and cross-functional teams.

• Familiarity with CRM systems and fundraising analytics.

• Demonstrated success partnering with marketing and communications teams.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels:

None (No specific requirements)

Occasionally (Less than 1/3)

Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)

Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Majority

Traverse or move around work location: Occasionally

Use keyboard: Frequently

Operate or use department specific equipment: None

Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None

Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: None

Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Frequently

Transport, position, and/or exert force:

Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 25 pounds: None

Up to 50 pounds: None

Up to 75 pounds: None

More than 100 pounds: None

Other weight: Up to___ pounds _____

Other: _____

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@maryfreebed.com.

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.