Director, Individual Philanthropy

Department Overview

Ronald McDonald House® is an independent, nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that cares for families when they have children who are ill or injured. Through a global network of 250+ independently operated Chapters in 60+ countries and regions, we surround families with the resources, services, and support they need, removing barriers so they can be at the heart of their child’s care and ensure the best possible health outcomes. Ronald McDonald House strives to be part of the solution to the challenges families face when a child needs healthcare, whether that means staying close to a hospitalized child, affording to remain together while a child undergoes treatment far from home, or accessing basic medical and dental care in underserved communities. Through our resources and community partnerships, we help families gain access to healthcare services and stay together during critical moments in their children’s lives. We are enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model, in which Ronald McDonald House Global employees spend part of their week connecting with co-workers in our state-of-the-art McDonald’s headquarters in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago. For more information, visit ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

The Philanthropy team leads the execution of Ronald McDonald House’s global fundraising in support of the organization’s bold 2030 ambitions: to double the number of families served worldwide, address the most critical unmet needs of families, advance family‑centered care as the global standard, and sustain system‑wide revenue above $1 billion. The team drives significant philanthropic revenue while simultaneously building the systems, capabilities and culture required to scale fundraising impact across the global system. The Philanthropy team is responsible for generating approximately $30+ million annually in philanthropic funds through a diverse and growing portfolio of revenue streams. These include corporate partnerships, individual and major gifts, planned giving, foundation grants, cause‑related marketing and signature events.

The Director, Individual Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for Ronald McDonald House’s global individual giving program, driving major and principal gifts from new and existing donors. The role oversees a high‑performing individual giving team and manages moves management and portfolio strategy to advance fundraising priorities. The Director also personally manages a portfolio of principal donors and is expected to secure significant new and increased commitments from major gift donors. This leader collaborates closely with other revenue directors and partners across the organization to ensure alignment and integration of individual giving strategies with broader organizational goals.

Duties

Strategy, Leadership & Fundraising

• Lead the strategy and execution for individual major gifts fundraising.
• Manage relationships with principal and major individual donors and prospects, including highest capacity new donor/prospect relationships.
• Oversee moves management, donor segmentation, and portfolio strategy to maximize revenue and donor engagement.
• Set fundraising goals, monitor team progress, and adjust strategies to meet annual and long-term targets.
• Provide tools and guidance for individual giving at the national and chapter level. 

New Donor Pipeline Development

• Set the strategy and oversee the development of an individual donor pipeline from direct and digital marketing.
• Ensure prospect research is maximized by the team to identify and cultivate prospective donors.
• Work collaboratively with Ronald McDonald House system leaders to collaboratively prospect, cultivate, solicit and steward donors.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage a team of individual giving professionals, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Ensure alignment of individual giving efforts with broader organizational priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with program, communications, marketing, and events teams to ensure alignment between organizational priorities, revenue generation strategies and proposals and donor interests.
• Work closely with leadership to align individual giving strategy with organizational goals and initiatives.
• Advise senior leaders on donor engagement, solicitation strategies, and stewardship opportunities.
• Build relationships with system leaders to advance fundraising and create collaboration between global, national and local giving.
• Supports donor engagement events, as needed.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Monitor key performance indicators and provide regular reporting on individual giving outcomes.
• Analyze fundraising results to inform strategy and identify opportunities for growth.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and donor confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead and develop high‑performing fundraising teams.
• Strong knowledge of major, annual, and planned giving best practices.
• Demonstrated success securing significant major and principal gifts at the seven-figure level.
• Track record of new donor acquisition and portfolio growth.
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills.
• Strategic and analytical thinker able to use data to drive fundraising results.
• Experience managing moves management, donor segmentation, and portfolio optimization systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence without authority to align individual giving with organizational priorities.

Education/Prof Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 7+ years of fundraising experience, including significant experience managing major or principal gift programs.

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Long - Term Incentive Eligible: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $157,655.00 - $197,069.00 per year. The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.