Director of Development
Rhode Island Bar Assn., San Francisco, CA, United States
The Role
The Director of Development leads Save Sight Now’s fundraising strategy and execution, with a primary focus on major gifts, sponsorship, and event-based revenue. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board, this role will strengthen donor relationships, expand revenue opportunities, and help shape the organization’s event strategy.
This is a highly hands‑on builder role for an experienced development leader who is comfortable in a founder‑led environment and capable of turning relationships into revenue. In addition to leading Save Sight Now’s annual gala, this person will help develop a broader event platform over time while driving outreach, follow‑up, sponsorship, and donor momentum day‑to‑day.
This person is also expected to bring structure to the development function, including clear communication, pipeline tracking, follow‑through, and accountability. We are looking for someone who can create order, keep priorities moving, and reduce reliance on founder‑driven coordination.
About Save Sight Now Save Sight Now is a California‑based, Bay Area parent‑led nonprofit focused on funding urgent, translational research to develop treatments for Usher syndrome type 1B—a rare inherited retinal disease and the leading genetic cause of combined deaf‑blindness in children. Our work is centered on disciplined, clinic‑oriented science, and we collaborate closely with industry partners, researchers, and patient families to accelerate credible pathways toward human clinical trials.
Founded in 2019, Save Sight Now was initially fiscally sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and transitioned to full independence in 2025. To date, we have raised over $3 million to support early translational efforts and strategic research programs. As our work advances toward clinical readiness, the organization is entering a critical growth phase that requires professional fundraising leadership to meaningfully expand revenue and support the next stage of scientific impact.
Major Gifts & Donor Strategy
Build and manage a major donor pipeline
Develop donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with the Executive Director and Board
Coordinate donor outreach, meetings, follow‑up, and asks
Help deepen relationships with existing supporters while identifying and qualifying new major donor prospects
Events, Sponsorship & Revenue Growth
Own Save Sight Now’s annual gala as the organization’s primary fundraising event
Help define and build a broader event‑based fundraising strategy beyond a single annual event
Identify, shape, and support additional donor‑facing events that can deepen relationships and create meaningful revenue opportunities
Develop and manage sponsorship strategy, outreach, closing, and fulfillment
Partner with leadership on table sales, donor engagement, and event‑related fundraising strategy
Lead planning and fundraising execution for events, while working with provided support for week‑of logistics and graphic design
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
Develop and own SSN’s annual fundraising plan and revenue targets, centered on major gifts, sponsorship, and events
Help set development priorities in partnership with leadership and the Board
Present plans, pipeline progress, and revenue updates to leadership and the Board
Drive execution directly and bring structure to internal communication, donor tracking, follow‑through, and accountability
Secondary / Supporting Responsibilities
Support grant strategy and institutional funding efforts as appropriate, including helping prioritize opportunities and coordinating with outside grant writers or scientific leadership
Help ensure donor records, reporting, and stewardship systems are organized and reliable
Recommend and help manage lightweight fundraising support resources as needed
Who This Role Is For
10+ years in nonprofit development, philanthropy, or fundraising leadership
Proven experience closing major gifts and leading successful fundraising events
Strong ability to work closely with founders, boards, and senior stakeholders
Comfortable operating in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial environment without large internal infrastructure
Able to balance strategy with execution and willing to personally drive the work forward
Strong in internal organization, communication, follow‑through, and accountability
Mission‑driven, with interest in science, healthcare, or rare disease preferred
Preferred software: ClassyPro, Bloomerang, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Google, and Slack
Details
Time Commitment: ~30–35 hours per week
Structure: Contract, embedded leadership role
Compensation: $11,500–$13,000 per month (based on scope and experience)
Location: Remote (West Coast preferred)
Contact
If this role sounds aligned — or if you know someone exceptional who might be a fit — please reach out: Email: info@savesightnow.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This is a highly hands‑on builder role for an experienced development leader who is comfortable in a founder‑led environment and capable of turning relationships into revenue. In addition to leading Save Sight Now’s annual gala, this person will help develop a broader event platform over time while driving outreach, follow‑up, sponsorship, and donor momentum day‑to‑day.
This person is also expected to bring structure to the development function, including clear communication, pipeline tracking, follow‑through, and accountability. We are looking for someone who can create order, keep priorities moving, and reduce reliance on founder‑driven coordination.
About Save Sight Now Save Sight Now is a California‑based, Bay Area parent‑led nonprofit focused on funding urgent, translational research to develop treatments for Usher syndrome type 1B—a rare inherited retinal disease and the leading genetic cause of combined deaf‑blindness in children. Our work is centered on disciplined, clinic‑oriented science, and we collaborate closely with industry partners, researchers, and patient families to accelerate credible pathways toward human clinical trials.
Founded in 2019, Save Sight Now was initially fiscally sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and transitioned to full independence in 2025. To date, we have raised over $3 million to support early translational efforts and strategic research programs. As our work advances toward clinical readiness, the organization is entering a critical growth phase that requires professional fundraising leadership to meaningfully expand revenue and support the next stage of scientific impact.
Major Gifts & Donor Strategy
Build and manage a major donor pipeline
Develop donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with the Executive Director and Board
Coordinate donor outreach, meetings, follow‑up, and asks
Help deepen relationships with existing supporters while identifying and qualifying new major donor prospects
Events, Sponsorship & Revenue Growth
Own Save Sight Now’s annual gala as the organization’s primary fundraising event
Help define and build a broader event‑based fundraising strategy beyond a single annual event
Identify, shape, and support additional donor‑facing events that can deepen relationships and create meaningful revenue opportunities
Develop and manage sponsorship strategy, outreach, closing, and fulfillment
Partner with leadership on table sales, donor engagement, and event‑related fundraising strategy
Lead planning and fundraising execution for events, while working with provided support for week‑of logistics and graphic design
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
Develop and own SSN’s annual fundraising plan and revenue targets, centered on major gifts, sponsorship, and events
Help set development priorities in partnership with leadership and the Board
Present plans, pipeline progress, and revenue updates to leadership and the Board
Drive execution directly and bring structure to internal communication, donor tracking, follow‑through, and accountability
Secondary / Supporting Responsibilities
Support grant strategy and institutional funding efforts as appropriate, including helping prioritize opportunities and coordinating with outside grant writers or scientific leadership
Help ensure donor records, reporting, and stewardship systems are organized and reliable
Recommend and help manage lightweight fundraising support resources as needed
Who This Role Is For
10+ years in nonprofit development, philanthropy, or fundraising leadership
Proven experience closing major gifts and leading successful fundraising events
Strong ability to work closely with founders, boards, and senior stakeholders
Comfortable operating in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial environment without large internal infrastructure
Able to balance strategy with execution and willing to personally drive the work forward
Strong in internal organization, communication, follow‑through, and accountability
Mission‑driven, with interest in science, healthcare, or rare disease preferred
Preferred software: ClassyPro, Bloomerang, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Google, and Slack
Details
Time Commitment: ~30–35 hours per week
Structure: Contract, embedded leadership role
Compensation: $11,500–$13,000 per month (based on scope and experience)
Location: Remote (West Coast preferred)
Contact
If this role sounds aligned — or if you know someone exceptional who might be a fit — please reach out: Email: info@savesightnow.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr