What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Major Gifts, Glaucoma Research Foundation – Remote (San Francisco preferred / national travel required) position at Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Gate Chapter (AFP Golden Gate)?
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Director, Major Gifts
Full Time | Remote
Job Summary
We’re seeking a Major Gifts Officer with a solid background in securing six-and seven-figure gifts who thrives on authentic connection, understands the nuance of national fundraising, and is energized by the opportunity to make a lasting difference. This is a frontline fundraising role with significant autonomy and organizational visibility.
This is not a community-based role — it’s a nationally scoped position that calls for someone comfortable navigating a diverse, geographically dispersed donor landscape with sophistication and heart.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and COO, you’ll inherit an active portfolio and build it into a powerhouse of approximately 150 major gift prospects. You’ll work at the six- and seven-figure level, partnering closely with GRF’s CEO and EDOD to drive strategy and deepen relationships with donors who have the capacity — and the passion — to fuel a future without glaucoma.
This role sits at the heart of our campaign planning. GRF is in the early phases of a $50 million comprehensive campaign launching publicly in February 2028, in celebration of our 50th anniversary. You’ll help lay the groundwork: qualifying prospects, building relationships, and positioning GRF for its most ambitious fundraising effort yet.
Full Job Description
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Build and Manage a National Portfolio
You’ll personally qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects, drawn from a pipeline of 800 high-priority donors and prospects. You’ll add new prospects continuously, prioritize by ability, affinity, and access, and maximize giving potential at every level.
Partner on Strategy
You’ll work hand-in-hand with GRF’s executive leadership to develop and execute donor strategies, craft personalized proposals, and create meaningful moments of connection between donors, researchers, and GRF’s mission.
Champion a Grateful Patient Program
Working alongside glaucoma specialists across the country, you’ll help build and systematize a Grateful Patient program that becomes a cornerstone of campaign activity.
Represent GRF on the National Stage
You’ll attend GRF’s signature convenings — including the annual Glaucoma 360 event in San Francisco and the Annual Glaucoma Patient Summit — as well as engage donors in markets across the country. Extensive travel (40–50%) is an essential and exciting part of this role.
Support the Broader Development Team
You’ll work closely with a collaborative, mission-driven team including program staff, leadership, and communications to build compelling cases for support
Who You Are
You are a skilled, seasoned major gift fundraiser who understands that transformational giving is built on trust. You know how to meet donors where they are — geographically, emotionally, and motivationally — and you have a track record of closing six-figure gifts to prove it. You are equally comfortable working independently across a national landscape as you are collaborating with colleagues, volunteers, and leadership.
You Bring
LOGISTICS
This is a hybrid role. Candidates based in or near San Francisco are preferred, with the option to work from the GRF office regularly. Candidates located elsewhere may work fully remotely from a home office, with regular visits to GRF’s San Francisco headquarters and regular national travel.
Compensation: $160,000–$175,000 annually, commensurate with experience and an annual bonus tied to portfolio growth, donor stewardship, and fundraising milestones — rewarding the full scope of relationship-based fundraising.
Benefits: 100% employer-sponsored retirement, health/dental/vision, paid vacation and holidays, 5% 401(k) match
Travel: 40–50%, including regular travel to San Francisco and national donor meetings
TO APPLY
Send a cover letter, resume, and writing samples (PDF) to nancy@glaucoma.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. This position is subject to a background check.
Details
Director, Major Gifts
Full Time | Remote
Job Summary
We’re seeking a Major Gifts Officer with a solid background in securing six-and seven-figure gifts who thrives on authentic connection, understands the nuance of national fundraising, and is energized by the opportunity to make a lasting difference. This is a frontline fundraising role with significant autonomy and organizational visibility.
This is not a community-based role — it’s a nationally scoped position that calls for someone comfortable navigating a diverse, geographically dispersed donor landscape with sophistication and heart.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and COO, you’ll inherit an active portfolio and build it into a powerhouse of approximately 150 major gift prospects. You’ll work at the six- and seven-figure level, partnering closely with GRF’s CEO and EDOD to drive strategy and deepen relationships with donors who have the capacity — and the passion — to fuel a future without glaucoma.
This role sits at the heart of our campaign planning. GRF is in the early phases of a $50 million comprehensive campaign launching publicly in February 2028, in celebration of our 50th anniversary. You’ll help lay the groundwork: qualifying prospects, building relationships, and positioning GRF for its most ambitious fundraising effort yet.
Full Job Description
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Build and Manage a National Portfolio
You’ll personally qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects, drawn from a pipeline of 800 high-priority donors and prospects. You’ll add new prospects continuously, prioritize by ability, affinity, and access, and maximize giving potential at every level.
Partner on Strategy
You’ll work hand-in-hand with GRF’s executive leadership to develop and execute donor strategies, craft personalized proposals, and create meaningful moments of connection between donors, researchers, and GRF’s mission.
Champion a Grateful Patient Program
Working alongside glaucoma specialists across the country, you’ll help build and systematize a Grateful Patient program that becomes a cornerstone of campaign activity.
Represent GRF on the National Stage
You’ll attend GRF’s signature convenings — including the annual Glaucoma 360 event in San Francisco and the Annual Glaucoma Patient Summit — as well as engage donors in markets across the country. Extensive travel (40–50%) is an essential and exciting part of this role.
Support the Broader Development Team
You’ll work closely with a collaborative, mission-driven team including program staff, leadership, and communications to build compelling cases for support
Who You Are
You are a skilled, seasoned major gift fundraiser who understands that transformational giving is built on trust. You know how to meet donors where they are — geographically, emotionally, and motivationally — and you have a track record of closing six-figure gifts to prove it. You are equally comfortable working independently across a national landscape as you are collaborating with colleagues, volunteers, and leadership.
You Bring
- 4-5 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including demonstrated success closing gifts of $100,000 or more
- Proven portfolio management skills with high-capacity donors
- Experience in a national organization — you understand that major donor work at this level requires a different approach than community-based fundraising
- Strong moves management instincts and a disciplined, strategic approach to relationship-building
- The ability to grasp and translate complex research into compelling, donor-centered conversations
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- A self-starter mindset, with the ability to work independently and travel extensively
- Genuine warmth, curiosity, and authenticity — you’re someone donors want to hear from
LOGISTICS
This is a hybrid role. Candidates based in or near San Francisco are preferred, with the option to work from the GRF office regularly. Candidates located elsewhere may work fully remotely from a home office, with regular visits to GRF’s San Francisco headquarters and regular national travel.
Compensation: $160,000–$175,000 annually, commensurate with experience and an annual bonus tied to portfolio growth, donor stewardship, and fundraising milestones — rewarding the full scope of relationship-based fundraising.
Benefits: 100% employer-sponsored retirement, health/dental/vision, paid vacation and holidays, 5% 401(k) match
Travel: 40–50%, including regular travel to San Francisco and national donor meetings
TO APPLY
Send a cover letter, resume, and writing samples (PDF) to nancy@glaucoma.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. This position is subject to a background check.
Details
- Salary $160,000 – $175,000
- Job Type Full Time
- Job Category Development
- General Location Remote
- Job Contact Email
- Contact Email nancy@glaucoma.org
- Job PDF Job PDF
- Company Address 131 Steuart Street Suite 200 San Francisco, CA 94105-1206 US
- Company Website https://www.glaucoma.org
- Contact Email nancy@glaucoma.org
Salary : $160,000 - $175,000