Associate Director of Major Gifts
Hybrid - Home Office New Jersey/HQ Metro New York
American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) has exclusively retained Sterling Search, Inc. to find its next Associate Director of Major Gifts, New Jersey (ADMG).
AFMDA is a partner in the vital work Magen David Adom (MDA) does every day for Israel’s 9.2 million population by funding a wide variety of emergency vehicles, a new national blood center, critically needed medical supplies, and rigorous EMT training. AFMDA is one of the fastest-growing Jewish nonprofit organizations in the US.
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, as well as Israel’s representative to the International Red Cross, providing a crucial link in the chain of survival for seriously injured or ill patients. MDA has 1,400 ambulances across the country and before the terrorist attaches of Oct 7, AFMDA deployed about 600 Medi-cycles and more than 10,000 first responders, arriving first to the scene of medical emergencies more than 91% of the time. AFMDA supports Magen David Adom’s efforts to save lives in Israel with charitable donations from the United States. In the immediate aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Magen David Adom activated all 1,400 of its existing ambulances, as well as its Medicycles, helicopters, and all other vehicles. Since then, Magen David Adom EMTs and paramedics have been treating the wounded, while risking their lives to save the lives of others.
MDA is operating 24 hours a day, responding to all reported incidents and emergency calls across the entire country. Since October 7, MDA has treated 14,570 people. EMTs and paramedics are treating the injured on the scene, providing lifesaving treatment often in the midst of rocket attacks and gunfire. They are also transporting patients to hospitals via ambulances and helicopter to receive further treatment when necessary.
MDA built a state-of-the-art underground National Blood Center to safeguard Israel’s vital blood supply. It opened in 2022 with the dedication of the Marcus National Blood Services Center. Since the war began, MDA’s blood services division has been supplying 100% of the blood needed by the IDF and is distributing blood units to all of Israel’s hospitals, where injured civilians are being treated. In addition to using blood already in the blood bank, MDA is operating multiple blood drives across the country to ensure they have the consistent supply they will undoubtedly continue to require.
The blood center also includes a breast milk bank for which the organization received a $3M charitable gift. In response to the crisis, MDA’s Sussman Family Foundation Human Milk Bank is increasing its supply of tested and processed breast milk for babies whose mothers have been killed, injured, kidnapped, or called to IDF reserve duty.
AFMDA is led by highly respected industry veteran Catherine Reed, CEO, a role she assumed in early 2020 after originally joining as CDO and leading the capital campaign efforts for the Marcus National Blood Services Center. Prior to joining AFMDA, Cathy held leadership positions with the 92nd Street Y in New York and Hadassah.
Pre-October 7th, AFMDA was a $65 million agency with the United States fundraising efforts divided into 4 regions. Last year AFMDA raised approximately $300M due to war time fundraising efforts which included a match from Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies and emerging corporate funding. It is anticipated that going forward the agency will have a $60-100M annual budget.
The Northeast region of AFMDA raises the most of all regions through its individual giving efforts, last year closing out at approximately $100M. The ADMG reports into the Regional Director of Strategic Philanthropy and will carry a significant personal portfolio of wealth-screened prospects located mainly in the New Jersey community who give major and planned gifts, representing $3-5M of the region’s budget. The portfolio represents an even split of loyal donors pre-October 7th and new donors who have contributed during the war. Typically, the Northeast raises $14M, the region is currently tracking at $5M at the end of Q1.
The ideal candidate will be an established fundraiser in the New Jersey community, with the ability to command a room of high wealth individuals while bringing a deep understanding of the Jewish philanthropic landscape, as well as a knowledge of Israel. The successful candidate will form engagement and cultivation strategies for donor acquisition to augment their portfolio. He or she will need to be a self-starter ready to proactively reach out to and engage with donors and prospects and hit the ground running. Additionally, the successful candidate will have the seasoning and experience to segment and prioritize a donor portfolio. The successful candidate will be a team player and possess confidence and drive.
The new ADMG will have a tremendous opportunity to build upon the momentum already established and to be a part of this critical, meaningful work in a highly visible region for the organization.
Click here to learn more about American Friends of Magen David Adom: https://afmda.org/
Position Overview:
The Associate Director of Major Gifts will be responsible for raising funds by utilizing a variety of strategies including face-to-face solicitations, parlor meetings and major events in their designated area that will encompass donor cultivation and solicitation and fulfillment events and raise AFMDA awareness. The Associate Director of Major Gifts will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects to foster gifts at a minimum of five and six-figure gifts to achieve area goals.
Essential Job Functions:
Directly solicit and close gifts from major prospects and maintain relationships through mail, phone, or in-person contacts; coordinate local mail campaigns; and ensure that required donor records are maintained
Identify, cultivate, successfully solicit and steward major gift prospects to foster five and six-figure gifts toward both the annual and capital campaigns
Organize and execute area fundraising events such as corporate and professional dinners, parlor meetings and special events to raise awareness and contributions for AFMDA
Create and lead a series of cultivation events and activities to engage and broaden the prospect pool at the leadership and major giving levels
Organize small events/parlor meetings and arrange one-on-one meetings to promote and successfully engage donors to participate in Legacy Giving program
Build, develop and inspire effective lay leadership councils for participation in fundraising events and activities
Create budget plans to ensure a cohesive financial resources development plan in the area
Cultivate and maintain community relationships and community outreach; identify potential speakers for activities and/or events
Develop young leaders/next generation donors and prospects in identified areas and develop programing to engage them
Conduct donor research to identify prospects and support cultivation efforts
Participate in special assignments or projects as assigned
Frequent local and regional travel
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree required
Minimum of 5+ years of progressive direct fundraising experience required
Skills Required:
Proven success in planning fundraising events such as parlor meetings
Must have a strong knowledge of donor cultivation, donor services and solicitation and proven ability to solicit and close five and six figure gifts
High integrity and diplomatic skills to function within a complex international organization
Strong interpersonal skills and comfort in interfacing with donors
Must have excellent writing and verbal communications skills in English
Must have excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office and Internet) and comfort working with donor database programs, Raisers Edge preferred
Must be able to work strategically within a team structure as well as independently, multi-task and work under tight deadlines
Dependability, good time management and organizational skills and be attentive to detail
Proven experience in managing and implementing development programs
Experience with developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, and staff
Knowledge of Israel is a plus
Compensation:
A competitive compensation package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate. The budgeted salary range is $125-140k, the salary will be commensurate with experience.
Please contact Julie Lugo or Linda Yeomans for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.
Phone: (310) 909-4897 or (714) 388-8602
Email: Julie@SterlingSearchInc.com or Linda@SterlingSearchInc.com
Please direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Any communication with AFMDA will be redirected back to Sterling Search.
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