ADA Forsyth Institute | Director of Development | Boston, MA
About ADA Forsyth Institute
The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children in 1910 by the Forsyth Brothers, who saw the urgent need for care among the disadvantaged children of Boston. Between 1914 and 1960, the Forsyth Infirmary served hundreds of thousands of Boston children with dental health needs, provided care and expertise during World War I in coordination with the U.S. government, and founded one of the first schools of Dental Hygiene in the United States.
From the beginning, the driving force behind the Forsyth philosophy of changing how dental care is provided was research. As early as 1916, the research program was expanded and came to dominate Forsyth activities. Early Forsyth research discoveries led to the understanding of the microbiology of cavities, the treatment of childhood tooth decay using silver, and the nutritional vitamin requirements to maintain oral health. Over the years the research breakthroughs have not slowed and Forsyth’s contributions continue to shape dentistry.
The Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children, now the ADA Forsyth Institute, is based in the bio-tech hub of Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA, and a new state-of-the-art facility will be completed nearby in 2025. The Institute has long been a cutting edge, top-tier NIH-funded research powerhouse focused on exploring the connections between oral and systemic health. The recent integration with the American Dental Association in October 2023 unites two storied institutions with similar values and synergistic strengths. From research and technology transfer to local and global public health outreach programs, the ADA Forsyth Institute has been on the front lines of oral health research for more than a century. The Institute provides a variety of client services as well, including an on-site dental clinic, ForsythKids, mobile dental clinics to schools, and ForsythCares for older adults, all focusing on populations without access to dental care.
As the #1 independent dental research institute, ADA Forsyth is proud of its impact on the field, including discoveries that elucidated the mechanisms of fluoride prevention of cavities, development of the first local antibiotic to treat gum disease, and sequencing of the first oral bacterial genome. The organization also made the discovery that cavities are the result of bacterial infection and identified the specific bacteria to blame. Now, in the 21st century, institute scientists are looking beyond dentistry to understand the impact of oral disease on the overall health of the body. The Mission of ADA Forsyth Institute is to advance global health, accelerate oral health innovation, and power the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical techniques, education, and global public health outreach.
For more information about ADA Forsyth Institute, please visit https://forsyth.org/about/.
About Philanthropy at ADA Forsyth Institute
With a 114+ year history, AFI has a donor and prospect base of grateful patients, dental industry leaders, annual conference CEO-level participants, as well as students who went through the Institute’s training programs. AFI also benefits from long-term support from state and local government. The new DoD will continue to increase annual philanthropic support for AFI as well as build an endowment through professorships and other academic funding opportunities.
About the Position
The Director of Development (DoD) will plan and direct the full spectrum of the development program to ensure that all development activities support AFI’s mission and strategic objectives, including securing annual operating support for ForsythKids, Forsyth Teens, ForsythCares, Forsyth Student Scholars, and Forsyth STEM.
The DoD is responsible for managing and expanding AFI’s existing donor base through a variety of targeted programs and initiatives, including annual fund, events, corporate sponsorships, government and private foundation grants, campaign initiatives, planned giving, and more. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Wenyuan Shi, PhD, this new fundraising leader will design and implement major gift-giving programs and work closely with the CEO to cultivate and close major and principal gifts, as well as prepare reports and updates for the Executive Team and key stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will be excited to work in an innovative, fast-paced environment, and be a strong development generalist, leading a one-person development shop in partnership with AFI leadership. With many noteworthy corporate supporters, the DoD will bring an executive presence and the confidence to be one of AFI’s key external representatives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Direction
Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising plan, ensuring development priorities are aligned to meet and/or exceed goals
Maintain and monitor Raiser’s Edge system with necessary data and tracking plans
Design metrics and measurements to identify trends; track and report progress, and pinpoint areas where proactive measures will make a difference
Fundraising
- Effectively engage and grow AFI’s portfolio of individual donors, designing and implementing appropriate donor cycle plans for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Develop AFI’s existing major gift program, and incorporate a planned giving component to ensure comprehensive and maximal solicitations
- Manage and solicit public and private grant opportunities
- Tailor and implement an effective development event cycle to support cultivation efforts
Leadership and Cross-Team Collaboration
- Partner with the CEO and Board on major and principal gift strategy, donor visit preparations, solicitations, and stewardship
- Work with Executive Team on overarching planning and goal setting
- Collaborate with the Director of ForsythKids and Community Programs on donor engagement opportunities
With strong support from marketing and communications, ensure cohesive external communications to donors and prospects
- Provide subject matter expertise and support as needed
Key Qualifications:
- Five or more years of fundraising in complex environment
- Self-driven to success and committed to the mission of AFI
- Track record of prospect identification and pipeline development
- Demonstrated ability to raise large gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
- A successful track record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and closing gifts of 6-figures+ in partnership with senior leadership as well as through personal donor engagement activity
- Fluent and experienced with data/donor analytics and analysis to drive donor engagement, retention and fundraising performance
- Strong knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or similar donor database system
- Ability to establish priorities and meet ambitious goals and deadlines
- Proficient at managing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Outstanding communication skills, e.g. presentation, verbal, and writing; ability to speak persuasively about the organization with diverse constituencies
- Experience in academic medical, research, higher education helpful and preferred
- Knowledge of and experience with the Massachusetts philanthropic community is highly desirable
- Expert in relationship management and relating effectively at all levels
- Flexible and adaptable; pivots and adjusts when necessary
- Experienced in budgeting, setting data driven strategies, and planning
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
Compensation:
AFI offers a competitive salary range for this position commensurate with experience and offers an environment of continuous learning as well as a comprehensive and generous benefits program.
ADA Forsyth is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.
To express interest, please submit your cover letter and resume in confidencehttps://apptrkr.com/5803020.
For more information, please visit www.developmentguild.com.
