Vice President, Philanthropy & Strategic Funding Initiatives

Company: Morehouse School of Medicine
Location: Atlanta
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Vice President, Philanthropy & Strategic Funding InitiativesMorehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is a place of distinction, serving as the nation's leading academic medical center for vulnerable populations. It's also a place for passionate individuals looking to join a dedicated community working today to help prepare tomorrow's leaders.We exist to:

• Improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities;
• Increase the diversity of the health professional and scientific workforce;
• Address primary health care through programs in education, research and service;With emphasis on people of color and the under-served urban and rural populations in Georgia, the nation and the world. At Morehouse School of Medicine, we're leading the creation and advancement of health equity. You will find a fulfilling career at MSM!Posting Number: NONAC3545Job Title: Vice President, Philanthropy & Strategic Funding InitiativesPosition Type: Non-FacultyNumber of Vacancies: 1Department: Institutional AdvancementPosition Summary: Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Vice President, Philanthropy and Strategic Funding Initiatives will provide leadership and oversight for all areas of private fundraising strategy and implementation, including annual and broad-based giving, major and principal giving, foundation, corporate, and planned giving. Under the direction of the Senior Vice President, Office of Institutional Advancement, this individual will work closely with executive leadership, senior faculty and staff, and the President and CEO of MSM, ensuring that fundraising activities align with institutional priorities. Additionally, this position will serve as the lead architect for private funding strategies (individuals, foundations, and corporations) supporting special initiatives and programs from mission areas and strategic pillars: education, research, community engagement, capital, and endowment; and will guide MSM's fundraising efforts related to the More In Common Alliance.The Vice President will direct and collaborate with a high-performing team of senior fundraising professionals to ensure alignment, growth, and sustainability in MSM's philanthropic efforts, with a focus on increased direct and endowed major gifts and capital support. The Vice President will drive fundraising strategy and execution, ensuring their team has clear direction, resources, and innovative approaches to maximize results.This role requires exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to align fundraising strategies with institutional priorities. Additionally, the Vice President must actively engage with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, ensuring transparency in fundraising efforts and fostering a culture of philanthropy across the university.The ideal candidate will bring expertise in strategy development, campaign design and execution, and the ability to scale fundraising impact. They must be able to leverage the potential of current and emerging technology to cultivate high-level relationships and increase efficacy and efficiency at scale. Experience with Salesforce CRM is highly desirable, and a reasonable level of operational proficiency will be expected within the first 90 days. The ability to bring and build strong funding relationships locally, regionally, and nationally is essential, with familiarity, experience and knowledge of the local philanthropic community.Position Summary:
  • Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) seeks an accomplished, high-achieving, seasoned educational and/or non-profit fundraising leader for its Development Program.
  • The Vice President will support the philanthropic aims and objectives of the Institution.
  • They will support the SVP of OIA and will join a visionary President and CEO as she continues to chart the course for Morehouse School of Medicine and its diverse students.
  • They will work collaboratively to create, develop, implement and achieve donor-centric strategic plans.
  • They will prioritize the efforts to increase private support exponentially as Morehouse School of Medicine continues to grow contributed revenue streams in support of MSM's strategy.
  • The Vice President will be a vital force and advocate for strategic campaigns to sustain and expand Morehouse School of Medicine's mission, impact and outcomes while working collaboratively with the Trustees, administration, faculty, other councils, staff and voluntary leadership.Duties and Responsibilities:
    • Fundraising Strategy & Execution: Develop and drive MSM's comprehensive philanthropy strategy, ensuring that all areas - major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and donor stewardship - are effectively aligned and executed.
    • Leadership & Team Guidance: Provide strategic vision and guidance to fundraising team leaders, ensuring strong execution of philanthropic initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration.
    • Special Initiatives Leadership: Serves as the primary strategist for securing principal and major private philanthropic support for initiatives in support of special initiatives and programs from mission areas and strategic pillars: education, research, community engagement, capital, and endowment.
    • Endowment & Campaign Strategy: Lead the strategy for increasing MSM's endowment towards a $1B goal, working with team leaders to identify, cultivate, and secure transformational gifts.
    • Annual & Broad-Based Giving Growth: Ensure robust growth in annual, alumni, and broad-based giving programs, strengthening MSM's donor pipeline and fostering long-term philanthropic relationships.
    • Corporate & Foundation Philanthropy: Shape and drive strategies for securing corporate partnerships and foundation funding, ensuring diversification of MSM's revenue streams.
    • Donor Engagement & Stewardship: Design, build, and lead the execution of a best-in-class donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition strategies that are implemented across all fundraising areas to cultivate sustained giving.
    • Technology & Data-Driven Growth: Champion the continued improvement and optimization of Salesforce CRM and data analytics to increase donor engagement, fundraising tracking, and strategic decision-making.
    • Executive & Board Engagement: Under the direction of the SVP, Office of Institutional Advancement, partner with the President, executive leadership team, and the Development and External Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees to align fundraising strategies with institutional priorities.
    • Fiscal Accountability & Strategic Resource Management: Display financial acumen and strategic oversight in managing the development budget, ensuring alignment between revenue generation and expense allocation. This includes providing data-informed recommendations to the Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement on budgetary decisions.Other:
      • Ability to adhere to Institutional policies and procedures.
      • Ability to handle confidential information responsibly and within FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
      • All new employees must complete the FERPA, Anti-Harassment, and any other required online training within 15 days of employment.
      • Must adhere to university public health policies and procedures, including vacation requirements, symptom tracking, and testing.
      • Must be committed to a culture of inclusive excellence, demonstrated ability to build working relationships with people having a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences different from one's own.
      • General knowledge of the Institution's mission, purpose and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.This position may be funded partially or fully by sponsored/extramural funding and employment is contingent upon the continuance of funding.Minimum Qualifications:
        • B.A./B.S. degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
        • Minimum of 15 years of fundraising strategy experience, with 10 years of progressively responsible leadership in advancement/development in higher education, healthcare, or equivalent (mission/budget) non-profit organization(s).Preferred Qualifications:
          • CFRE preferred, and/or other matriculation in non-profit or development education certificate or degree programs.
          • An advanced degree from a regionally accredited college or university is preferred.Morehouse School of Medicine is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Georgia State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Morehouse School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.Job DutiesPre-Employment/Employment RequirementsAll offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.Immunization Requirements: It is MSM's Immunization policy that all Prospective Employees are encouraged to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment. If employment will commence during Flu Season, MSM requires all individuals to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless granted an exemption. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain an exemption from MSM will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.Posting Specific QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
            • * Are you comfortable working on-site?
            • * Please provide your salary requirement. Do Not Enter Negotiable, a specified salary range is required. Not providing a salary requirement will result in your application being incomplete and will not be considered.
            • * Do you have a minimum of 15 years of fundraising strategy experience, with 10 years of progressively responsible leadership in advancement/development in higher education, healthcare, or equivalent (mission/budget) non-profit organization(s)?
            • * Do you have a CFRE preferred, and/or other matriculation in non-profit or development education certificate or degree programs?Required Documents:
              • Curriculum Vitae or ResumeOptional Documents:
                • Cover LetterOur vision is to lead the creation and advancement of health equity.Morehouse School of Medicine720 Westview DriveAtlanta, GA 30310404-752-1500Partner Site(s): Morehouse Healthcare
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