Chief Development Officer

BACKGROUND

Since 1976, The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has been dedicated to serving all people with dystonia and their families. As many as 250,000 Americans are afflicted with this neurological movement disorder that causes excessive, involuntary muscle contractions and can affect any region of the body with varying degrees of disability and pain.  Although treatments exist, dystonia remains a chronic disorder for which there is not yet a cure. Dystonia affects adults and children and presents in many forms.

The mission of the DMRF is to advance research for more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for dystonia, to promote awareness and education and to support the well-being of dystonia affected individuals and families.

The DMRF is a dynamic membership-driven organization, led by a Board of Directors and network of national volunteers with personal connections to dystonia.  Membership of the DMRF is comprised of individuals living with all forms of dystonia, their friends and families, donors, healthcare professionals, and researchers.  Based in downtown Chicago, this $3 million Foundation is led by a long-standing executive director with 10 staff members.

The DMRF holds the top 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a strategic and operational leader who is responsible for all aspects of the fund development activities of DMRF including but not limited to major and individual giving, special events, planned giving, and corporate and foundation giving.  The CDO will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve ambitious revenue goals to support the important work of the DMRF.  The CDO will be responsible for cultivating strong relationships with key donors and stakeholders to achieve annual revenue goals.

The CDO will report to the DMRF Executive Director, serve on the leadership team as the second in command and manage the development of the department’s staff person and outside vendors. The CDO will have one full-time direct report and work collegially with the full DMRF to achieve fundraising goals.  The CDO will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Vice President of Development to support their fund development efforts and will staff the Development Committee.

The position is located at DMRF’s downtown Chicago office and can be a hybrid of in-person and virtual work.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan aligned with the organization’s strategic goals, identifying key donor segments and prioritizing fundraising initiatives.
• Manage the development team, including setting goals, mentoring staff, overseeing performance and monitoring progress to goals.
• Collaborate with senior management to integrate fund development strategies across all programs.
• Monitor and provide analysis of progress toward approved goals.
• Monitor the accurate tracking and acknowledgement of gifts, prospect gifts, board member contacts, donor reports, and oversee the monthly reconciliation of development records to financial records.
• Work with the Director of Finance to monitor the charitable watch dog agencies ratings of the DMRF.
• Serve as the second in command to the Executive Director.

Major Giving

• Identify, cultivate and solicit high-level donors through personalized outreach, building strong relationships and understanding their philanthropic interests and motivation to support the DMRF.
• Manage the engagement of Members of the DMRF Board in developing and stewarding relationships with major donors. This may include the development of resources utilized in donor outreach.

Individual Giving

• Develop and execute strategies and solicitations to maximize individual giving revenue through direct mail, email and on-line appeals, membership and donor stewardship activities.
• Oversee donor retention and cultivation efforts to foster long-term relationships with donors.

Planned Giving

• Lead the development and execution of a planned giving program including the growth of the DMRF Legacy Society.
• Establish strong relationships with legal and financial advisors to facilitate planned giving opportunities.

Foundation and Corporate Giving

• Identify and cultivate relationships with corporate and foundation funders
• Develop compelling proposals using the program catalog outlining funding opportunities.
• Establish and maintain a reporting and application schedule to comply with all giving requirements.
• Develop and maintain corporate partnerships, including sponsorships and employee giving campaigns.

Special Events

• Work with event organizers to develop and implement the plan to achieve financial goals for approved events. This may include providing staff support to selected events.
• Work with the Development Team to assess opportunities coming to the Foundation from the community.
• Work with the Communications Team to develop and monitor a promotional plan for all events.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Responsible for forecasting and obtaining annual revenue and expenses goals.

Communications

• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization on occasion.
• Work with marketing to plan and implement development communications in electronic and print format

Candidate Qualifications:

Education

A bachelor’s degree is required, Master’s degree in non-profit management or related field preferred.

Experience

The CDO will have 10+ years of successful experience as a development professional, will have utilized an array of fund development techniques, and will have demonstrated progressive fund development results.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in major gifts fundraising and moves management experience
• Enthusiasm and dedication
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills
• Demonstrates empathy and understanding for those affected by the disorder and able to discuss current state of research and clinical approaches
• Resourceful and strategic in utilizing an array of fundraising techniques
• Experience managing staff and volunteers
• Team player can successfully manage direct and indirect reports in a small office environment
• Fosters an environment of cooperation and collaboration
• Proficient in CRM software and data analytics
• Candidates must be able to travel.

SEARCH PROCESS

The search for the Chief Development Officer of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is being conducted by Tuft & Associates.  Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: Gail Luxenberg, c/o cbabjak@tuftassoc.com