ABOUT TGF: The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) is dedicated to improving the lives of people with glaucoma. Founded in 1984, TGF works to encourage and support basic and applied research in glaucoma with a goal of preserving and restoring vision. TGF strives to be an important resource to help patients, their families, and at-risk individuals to manage their glaucoma through education and outreach.

TGF also works to gain and disseminate new information about the causes and treatment of glaucoma, and to further efforts to identify and develop novel approaches to preserve visual function and reverse blindness caused by glaucoma.

• The Foundation’s Grant-in-Aid Program has awarded millions of dollars in seed money for cutting-edge research projects. Preliminary data from these projects have frequently been used to support proposals for larger grants from entities such as the National Institutes of Health.
• TGF’s interdisciplinary Annual International Scientific Think Tank has brought together some of the world’s top scientists and clinicians. These gatherings continue to be a catalyst for setting the course to find new treatments and cures for glaucoma.
• Headquartered in New York City, TGF serves patients across the globe through its website and online support groups.

• The organization’s “Eye to Eye” newsletter keeps thousands of households worldwide informed about research news and other developments, and includes such informative features as “Doctor, I Have A Question.” An electronic newsletter is sent out bi-monthly.

For more information about TGF, please visit their website glaucomafoundation.org and click here to view their YouTube video.

THE OPPORTUNITY: Working closely with and reporting to Elena Sturman, President & Chief Executive Officer, the Major Gift Officer (MGO) will identify and cultivate relationships with existing donors and new prospective individual donors. A key priority is to identify, build, and tap into a pipeline of new donors in addition to TGF’s current supporters.

The MGO will engage in prospect research, cultivation and stewardship activities, and develop effective solicitation strategies and tactics. The MGO will manage a portfolio of donors and help to manage and steward relationships and processes. The MGO will focus on gifts of $25,000 or greater.

FUNDING: TGF has a 2025 annual operating budget of approximately $3 million, primarily from contributed revenue and program fees. TGF has an endowment with a current market value of approximately $10 million and total assets of more than $16 million.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated record of success securing individual gifts in a relevant not-for-profit setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a CEO.
• Knowledge of best practices in the not-for-profit community, ideally among groups seeking to support medical research.
• An engaging, charismatic, and energetic self-starter.
• Strong work ethic and a drive to succeed.
• Polished communication skills; able to articulate the organization’s message and mission to a broad range of constituents, both in verbal and written form.
• Sharp and intellectually curious—a quick study who is able to grasp and understand health-related subject matter.
• Entrepreneurial and creative.
• A collaborative style.
• Well-honed relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and maturity.
• A genuine interest in the TGF mission.
• Undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

The annual compensation for this role is $150,000 commensurate with experience and accomplishments, plus attractive benefits.