Tulane University seeks a strategic, relationship-focused, and mission-driven officer to secure philanthropic gifts from grateful patients and families in the $1,000–$25,000 range across clinical specialties. This frontline fundraising position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting leadership annual gifts through field-based donor engagement, including in-person and virtual visits, personalized cultivation strategies, and direct solicitation.
This position serves as a critical connector between annual giving and major gifts - building a robust pipeline of leadership annual donors while identifying and advancing prospects for higher-level engagement. Exercises professional judgment and discretion in clinical, patient-centered environments, in alignment with Tulane Health Systems' mission and HIPAA standards.
Frontline Fundraising & Donor Engagement
· Manage an active portfolio of approximately 125–175 grateful patient prospects and donors
· Conduct in-person and virtual donor visits to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors
· Secure outright gifts, pledges, and multi-year commitments in the $1,000–$25,000 range
· Develop and execute individualized donor strategies aligned with clinical priorities
· Maintain timely and accurate documentation of all donor interactions in the CRM system
Grateful Patient Program Integration
· Partner with physicians, nurses, administrators, and clinical leadership to identify appropriate grateful patient prospects
· Translate patient gratitude into philanthropic investment through ethical, patient-centered engagement
· Represent Grateful Giving professionally within clinical and patient-facing environments
· Ensure adherence to HIPAA and institutional compliance standards in all outreach
Pipeline Development & Collaboration
· Qualify leadership annual giving donors for potential transition to Major Gifts
· Coordinate strategic referrals and warm handoffs to Major Gift Officers
· Collaborate with Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Advancement Communications & Marketing, and Donor Relations to ensure a coordinated donor experience
· Support targeted appeals, stewardship efforts, and engagement initiatives as complements to frontline work
Administrative & Reporting Responsibilities
· Maintain accurate forecasting, contact reports, and donor strategies
· Track progress toward revenue, visit, and solicitation goals
· Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and training opportunities
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
1. Bachelor's degree and 5 years of frontline fundraising experience, including direct solicitation; OR
2. High school diploma or equivalent and 9+ years of relevant fundraising experience
3. Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY:
1. Ability to build trust and credibility with patients, families, physicians, and clinical leadership
2. Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
3. Demonstrated ability to ask for and close philanthropic gifts
4. Sound judgment when working with sensitive and confidential information
5. Ability to work independently while aligning with institutional strategy
6. Strong organizational skills and discipline in moves management and CRM documentation
7. Professional discretion and emotional intelligence in patient-facing settings
8. Commitment to ethical fundraising and donor-centered engagement
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Fundraising experience in a hospital, academic medical center, or healthcare-related environment
2. Experience with Leadership Annual Giving, Grateful Patient fundraising, or Major Gifts
3. Demonstrated success closing gifts through personal solicitation
Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities.
Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at hr@tulane.edu
