Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Development and Philanthropy (Fractional)
at Save Sight Now
🏢 About Save Sight Now
Save Sight Now is a mission-driven organization specifically focused on advancing treatments for a rare genetic disease, offering a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact in a specialized medical field. Working here means contributing directly to cutting-edge research that could transform lives, with the flexibility of a remote, fractional contract that allows for strategic focus without full-time commitment.
About This Role
As the fractional Director of Development and Philanthropy, you'll shape and execute fundraising strategy during Save Sight Now's critical growth phase, directly influencing their ability to accelerate research. This role involves hands-on leadership in growing major donor support, recurring giving, and long-term philanthropic partnerships while collaborating closely with the Executive Director and Board to drive initiatives.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions with the Executive Director to align on donor cultivation priorities, followed by personalized outreach to potential major donors interested in rare disease research. Afternoons could include developing grant proposals, planning virtual fundraising events tailored to medical research audiences, and analyzing donor data to identify partnership opportunities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Save Sight Now Is Looking For
- A seasoned nonprofit fundraiser with 7+ years of experience specifically in major gifts and development leadership, demonstrated by quantifiable results in growing donor portfolios
- Proven ability to work strategically with founders and executive leadership in mission-driven organizations, preferably in healthcare or rare disease spaces
- Experience designing and executing multi-channel fundraising strategies that integrate events, sponsorships, and grants for maximum impact
- Comfort operating in a fractional, hands-on capacity where you'll both set strategy and personally execute key donor cultivation activities
📝 Tips for Applying to Save Sight Now
Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically for rare disease or medical research organizations, highlighting metrics like donor retention rates and major gift growth percentages
Demonstrate understanding of Save Sight Now's specific mission by referencing their rare disease focus and explaining how your experience aligns with medical research fundraising challenges
Highlight experience working in fractional or contract roles where you've successfully integrated with existing leadership teams to drive strategic initiatives
Showcase specific examples of developing long-term philanthropic partnerships, not just one-time donations, relevant to their growth phase needs
Tailor your resume to emphasize board collaboration experience and how you've partnered with executive leadership to achieve fundraising goals
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with rare disease or medical research fundraising and why Save Sight Now's mission resonates personally or professionally", 'Examples of developing and executing growth-phase fundraising strategies that increased major donor support and recurring giving programs', "How you've successfully worked in fractional or strategic consulting roles with executive teams to achieve measurable fundraising outcomes", 'Your approach to building long-term philanthropic partnerships that align with organizational missions like advancing genetic disease treatments']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → The specific rare genetic disease Save Sight Now focuses on - understand current treatments, research gaps, and patient community needs
- → Their existing fundraising activities by reviewing any public events, donor recognition, or grant acknowledgments on their website or social media
- → The executive leadership team and Board members' backgrounds to understand their expertise and potential network connections
- → Similar rare disease organizations' fundraising approaches to identify best practices and potential partnership opportunities
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic fundraising experience without demonstrating specific knowledge of medical research or rare disease philanthropy challenges
- Focusing only on transactional fundraising rather than showcasing experience building long-term donor relationships and partnerships
- Presenting yourself as needing extensive onboarding or direction rather than as a strategic leader who can hit the ground running in a fractional capacity
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Save Sight Now!