Job Seekers

About Huntington's Disease Foundation

The Huntington's Disease Foundation (HDF), formerly known as the Hereditary Disease Foundation, is a nationally respected nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to advancing groundbreaking scientific research to better understand, treat, and ultimately cure Huntington’s disease (HD). Since its founding in 1968, HDF has played a catalytic role in the scientific community, supporting innovative researchers and funding transformative discoveries that move the field toward clinical application.

 

Unlike many HD organizations that focus primarily on patient services, HDF’s core identity is research leadership. The Foundation funds grants for early-career scientists and senior researchers, and large-scale transformative, collaborative scientific initiatives that accelerate progress toward treatments. HDF also convenes workshops, webinars, and scientific conferences and gatherings that connect leading researchers and foster collaboration.

 

Operating with a small but highly experienced remote team, HDF “punches above its weight class,” funding more than $3 million in research annually and stewarding significant gifts, bequests, and legacy support. The organization values trust, collaboration, initiative, and deep empathy for families impacted by Huntington’s disease.

 

Position Summary

The Director of Development is the chief architect and driver of HDF’s annual fundraising strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with Board leadership and staff, this role is responsible for designing, implementing, and executing a comprehensive development plan that grows unrestricted and program support for the Foundation’s expanding research portfolio.

 

This leader will manage year-round fundraising activities, oversee major initiatives including regional cultivation events, and build meaningful relationships with donors, scientists, board members, and partners. The Director will also help shape strategy for major gift prospects able to give $50,000+, while building long-term strength in corporate, foundation, and planned giving programs.

 

This is a high-impact, hands-on role suited for a strategic yet entrepreneurial development professional who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and is motivated by scientific advancement and urgent unmet need. The Director of Development will work from a home-based office.

 

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Design and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising plan in partnership with the CEO and Board leadership, aligned with organizational priorities and research funding goals
• Establish multi-year development strategies that grow unrestricted revenue, research funding capacity, and long-term sustainability
• Develop annual revenue projections, campaign goals, and performance benchmarks
• Provide regular reporting and analysis on fundraising performance, pipeline health, and strategic opportunities
• Serve as the organization’s internal leader on development strategy, helping staff and board members understand fundraising priorities and best practices

 

Major Gifts & Individual Philanthropy

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects ($50,000+) and leadership donors
• Partner with the CEO and Board members on strategy, donor engagement, and high-level solicitations
• Build personalized engagement strategies for top donors and donor families
• Develop and implement plans to transition small- and mid-level donors toward major giving
• Oversee donor recognition, stewardship reporting, and impact communications to ensure meaningful and ongoing engagement

 

Corporate, Foundation & Institutional Giving

• Expand revenue from corporate and foundation partners through prospecting, relationship-building, and strategic alignment
• Develop compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports in collaboration with program and research leadership
• Maintain an active pipeline of institutional prospects and manage submission calendars and deadlines
• Identify opportunities for sponsorships, cause marketing, and corporate engagement tied to events or research initiatives

 

Events & Campaigns

• Oversee planning and execution of major fundraising initiatives, including the annual large fundraising events and regional cultivation events
• Work with staff and consultants to design and implement quarterly fundraising campaigns and year-round appeals
• Evaluate fundraising events and campaigns to measure financial and relationship return on investment
• Identify and pilot new fundraising initiatives, digital campaigns, and peer-driven engagement opportunities

 

Planned Giving & Legacy Development

• Lead implementation and growth of a planned giving and legacy program
• Educate donors and advisors about estate planning opportunities that benefit the Foundation
• Steward legacy donors and families with long-term relationship strategies and recognition programs

 

Donor Engagement & Communications

• Build and steward relationships with donors, families, scientists, and constituents through personalized outreach across email, phone, digital, and in-person channels
• Collaborate with communications and marketing partners to create compelling fundraising materials, impact stories, and donor communications
• Ensure consistent messaging that clearly communicates the urgency and impact of the Foundation’s research mission

 

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Support Board members in their fundraising roles through strategy development, briefing materials, and follow-up
• Help cultivate board prospects and engage volunteer ambassadors in fundraising efforts
• Provide development updates and tools to strengthen board engagement in donor relationships

 

Systems, Data & Operations

• Use research tools and donor databases (Raiser’s Edge) to guide segmentation, prospecting, and moves management
• Ensure accurate gift processing, donor records, and reporting in collaboration with administrative staff
• Develop and maintain short- and long-range development calendars and tracking systems
• Establish data-informed decision-making practices to refine strategy and improve performance

 

Collaboration & Organizational Partnership

• Collaborate with scientific leadership to translate research priorities into compelling funding cases
• Serve as a key ambassador for the organization with external stakeholders, partners, and at events
• Contribute to a collaborative, flexible team culture grounded in trust, accountability, and shared mission

 

Candidate Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including major gifts
• Demonstrated success raising $500K–$1.5M+ annually in unrestricted or research-focused funding
• Experience building or expanding development programs in growing organizations
• Proven ability to cultivate and steward high-net-worth donors and family philanthropists
• Experience with foundation and corporate fundraising strategies
• Familiarity with planned giving or legacy fundraising programs
• Strong relationship-building skills marked by empathy, listening, and donor-centered communication
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple initiatives, and thrive in a small-team, remote environment
• Comfortable collaborating across staff, consultants, scientists, and board leadership
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with donor databases such as Raiser’s Edge; familiarity with FreeWill or similar tools is a plus
• Alignment with HDF’s research-driven mission and urgency around Huntington’s disease
• Willingness to travel periodically (approximately 20%) for events and donor engagement
• Bachelor’s degree required

 

POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITING

The Batten Group and Huntington's Disease Foundation are equal-opportunity employers committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.