Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disease (passed from an affected parent to their child) causing uncontrolled growth of cysts in the kidney eventually leading to kidney failure. It affects all racial and ethnic groups equally.
JB+A Client PKD Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is the only organization in the United States solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for PKD and to improve the lives of those it affects. The Foundation does this through promoting research, education, advocacy, support and awareness on a national level, along with direct services to local communities across the country. PKD Foundation is the largest private funder of PKD research. Over the last 30 years, it has invested more than $42 million in basic and clinical research, nephrology fellowships and scientific meetings with a simple goal: to discover and deliver treatments and a cure for PKD.
Strengthening the Mission of PKD Foundation through Enhanced Fundraising
PKD Foundation has benefitted from a successful fundraising program, and provides individuals, foundations and corporations with the opportunity to support a number of programs and projects. It seeks financial support through annual giving, major gift giving, grants and planned giving and by staging a number of unique special events across the country. Fiscal Year 2018 (7/1/17 – 6/31/18) has been a banner year for fundraising, as it is projected that total giving to the Foundation will be above $9,500,000 – an increase of 53%, with an average gift of $278 (the highest average over the past ten years). Much of the increase over FY 2017 can be directly attributed to the significant growth experienced in the Major Gifts sector ($5,000 and above).
Although the PKD Foundation is pleased with the recent growth in financial support, it is aware that generations of families devastated by unending loss from PKD are looking more to the PKD Foundation for answers, treatment and eventually a cure. Therefore, the Foundation has made the commitment to launch a five-year $70,000,000 campaign, one which will alter the course of PKD through increasing the Foundation’s investment in research as well as providing the best resources for its patient community. The campaign will provide the Foundation with the resources to attack PKD on several fronts including: Propelling Research, Supporting Patients, Securing Future Research and Amplifying Voice.
Background
While PKD Foundation has a team of fully-committed staff who all share the vision of one day finding a cure for this devastating disease, key positions will be added to the Development Department to increase its fundraising capacity, in light of the $70,000,000 campaign.
This begins with recruiting and hiring an experienced Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) – a position that will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors, while providing a high level of leadership and guidance to other members of the Development Department. The CAO will not only have an impact on the campaign, but on the success of the Development Department for many years to come.
Responsibilities
The CAO reports directly to and collaborates closely with the CEO of PKD Foundation. The following list of responsibilities does not restrict the work of this position, but rather, sets forth specific guidelines to be followed in a prompt and efficient manner.
- Maintain a working knowledge of PKD Foundation policies and procedures specifically related to his/her area of responsibility
- Cooperate with and assist the CEO in advancing the mission of PKD Foundation through the coordination of all development activities
- Identify and coordinate appropriate opportunities to utilize the strengths of the CEO in his participation in the cultivation and solicitation of high-end donors and prospects
- Prepare a Strategic Development Plan and department budget prior to the beginning of each fiscal year showing goals, action steps and outcome measures for each fundraising discipline and individual for the ensuing year
- Establish realistic, inspiring and challenging development goals and objectives with staff and present same to the CEO to review and reach agreement on proposed development goals and objectives; provide regular updates on results
- Study and recommend changes and new policies to the CEO, related to all aspects of development functions
- Encourage, train and support staff reporting to him/her and monitor accountabilities for results and outcomes of all development initiatives
- Effectively and efficiently administer the affairs of the department, especially to the creation and monitoring of the budget to ensure compliance with PKD Foundation standards, policies and expectations
- Provide oversight of Directors of Leadership Giving to ensure best practices in the strategic identification, cultivation and solicitation of donors and prospects
- Work closely with Planned Giving staff in overseeing all aspects of the Planned Giving program to ensure the appropriate promotion of the various Planned Giving vehicles to current and prospective donors
- Remain personally active in the pursuit of major and planned gifts, maintaining a portfolio of high-end donors and prospects
- Collaborate with the Database Administrator to ensure all information is current and relevant
- Oversee the development of all Direct Mail appeals, closely evaluating the productivity and efficiency of mail service vendors to ensure generation of an acceptable return on investment
- Work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure all PKD Foundation promotional materials are current and appropriate for use in advancing fundraising initiatives of all types
- Direct the oversight and development of all aspects of capital campaigns to include assessing needs, strategic planning and participation of volunteers and appropriate staff
- Work closely with the Walk for PKD staff to enhance current walks and special events and to identify opportunities for greater activity in areas currently not being served
- Develop educational materials and training for volunteers to ensure best practices and outcomes; assist volunteers in their role as ambassadors within their communities
- Oversee the pursuit of an appropriate level of identification and solicitation of foundation grantors and engage PKD Foundation scientific staff in such activities as appropriate
- Serve as a member of the PKD Foundation executive management team and maintain an effective liaison with PKD Foundation personnel to promote clear understanding of development programs and responsibilities
- Attend and participate in educational initiatives in the interest of advancing the well-being of the PKD Foundation
The CAO will likely devote 80% of his/her time to overseeing Leadership Giving (major gifts) and Planned Giving. He/she will work closely with the Directors of Leadership Giving and also work closely with the CEO in utilizing his time connecting with PKD Foundation prospects with the highest level of giving capacity. The CAO will also be expected to handle his/her own portfolio of Leadership level prospects and manage the other division of the Development Department.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) from an accredited college or university in fundraising, communications or related field
- A minimum of 15 years of fundraising experience and 7 to 10 years of increasingly responsible leadership experience within a fully-integrated development program
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and strong interpersonal skills
Application Instructions
Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references. Please send materials to: PKDFoundationExecSearch@FundraisingJBA.com.
PKD Foundation works to maintain the best possible environment for its employees, and strives to provide a collaborative, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to its processes, decisions, planning and culture. PKD Foundation offers highly competitive compensation in addition to an extensive benefits package including:
- Paid time off – 20 days
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
- 403(b) 9.5% of salary, no match required
- Generous HSA Contributions
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, contact JB+A President and CEO Jeffrey D. Byrne at 816-237-1999 or at PKDFoundationExecSearch@FundraisingJBA.com.
Check out the recent success of PKD Foundation with the approval of JYNARQUE™ (tolvaptan) to be the first treatment in the U.S for adult patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common form of PKD.
