Fundraising Officer — Galas & Signature Events

Melanoma Research Foundation; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Competitive healthcare benefits

Domestic travel for fundraising events

Job summary

The Melanoma Research Foundation seeks a Development Officer, Galas and Signature Events in Washington, DC (Hybrid). You will lead donor cultivation, sponsor solicitation, and management of gala and signature events to raise over $2,300,000 annually.

Responsibilities include building volunteer committees, managing donor portfolios, overseeing event budgets, coordinating with internal teams, and ensuring events align with MRF branding and strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in donor cultivation, sponsorship solicitation, and event fundraising
• Experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising events, including galas and other signature events
• Experience managing donor portfolios, volunteer committees, and corporate and individual sponsor relationships
• Previous supervisory experience preferred
• Experience working in a nonprofit organization required; experience in cancer research, healthcare, or health advocacy organizations preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage and steward donors, committee members and event volunteers for deeper engagement within the organization
• Cultivate, solicit and steward past and new sponsors (individual and corporate)
• Set event timelines and budgets
• Develop run of show and scripts for presenters
• Partner with the Development Coordinator to plan and execute all logistical aspects of each event
• Oversee venue selection, vendor management, contract negotiation, audiovisual production, shipping logistics, and onsite event execution
• Identify and recruit key honorees, co‑chairs and committee members
• Host monthly committee meetings
• Cultivate, solicit and steward host committee members, past sponsors and solicit new individuals and companies for support
• Reconcile event budgets, track donor outreach and revenue, and generate reports using CRM, DonorPerfect
• Solicit in‑kind donations for auctions
• Partner with the Director of Corporate Relations to solicit national sponsorships and local sponsorships
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the events reflect approved MRF branding and messaging
• Partner with the Director of Philanthropy to transition event and annual donors to major gift donors
• Provide onsite support for additional MRF fundraising initiatives, including Miles for Melanoma events and other community fundraising programs
• Coach, mentor, and manage two Development team members, providing regular feedback, performance management, and professional development

Skills

Donor cultivation

Sponsorship solicitation

Event fundraising

Volunteer management

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field

Tools

DonorPerfect CRM

OneCause event platform

Job description

The Melanoma Research Foundation seeks a Development Officer, Galas and Signature Events in Washington, DC (Hybrid). You will lead donor cultivation, sponsor solicitation, and management of gala and signature events to raise over $2,300,000 annually.

Responsibilities include building volunteer committees, managing donor portfolios, overseeing event budgets, coordinating with internal teams, and ensuring events align with MRF branding and strategic goals.