Director Of Major Gifts, Mid-Atlantic

American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) has exclusively retained Sterling Search, Inc. to find its next Director of Major Gifts, Mid-Atlantic (DMGMA).


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 and 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 1,550 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 15,333 people.
EMTs and paramedics are treating the injured on the scene, providing lifesaving treatment often in the midst of rocket attack and gunfire.
They are also transporting patients to hospitals via ambulances and helicopter to receive further treatment when necessary.


Donations made to AFMDA since October 7 have been allocated for war- and terrorism-related response initiatives.
This includes purchasing emergency vehicles, medical equipment, and supplies to treat the injured; programs to harden communities and MDA facilities and make them more resilient in future attacks; and initiatives designed to train new EMTs and shorten response times to medical emergencies even further.


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.


Click here to visit the American Friends of Magen David Adom Website

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 $65M agency with the United States fundraising efforts divided into 4 regions.
Last year AFMDA raised almost $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 and the Northeast region will represent a third of the overall philanthropic revenue.


About the Region:

The Northeast region of AFMDA, which includes the Mid-Atlantic area, raises the most of all regions through its individual giving efforts, last year closing out at approximately $90M which included significant contributions from war time fundraising efforts.
The DMGMA reports into the Regional Director of Strategic Philanthropy, Northeast Region and will carry a personal portfolio of 50-75 donors located in the DC Metro/Baltimore area who give major and planned gifts, historically representing $1M of the region's budget.
The current portfolio represents loyal donors pre-October 7th and new donors who have contributed during the war resulting in $6.5M revenue raised since October 7th largely from the Maryland community.


Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate will be an established fundraiser in the DC Metro/Baltimore area, 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 have a track record of success forming mutually beneficial relationships with mission aligned community partners.
The successful candidate 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 DMGMA 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.


Position Overview:

The 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 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 Stimulate and develop effective lay leadership councils for participation in fundraising events and activities Create budget plans to ensure a cohesive financial resources development plan in 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 programming to engage 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 major gift fundraising experience required Skills Required: Proven success in planning large fundraising events 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 advantageous
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work.
This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.
American Friends of Magen David Adom's management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.


American Friends of Magen David Adom is an equal opportunity employer.
A competitive compensation package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate.
The budgeted salary range is $155-175k, the salary will be commensurate with experience.
American Friends of Magen David Adom is an equal employment employer.