General Summary: 

The Assistant is an important member of the Prospect Management Team, which is responsible for personal asks, cultivation, and stewardship of Annual Giving and Jimmy Fund donors who have the capacity to give $500 or more to Dana-Farber. This Assistant works with two Assistant Directors and one Senior Assistant Director to coordinate donor correspondence, schedule donor meetings, and conduct follow-up calls to prospects. The Assistant also coordinates administrative tasks including the donor assignment process, reporting and analysis, portfolio segmentation, tracking activity within the ClearView database, generating and distributing call reports, and inputting next steps and prospect management assignments. The Assistant also assists with travel arrangements, produces expense reports, and participates in other Annual Giving activities as needed. Responsible for assisting the entire Division with reaching financial goals.

Embody Dana-Farber’s Core Values: Impact; Excellence; Compassion & Respect; and Discovery every day. Add value to the Dana-Farber community by seeking opportunities to collaborate across the Institute. Foster an ethical, positive, results-oriented culture founded on open communication.

Dana-Farber is currently in the quiet phase of its campaign ‒ the largest and most ambitious fundraising effort in the Institute’s history; one that will serve as a catalyst, enabling the Institute to change the landscape of cancer medicine and, ultimately, eradicate the disease.

Application Requirements: 

Resume and cover letter required with application submission.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow’s physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

Annual Giving Personal Solicitation Coordination

• Coordinate correspondence for two Assistant Directors and one Senior Assistant Director including donor visit requests, personal solicitations, and stewardship.
• Assist with the strategic scheduling of donor visits by mail, phone, and email.
• Compile information packets and marketing materials for donor visits based on available research.
• Assist in drafting tailored donor correspondence and proposals.
• Generate call report templates, distribute call reports, and input next steps.
• Coordinate with Prospect Research department to provide updated contact and donor profile information.
• Respond to phone calls and e-mails from donors and prospective donors. Determine priority of the situation. Suggest response and refer to/inform supervisors as appropriate.
• Provide assistance and support for Campaign related projects as needed.

Reporting and Database

• Develop a working knowledge of the fundraising database and other management information and tracking systems used by the Division of Philanthropy to effectively update and report progress toward personal solicitation goals, including donor visits and moves management.
• Produce donor prospect reports for the Associate Director; track progress and report results of the prospect management program.
• Review gifts from prospects assigned to the two Senior/Associate Directors weekly and update gift opportunity module in fundraising database.
• Serve as liaison and coordinate with Information Services staff to produce and update donor database and related reports as needed.

Division Support

• Participate in visits, asks, and stewardship of Annual Giving donors.

General Support/Other Activities As Needed

• Process and deposit gifts.
• Coordinate travel arrangements as needed.
• Assist with coordination of donor gatherings/events.
• Assist with Annual Giving programs (such as Greeting Card program) during peak seasons.
• Participate in weekly Annual Giving phone coverage and assist with front desk tasks as requested.
• Assist the entire department with reaching goals.
• Participate as needed in Division of Philanthropy team efforts including solicitation strategy teams for key prospects and internal planning efforts.
• Ad-hoc projects. Other responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Reports to two Assistant Directors and one Senior Assistant Director in Annual Giving. This position will seek major decision-making authority from direct supervisors, however, independent decision-making on day-to-day tasks and good judgment is required for dealing with Institute donors, Trustees, senior staff, and confidential information.

Minimum Job Qualifications: 

Associate degree and/or administrative training degree required with 0-2 years of experience. As this level position is often considered a “base” for someone pursuing a career in Philanthropy, a Bachelor’s degree is highly preferred. 0-2 years of administrative experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: 

Advanced critical-thinking, phone, and written communication skills are necessary. Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage a variety of projects from multiple supervisors, and attention to detail are key. Directed and self-starting attitude; ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Strong computer skills and competency in Microsoft Office Suite products, particularly Microsoft Excel, is necessary. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines and bottom line goals. High degree of confidentiality must always be exercised. A significant portion of our donor base is grateful patients and families. A high degree of empathy and sensitivity is required.

This position will evaluate current programs and create and execute approved plans to expand and diversify the donors and participants for the events assigned in order to broaden our donor base and create even more inclusive events. Experience with diverse donors is a plus.

Patient Contact: 

No.

Working Conditions: 

Typical office setting. Some weekend and evening overtime is required during peak times.

* To protect the health and safety of our patients and staff, in person donor visits and travel are on hold and will resume in accordance with Institute guidelines.

Division of Philanthropy Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Commitment Statement: 

We’re stronger together.

In the Division of Philanthropy, we believe in the power of different voices. We encourage authenticity and diversity of every individual within our community. Our collective voices – donors, volunteers, staff, and patients alike – allow us to work together towards a world without cancer. Committed to being a place of inclusivity, belonging, and change, these are our core values.

DFCI Disclaimer: 
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  Requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

DFCI offers a competitive benefits package including generous healthcare and retirement plans, at minimum 3-weeks’ vacation time in addition to 9 paid holidays, a flexible work environment, and work/life balance. We also provide an array of professional development opportunities.*

*All benefits subject to Institute changes

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.