Since 1991, the Vision of Children (VOC) Foundation has worked diligently to support research and projects focused on treating and eradicating genetic vision disorders. Prior to the organization’s inception, little was done to research or treat ocular albinism (OA1) and other related genetic vision disorders.
 
In the years since, VOC has funded research to identify the gene mutation responsible for OA1 and developed the first genetic test for OA to allow for prenatal diagnosis and carrier screening. Researchers around the world, from the United States to Belgium to Italy, are continuing to search for a cure to OA1 and have come to the final brink of reaching that goal. With gene markers identified and researchers in place, VOC aims to provide the necessary funding to complete this vital research. VOC-funded researchers are also preparing for FDA clinical trials for an eye drop that will treat childhood myopia and change the lives of hundreds of thousands of children. The Foundation also sponsors a number of other projects and initiatives with their flagship program, Vision Heroes, spotlighting children and families that have been affected by vision disorders.
 
The Vision of Children Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Diego, yet with far-reaching impact. Over the past two decades, VOC has funded groundbreaking research around the world and been a driving force in the quest to find a cure for genetically caused eye disorders.
 
The Opportunity: Director of Leadership Giving
 
After 20 years of groundbreaking research into childhood vision deficiencies and disorders, VOC is on the verge of reaching a cure that will restore vision to countless children throughout the world. There is a vital need for the funding that will push this research into its final stages, with a deep commitment to a final cure of OA1 soon.
 
The new Director is charged with forming donor relationships, nationwide and globally, that will propel the research toward a cure at a greater speed. The Director will work in an entrepreneurial environment and be able to operate as an individual contributor under broad supervision. The successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to clearly communicate the values and goals of VOC to potential donors, including individuals, corporations, and private foundations. S/he will also have a proven track record of successfully building a major/leadership gifts program, with an ultimate end-goal of securing significant gifts.
 
With the Foundation poised to begin its final push to eradicate this hereditary childhood disease, this position will work to provide the funding that researchers around the world need in order to reach a cure. This is the opportunity for a high energy and professional individual to be part of a mission-driven organization that is successfully curing childhood blindness.
 
Performance Objectives
 
Leadership and Fundraising Management

• Provide collaborative leadership in maintaining a positive and productive working relationship among the Board of Directors, donors and families.
• Develop and maintain respectful, positive, collaborative and impactful relationships with physicians, other colleagues, donors, prospects, the philanthropic community and other partners.
• Track all philanthropic revenue progress toward goals and any variances, and take action on new ventures that enhance progress towards goals.
• Monitor industry trends, strategy and best practices, including educating others and evaluating opportunities for continuous improvement. Act as a resource for current practice and strategy, particularly around current published materials on current industry trends.
• Play an integral part in advancing the role and importance of philanthropy within the organization’s overall culture.

 
 
Fund Development and Implementation

• Plan, develop and implement measurable objectives, strategies, budgets, funding strategies and timelines.
• Develop a prospect research, outreach and acquisition strategy that will identify the steps that will be taken to develop a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, including development of a case for support that documents funding needs in terms of real research costs, how dollars and research will impact people, and other philanthropic opportunities within the first six (6) months.
• Reestablish the Family Network outreach program to bring families experiencing vision disorders into the fold of the work VOC is doing within the first six (6) months.
• Develop, manage and lead one-to-one solicitation, gift acknowledgement and stewardship communication, traveling as necessary, establishing and maintaining excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including Board and Founding leadership as appropriate.
• Manage all office systems related to duties, including maintaining updated donor files and tracking spreadsheets, correspondence and gift acknowledgments, etc., in keeping with established policies and procedures. Document all donor interactions through contact reports and according to established business practices. Carry out any office and computer-related tasks important to fulfilling the goals of the position.
• Craft effective narratives based on target audience and present opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with VOC research funding needs.

 
Board and Community Relations

• Communicate effectively and promptly, with timely follow-up, with the Board of Directors.
• Provide the Board training, as necessary, on their philanthropy roles and responsibilities as a team partner to raising funds.
• Serve as an articulate, passionate and visible spokesperson for VOC and as a prominent face of fundraising throughout the general community and in the vision-related field.
• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of VOC and its mission.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
Vision of Children Foundation seeks an ambitious, high performing fundraiser, capable of courting donors with significant giving capacity and developing firm relationships within the current donor community and beyond. The ideal candidate will have proven success in major donor development, from identification, research, cultivation, solicitations and stewardship, with a preferred focus on medical and research philanthropy. S/he must also be effective working in an independent environment with little supervision.
 
With an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the cause, the qualified candidate will be charged with the task of building a leadership gift program for VOC. Outgoing and personable in character, and professional in appearance, this position will require comfort in developing strategies and personally conducting asks for 6 figure+ gifts and forming ongoing relationships with donors of this capacity.
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• Passion for the mission of VOC, with the ability to speak knowledgeably about the programs it operates and sponsors and the research that it funds.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in fundraising and major gifts, with a minimum of 3 or more years of experience specifically related to research or scientific endeavors.
• Ability and track record of working in an unstructured and loosely supervised environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and nurture long-term relationships between organizations and donors culminating in success of philanthropic goals.
• Proven ability to build strong external relationships with high profile donors.
• 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.
• Must have a car and be willing to travel (estimated at 15%, nationally) on a regular basis for meetings with donors, community relations and outreach, and fundraising events.
• A Bachelor’s degree is required or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in the sciences, or CFRE or other relevant advanced certification, is preferred.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. Relocation assistance is offered.  
The Vision of Children Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by the Alford Executive Search team of Heather A. Eddy, President and CEO, Dylan Tromblay, Search Associate, and Sue Bultman, Associate Consultant.
 
To apply, candidates should submit their cover letter and resume and complete the online application at https://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings or by clicking the link at the bottom of the page and thereon submit their cover letter and resume. No applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Dylan Tromblay at dtromblay@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
 
Alford Executive Search, a division of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES), is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the nonprofit community through professional staffing solutions.