Associate Philanthropy Director

Overview

As a member of the UnityPoint Health – Foundation team, will cultivate and solicit gifts from an assigned portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations. In doing so, will develop and implement annual fundraising goals, priorities, and strategies for UnityPoint Health – Foundation team and ultimately secure major gifts, annual leadership gifts, and event sponsorships. Will collaborate with Foundation team members to plan and execute annual fundraising events, as well as all fundraising communications.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

• Identify and research prospective donors with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more, this may include annual leadership donors with initial interest at the $1,000 giving level or prospects more inclined to make gifts through their estate.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with donors through personalized outreach, meetings, hospital tours, and inviting to events.
• Develop and implement individual donor strategies to inspire philanthropic support.
• Work closely on planning and executing fundraising events in ways that strengthen the development of your major gift portfolio, including engaging potential sponsors, inviting interested donors, and following up with attendees that demonstrate interest and/or capacity for more strategic charitable discussions.
• Develop compelling proposals and donor presentations to secure support through major gift solicitations, planned giving, foundation and corporate grants, and event sponsorships in collaboration with hospital leaders, physicians, and board members.
• Ensure donors receive timely and meaningful acknowledgments and impact reports.
• Plan and participate in donor recognition activities, events, and hospital engagement opportunities.
• Actively support capital, endowment, and special campaigns by collaborating with leadership, volunteers, and board members to engage donors, plan and execute campaign events and communications, and ensure meaningful recognition to maximize fundraising success.
• Collaborate with the hospital’s foundation leadership and UnityPoint System - Center for Philanthropic Excellence to develop and implement cohesive marketing strategies that enhance donor engagement through creation of compelling content for annual giving appeals, printed and electronic materials, and verbal scripts for donor outreach.
• Annual goals projected at 100–150 donor meetings (including 20–40 new prospect qualifications), major gift solicitations (including grant requests and planned gifts).
• Take an active role in the hospital’s employee giving campaign to encourage staff participation in philanthropy.
• Establish intentional and consistent engagement with clinicians, service line leaders, and administrative partners to build trust and position philanthropy as a strategic ally.
• Collaborate with Foundation leadership, clinicians, hospital staff, and the development team to actively manage the Grateful Patient Initiative by identifying, engaging, and cultivating potential donors, while also developing “philanthropy champions” among physicians and leaders to advocate for and introduce grateful patient prospects.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required

Experience & Knowledge:

• Prior professional experience in fundraising, sales, customer service, or relationship-building roles is preferred but not required; strong communication skills, enthusiasm for donor engagement, and a willingness to learn are essential
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to participate in evening and weekend events as necessary
• Strong organizational skills to manage timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional collaboration
• Must read, speak and write fluent English
• Knowledgeable on personal computers and Microsoft Office Required
• Understanding of data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA when relevant) and best practices for donor confidentiality
• Experience using CRM database, including Blackbaud Raisers’ Edge preferred

Credentials:

• Valid Driver’s License required due to conducting meetings with donors, sponsors, etc.