Director of Leadership Giving
 Opportunity Guide
 
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/
 
 
Kennedy Krieger Institute is an internationally recognized institution dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with pediatric developmental disabilities and disorders of the brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal system, through patient care, special education, research, and professional training.
 

AN ORIGINAL VISION

• Work closely with the Executive VP to explore existing relationships and identify an active portfolio of 100 potential donors who could be engaged or cultivated to higher levels of involvement and support.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward major and leadership donors for Kennedy Krieger Institute medical research funding priorities.
• Determine the best person/team to manage individual engagement. Serve as a lead, or drive other stakeholders’ activities as will best serve and advance individuals’ relationships with Kennedy Krieger Institute. This individual will travel as necessary, establishing and maintaining excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including Kennedy Krieger Institute colleagues and/or volunteer leadership as appropriate.
• Cultivate long-term relationships to encourage continued and increased funding and to broaden and deepen relationships with funders.
• Nurture partnerships and relationships with current and prospective funders through donor recognition programs and stewardship, including stewardship events.

• Work in collaboration with professional colleagues and stakeholders to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities (cases for support) that documents funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, actual or potential outcomes, shortfalls and exciting philanthropic opportunities.
• Craft effective narratives based on target audience and present opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with Kennedy Krieger Institute research funding needs.
• Conduct research on current and prospective donors and record data in Raiser’s Edge as part of the individual’s donor record.
• Keep management apprised of all significant interactions, inputting contact reports to the database system as required, sharing a continually updated itinerary, fulfilling all monthly activity and other reporting requirements, and consulting with leadership when necessary to understand organizational priorities, develop strategies that benefit both donor and Kennedy Krieger Institute, and troubleshoot challenging situations.
• Document all donor interactions and according to best practices; carry out any office and computer-related tasks important to fulfilling the goals of the position.

• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of Kennedy Krieger Institute and its mission.
• Work with and provide training for Kennedy Krieger Institute’s volunteers and staff team to enhance major gift fundraising activities and an overall culture of philanthropy, as well as solicit and close major gifts in support of medical research.
• Create and implement a plan to identify and build strong relationships with key donors, community leaders and volunteers, and engage organizations with which Kennedy Krieger Institute could partner.

• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in Development with a minimum of three or more years of experience focused on in Individual Giving/Major Gifts specifically related to research or scientific endeavors.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to the mission of Kennedy Krieger Institute.
• Proven ability to identify and build strong external relationships with a variety of volunteers, public leadership, partner organizations and other stakeholders.
• Track record of success in meeting and exceeding fundraising goals, including demonstrated experience with securing major, high-value gifts from individuals.
• Track record in developing and implementing targeted fundraising strategies to successfully increase revenue.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate internally and externally to facilitate leadership and support for major fundraising initiatives and events.
• Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and nurture long-term relationships between organizations and donors culminating in success of philanthropic goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to serve as an advocate/spokesperson for the organization and successfully tailor communications to audiences.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to accept feedback and provide coaching and support to others in order to ensure the fulfillment of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s mission.
• A strong attention to detail, metrics and reporting.
• Ability to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles to success.
• Proficient in the use Microsoft Office Suite products; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or similar donor constituent software is required.
• Ability to travel. Anticipated travel is 10-20%.
• A Bachelor’s degree is required or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in the sciences, or CFRE or other relevant advanced certification is preferred.