Director of Development

The Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to enhancing the services ECMC offers to patients and the community. By securing essential resources, the Foundation supports ECMC’s lifesaving work and advances initiatives that benefit patients, families, and the broader Western New York region.

Driven by a dedicated Board of Directors and a professional staff, the Foundation manages development efforts, operations, and signature events while fostering community engagement through financial gifts and volunteer support. In doing so, the Foundation enables ECMC to provide top-tier care and promote wellness across the region.

The Director of Development is a strategic and results-driven leader responsible for planning, executing, and expanding the philanthropic programs of the ECMC Foundation. They will help to build sustainable and diversified revenue streams while growing a culture of philanthropy that reflects the best practices of healthcare fundraising. This individual will lead efforts across major gifts, annual giving, corporate/foundation partnerships, and grateful patient philanthropy.

The Director will work closely with clinicians, hospital leaders, the Foundation Board, and the community to expand donor participation and cultivate new relationships that advance ECMC’s mission. This is a compelling opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to shape the future of one of Western New York’s most vital healthcare institutions and ensure the Foundation is positioned for long-term impact.

• Develop and implement a development plan that balances short-term revenue goals with long-term sustainability.
• Support the pursuit of a diversified fundraising model that emphasizes major gifts and annual giving from community members.
• Establish performance metrics tracking and reporting for fundraising outcomes and donor engagement.

• Build and manage a portfolio of individuals, families, and grateful patient prospects and donors.
• Design and execute personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Partner with physicians and hospital leaders in identifying and stewarding prospective donors.

• Oversee annual giving strategies including direct mail, digital campaigns, and employee giving.
• Expand donor base, building scalable programs for acquisition, renewal, and stewardship to support revenue growth while strengthening donor loyalty.

• Partner with Event Manager on signature fundraising events and peer-to-peer campaigns.
• Ensure events support donor pipeline development and increase visibility for the foundation.
• Prepare the Foundation for future capital or comprehensive campaigns by aligning donor pipelines with ECMC’s funding priorities.
• Establish relationships with various departments to determine organizational needs, fundable equipment/project and seek funding.

• Oversee donor communications, including impact reports, newsletters, and stewardship materials.
• Ensure timely, personalized acknowledgements and meaningful recognition of donors.
• Collaborate with Database Manager to maintain donor database integrity and generate performance dashboards.

• Work with the Executive Director and engage the Foundation board and volunteers as active fundraising partners through donor outreach and other fundraising efforts.
• Partner across ECMC departments to strengthen philanthropy’s visibility and alignment with the hospital’s mission.

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE or advanced degree preferred.
• 6–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably in healthcare.
• Proven track record securing major gifts of $10,000+ and managing donor pipelines.
• Experience managing modern, comprehensive development programs with strong knowledge of donor stewardship best practices; familiarity with HIPAA-compliant fundraising desirable.
• Comfort using donor database platforms, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising and the mission of nonprofit healthcare.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for event support.
• Some local travel required. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

• A salary of $90,000 – 110,000.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, retirement match, and professional development opportunities.