Director of Development

About Us

The Morgan Adams Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that funds innovative pediatric cancer research to improve treatment options and outcomes for children, teens, and young adults. We are committed to advancing cures and saving lives through strategic philanthropy and collaboration.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director will be accountable for all fundraising for the Morgan Adams Foundation, including Event Management, Donor Management, Corporate Sponsorships, and Grant Writing. This senior leadership role oversees all fundraising activities, builds and coaches the development team, and partners with executive leadership to achieve ambitious revenue goals. The ideal candidate is a high autonomy, fast-paced, strategic and collaborative leader with a proven track record in generating major gifts, campaigns, and donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership -
The Development Director is responsible for directly managing the fundraising team (currently 9 people) and is also responsible for developing talent and fostering a culture of growth. Responsibilities include:

• People Management:
   Provide clear direction, set goals, and conduct performance reviews for a team of Event Managers, Donor Managers, Corporate Sponsor Managers, and Grant Writers.
• Coaching & Mentorship:
   Actively coach team members on donor engagement strategies, portfolio management, and best practices in fundraising.
• Professional Development:
   Identify skill gaps and create opportunities for training and advancement within the team.
• Culture Building:
   Promote collaboration, accountability, and innovation to ensure the team thrives and meets organizational goals.
• Strategic Alignment:
   Ensure individual and team efforts align with the organization's comprehensive fundraising plan and long-term objectives

2. Fundraising Strategy & Execution -
The Development Director will co-design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive fundraising strategy that drives sustainable growth and aligns with organizational goals. Responsibilities include:

• Comprehensive Fundraising Plan:
   Develop and execute a multi-channel fundraising strategy encompassing major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and special campaigns.
• Campaign Leadership:
   Assist in planning and implementing a long-term 
  Comprehensive Campaign
   to stabilize and grow the foundation's revenue base.
• Revenue Growth:
   Drive toward strategic goals to increase annual grant distribution from $1M–$3M, with a long-term target of $10M annually.
• Budgeting & Forecasting:
   Partner with senior leadership to create and manage annual fundraising budgets, monitor performance, and adjust strategies as needed.
• Data-Driven Decision Making:
   Establish and track team and individual metrics, analyze performance data, and use insights to optimize fundraising efforts.
• Donor Engagement Strategy:
   Oversee donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to deepen relationships and maximize lifetime value.
• Innovation & Best Practices:
   Identify emerging trends and implement best practices in philanthropy, donor engagement, and fundraising technology.
• Cross-Department Collaboration:
   Work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership to align fundraising initiatives with organizational priorities and strategic plan objectives.

3. Collaboration & Organizational Growth -
The Development Director will play a key role in strengthening internal partnerships and driving organizational expansion to support long-term sustainability. Responsibilities include:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   Work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance and Administration, and Senior Leadership to align fundraising initiatives with organizational priorities and financial planning.
• Budget Partnership:
   Collaborate with senior leadership to build and manage the annual fundraising budget, ensuring accuracy and accountability.
• Strategic Expansion:
   Lead efforts to broaden the organization's reach by identifying and cultivating new fundraising partnerships and regional opportunities.
• Campaign Integration:
   Support the implementation of a long-term
  Comprehensive Campaign
  designed to stabilize and grow the foundation's revenue base.
• Strategic Plan Advancement:
   Partner with leadership to enhance and execute the 2021 Strategic Plan, driving toward ambitious grant distribution goals.
• Organizational Development:
   Contribute to planning for future staffing needs and infrastructure to support growth and sustainability.
• Innovation & Best Practices:
   Bring forward ideas and solutions that strengthen collaboration and improve operational efficiency across departments.

4. Portfolio Management -
As part of this role, the Development Director will actively manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects while leading the overall fundraising strategy. Responsibilities include:

• Direct Donor Engagement:
   Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors to meet individual and organizational revenue goals.
• Pipeline Development:
   Identify and qualify new prospects, ensuring a healthy pipeline for future growth.
• Relationship Building:
   Maintain strong, personalized relationships with donors through regular communication, impact reporting, and engagement opportunities.
• Goal Setting & Tracking:
   Establish clear revenue targets for the portfolio and monitor progress using CRM tools and performance metrics.
• Strategic Alignment:
   Integrate portfolio activities into the broader fundraising plan, ensuring consistency with organizational priorities and campaigns.
• Collaboration:
   Work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership to align donor strategies with organizational objectives and comprehensive campaign goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive non-profit fundraising experience, including major gifts and campaign management.
• Proven success in building and leading high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of portfolio management, donor cultivation, and stewardship strategies.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Familiarity with planned giving and event fundraising.
• Experience managing special events managers and supporting signature/third-party events.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.

About Morgan Adams Foundation

The Morgan Adams Foundation is a Denver-based nonprofit with a global reach, dedicated to funding innovative pediatric cancer research. While our roots are firmly planted in Colorado, our impact extends across the U.S. and internationally—supporting cutting-edge studies that aim to improve treatment outcomes and reduce long-term side effects for children and young adults.

We partner with leading researchers and institutions to accelerate the development of safer, more effective therapies. Our funding has helped launch groundbreaking clinical trials and supported over $12 million in research projects worldwide. As we grow, we aspire to become the premier cancer research funding organization in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain region—driving bold discoveries and delivering hope to families everywhere.

Founded in honor of Morgan Adams, our work is fueled by urgency, compassion, and a commitment to changing the future of pediatric cancer care. Whether through our signature programs like RadFlix or our support of collaborative research, we believe every child deserves a chance at a healthy future.

To communicate with us directly, please email