Director of Philanthropy

• Manage a portfolio of 75–125 major donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $5,000–$1,000,000, developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Build and sustain meaningful donor relationships through personalized outreach, conduct regular one-on-one meetings, and solicit major gifts independently and in partnership with senior leadership.
• Lead planning and execution of donor cultivation events and mission-driven experiences to deepen engagement and elevate public understanding of humane science.
• Collaborate with program teams to translate complex scientific and policy developments into compelling donor communications and impact reports.

This role directly advances the mission of NAVS and IFER to end animal testing by securing philanthropic investments that fund humane science, research alternatives, and advocacy, thereby reducing animal suffering and promoting ethical scientific practices.

• Minimum 5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with direct responsibility managing major gifts or individual giving programs.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting six-figure-plus gifts and a proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including funding proposal development and donor correspondence; ability to communicate complex scientific and ethical concepts clearly.
• Experience using CRM databases and prospecting tools to track fundraising performance and identify prospective donors; willingness to travel regularly (approximately two-plus trips per month).

Full-time, exempt position. Salary range: $100,000–$110,000. Remote or hybrid work options available. Preferential consideration for candidates in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles metro areas. Chicago-area candidates expected to work on-site three days per week when not traveling.

The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) and its affiliate, the International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER), are dedicated to ending animal testing and advancing humane science through education, advocacy, and funding of ethical research alternatives.