Director of Development Strategy, Community Health Ministries

Philanthropy Services Manager

In partnership with the Vice President and CEOs of Community Health Ministries and Senior Director, Philanthropy Strategy, leads philanthropic strategy and support for all clinics in Community Health Ministries (CHM) across Ascension, partnering with local leaders to build sustainable fundraising programs that maximize fundraising performance tailored to each community's needs. Maintains accountability and updates to the Development Strategic Growth Plan for all Community Health Ministries, continuously driving alignment with organizational priorities, strengthening donor messaging, and ensuring effective use of fundraising systems and best practices. Responsible for the consistent and strategic implementation and adaptation of all fundraising strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, grants, special events from individuals, foundations, and corporations across all Community Health Ministries. Builds strong relationships with Senior Management, Community Health Ministry clinical leaders, and boards, guiding development efforts, tracking progress, and fostering collaboration across sites to expand philanthropic revenue growth and impact. In collaboration with CHM CEO's, manages accountability and progress of local Community Health Ministry development associates who carry donor portfolios and relationship management responsibilities in their regional communities.

The Ascension Philanthropy Services team reports to the national philanthropy team in Ascension System Office.

Core Responsibilities :

• Reports to the Vice President, Community Health Ministries, with a dotted line reporting to the Senior Director, Philanthropy Strategy, collaborate with Ministry leaders and development associates to develop a comprehensive suite of philanthropic strategies for each community, calibrating to the need and sophistication of local fundraising efforts.
• In partnership with local Ministry CEOs, collaborate, advise and mentor a high-performing frontline fundraising team in each Community Health Ministry, ensuring accountability and collaborative development activities that drive revenue growth, strengthen donor relationships, and align philanthropic initiatives with organizational priorities.
• With the Senior Director, Philanthropy Strategy, maintain timely, strategic reporting on key metrics to senior leadership at the Ascension Philanthropy Services and Community Health Ministries to ensure leaders are informed on progress and opportunities in donor relations and revenue generation.
• Continue to develop and maintain a multi-year sustainable philanthropic revenue growth plan for each CHM, incorporating annual fundraising goals and long-term financial strategies and ensuring that strategies and tactics produce results of major, annual, planned, and institutional gifts and grants from individuals, foundations and corporations. Integrates the development operations and communications strategies and tactics to deliver high performing development for all Community Health Ministries.
• Partner with the Development Communications team and Community Health Ministries to create compelling proposals, case statements, customized funding collateral, stewardship materials, reports, and other fundraising materials. Align Community Health Ministries' fundraising messages with broader strategic priorities and refine key messaging for different donor audiences. Ensure fundraising messaging is supported by outcomes and success stories.
• Partner with the Development Operations team to provide guidance to all Community Health Ministries development staff on CRM protocols, data entry and gift processing. Collaborate to conduct prospect research and qualification; manage portfolio moves and pipeline data tracking in CRM; monitor engagement metrics; analyze donor engagement outcomes, ensure timely gift processing and stewardship, develop development budgets and provide regular reports to leadership to inform strategy and forecasting.
• Demonstrate fluency in complex giving vehicles (e.g., donor-advised funds, appreciated stocks and assets, charitable trusts, wills, and annuities) and advise donors on strategic giving opportunities, working seamlessly with teams in Development Operations, Legal and Finance to ensure proper execution of gift agreements.
• Build relationships with local Community Health Ministries leadership and other key stakeholders to move toward a unified fundraising program for Ascension; advising CHM CEOs on optimal approaches for local Board engagement and deeper activation in donor outreach, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts.
• Provide leadership in development of inter-team communications, cohesiveness and collaboration between Community Health Ministries and Ascension Philanthropy Services teams. Serve as a thought partner with the Ascension Philanthropy Services team in specific areas of subject matter expertise and represent Community Health Ministries.
• Design and coordinate curated, intimate, mission immersion events and donor experiences designed to engage, recognize, and deepen relationships with major donors.
• Advise leadership on fundraising trends, donor insights, and philanthropy sector developments to inform strategy and resource planning.
• High degree of independence and frequent travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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