Director, Philanthropy (Donor Relations)

The Grateful Giving and Donor Relations team is dedicated to advancing the mission of Philanthropy by operationalizing programs aimed at fostering a culture of philanthropy centered on our patients and their charitable contributions. At the forefront of MD Anderson’s grateful patients and donor relations endeavors, our team is entrusted with executing comprehensive strategies for donor recognition, stewardship, and engagement, tailored to meet the needs of donors, prospects, fundraisers, and institutional leadership.

The Grateful Giving Program collaborates closely with individuals and departments across MD Anderson to identify, support, and engage patients and their families who wish to contribute to the well-being of others through philanthropy. By offering opportunities for expressing gratitude and facilitating the healing process, this program plays a pivotal role in harnessing the altruistic spirit within our community.

The Donor Relations program assumes the responsibility of expressing gratitude, providing pertinent information, and acknowledging donors for their generous support. Our team spearheads various initiatives, including impact reporting, principal gift stewardship, recognition efforts, endowment management, compliance oversight, donor engagement activities, and the establishment of gift agreements.

The Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the development and execution of high-level stewardship strategies for transformational and principal gift donors. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the Office of the Chief Philanthropy Officer and the Principal Gifts and Strategic Initiatives team. The Director’s primary focus is to partner with Principal and Major Gift Officers, as well as Donor Relations colleagues, to design and deliver innovative and impactful donor engagement experiences. Additionally, this team member helps support donor relation strategies for the Chief Philanthropy Officer as well as the Associate Vice Presidents of Individual Giving and Principal Gifts and Strategic Initiatives.  As the lead of all principal gift level donor relations project direction and execution, this professional is an essential collaborative partner in executing strategic stewardship engagement tactics for the institution’s most prominent supporters.  These may include custom videos, impact reports, recognition strategies, and occasional personalized in-person experiences in partnership with the Special Programs and Events team.

Success in this role requires strong project management capabilities, exceptional organizational skills, and a solid understanding of endowments, gift compliance, and gift agreements. Familiarity with industry best practices in donor relations is essential.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Donor Relations, the Director is also responsible for coordinating, tracking, and producing donor impact reports in accordance with gift agreements. This work involves close collaboration with the Donor Communications team, gift officers and faculty stewards that are recipients of principal gifts. Additionally, the role requires partnership with the Institutional Affairs public relations and communications teams to develop compelling video content, coordinate photo opportunities, and support the notification, tracking and creation process of press releases for gifts at a certain threshold.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Project Management (55%)

Drive execution of strategic stewardship plans and lead decision making around stakeholder relationships, special projects and initiatives and the orchestration of strategic approaches to keep principal gift donors informed of their philanthropic investments. Continuously capture and collect significant data points related to stewardship activities, execute on deliverables with precision, develop actionable stewardship strategies and allocate appropriate donor relations resources to execute work functions. Serve as a coach, mentor and sponsor, enabling other donor relations team members to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment.

Provide strategic leadership and direction for developing, planning and implementing principal gift stewardship, in partnership with the Donor Communications team and Principal Gifts team, in accordance with executed gift agreements.   

Consultation with Critical Evaluation (35%)

Provide guidance to Principal Gifts Team utilizing subject matter expertise related to donor relations activities. Use critical evaluation skills to interpret information and make business decisions and recommendations to effectively steward principal gifts. Possess and use cross functional knowledge to understand interdepartmental connections and help other donor relations team members to make these associations.

Interpersonal Competence (10%)

Demonstrate leadership, professional assertiveness and relationship management in the donor relations space. Engage in two-way communication acknowledging input from the Principal Gifts Team; remove barriers to effective communication; remain sensitive to cultural considerations when communicating; allow others space to speak their perspective; surface and address conflict. Build and manage relationships that encourage collaboration by valuing others’ emotions, input, and curiosity.