VP, National Advancement & Volunteer Engagement

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-fueled organization whose mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the quality of life for the children and adults affected by these diseases. Our work is dramatically accelerating the research process through our varied research initiatives; we also provide extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public. In addition, we lead federal and state-based advocacy campaigns to support medical research funding and improve patient access to care. The Foundation’s core values of compassion, integrity, leadership, collaboration, and inclusion inspire and drive every member of our highly performing team.

Position Summary:

The Vice President, National Advancement & Volunteer Engagement (VP) leads the Foundation’s major gifts program, developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors while building a sustainable, growth-oriented pipeline. The VP provides strategic direction, leadership, and mentorship to the major gifts team and fosters a collaborative, collegial, and innovative culture. In partnership with field leadership, the VP guides donor cultivation and solicitation efforts and works closely with the Vice President, National Advancement & Foundation Relations.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, visionary senior leader with demonstrated success in health-related nonprofit organizations and the ability to increase prospect engagement and drive substantial revenue growth.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Lead and inspire a high-performing major gifts team through clear goals, strategic staffing and development, transparent communication, coaching, and accountability.
• Strategic Planning: Partner with executive and field leadership to establish annual revenue goals, translate mission priorities into compelling giving opportunities, and develop long-term fundraising strategies.
• CEO Partnership and Donor Engagement: Work closely with the CEO to strategically plan, prepare and support the CEO with respect to high-level donor meetings and solicitations - tailored donor briefings, relationship histories, meeting objectives, recommended roles, key messages, solicitation strategies, and follow-up actions
• Donor Portfolio: Manage a personal portfolio of 20–30 high-value prospects capable of making six- and seven-figure or transformational gifts.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Develop and manage major gifts budget, revenue forecasts, and resource plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build strong partnerships with field, events, marketing, and mission teams to align donor strategy, messaging, and engagement.
• Training and Development: Implement ongoing training that equips major gifts staff with current mission knowledge and the tools to engage prospects and convert them into donors.
• Performance and Analytics: Track KPIs and additional metrics in Salesforce and lead data analysis to inform fundraising decisions and program evolution.
• Board Engagement: Partner with field leadership to strengthen board philanthropy and engagement in chapter major gift fundraising; oversee National Board of Trustees Advancement sub-committee.

Volunteer Engagement

• Build a compelling vision for growth and collaborate with volunteer leaders and staff to achieve it.
• Work with leadership volunteers to identify, recruit and engage volunteers who have potential to make an impact.
• Build strong and effective partnerships with volunteers and supporters and help foster a culture of accountability.
• Partner with and support volunteer committees to drive success in campaigns and grow support for our mission.
• Serve as a key leader in your market area building relationships, raising awareness, and sharing mission impact with constituents.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required; master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive nonprofit development or executive fundraising experience, including experience in a health-related nonprofit and at least five years in major gifts.
• Proven success personally securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience partnering with C-suite executives to prepare and support donor solicitations.
• At least five years of executive leadership experience managing, mentoring, and building high-performing major gifts teams.
• Strong executive presence, emotional intelligence, and ability to engage, inspire, and build trust with high-net-worth individuals and C-suite leaders.
• Experience partnering with volunteers on major gift work
• Experience designing and launching fundraising initiatives and campaigns with proven impact
• Ability to analyze donor data, evaluate performance metrics, forecast revenue, and develop comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• High proficiency with donor management databases and customer relationship management systems.
• Results orientation and accountability.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Adaptability in a growing organization and an evolving major gifts program.
• Strong influence, relationship-management, and change-management skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive communicator as well as persuasive proposal and report writing.
• Strong problem-solving, time-management, and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Capacity to acquire an understanding of IBD, as well as issues of concern to Crohn’s and Colitis patients and their families.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and related technology; experience with project management tools preferred.
• Ability to travel regularly for in-person donor visits, up to 25%.
• Residence in or near a major market preferred.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.