About Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, Inc. (VETS)
Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, Inc. (VETS) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the veteran suicide epidemic by expanding access to innovative mental health treatments for U.S. military veterans. Founded by veterans and advocates committed to addressing the invisible wounds of war, VETS works at the intersection of resources, research, and advocacy to support veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and other mental health conditions.
Through strategic partnerships, education, policy advocacy, and support programs, VETS seeks to accelerate access to psychedelic‑assisted therapies and other emerging treatment options that show promise for healing veterans and improving long‑term mental health outcomes. The organization has experienced rapid growth in recent years, fueled by national awareness, major philanthropic support, and the release of a widely viewed documentary that expanded the organization’s reach and donor base.
Today, VETS operates with a small but highly committed team working across the country and engages a broad network of advisors, contractors, ambassadors, and advocates supporting the mission. The organization has grown significantly in recent years, raising more than $6 million annually and expanding its national presence through research initiatives, advocacy coalitions, and direct veteran support programs. VETS operates with an entrepreneurial spirit and mission‑driven culture, where staff members are deeply connected to the cause and committed to driving meaningful change for veterans and their families.
Position Summary
VETS is seeking a relationship‑driven Major Gifts & Development Officer to expand and strengthen the organization’s philanthropic platform through strategic donor cultivation, stewardship, and comprehensive fundraising support. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), this full‑time role will serve as a key member of the development team and will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of high‑capacity donors while also supporting organization‑wide fundraising campaigns, appeals, events, and development operations.
This role blends frontline major gifts fundraising with broader development responsibilities, including donor communications, campaign execution, digital fundraising support, event engagement, and cross‑department collaboration. The Officer will support donor appeals, campaign initiatives, and year‑end fundraising efforts and collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment between donor engagement, marketing, communications, and organizational priorities.
The ideal candidate is a proactive and relational fundraiser who combines strong major gifts experience with exceptional communication skills, organizational discipline, and a passion for serving veterans and their families. This position is well‑suited for a motivated professional who thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial, mission‑driven environment and enjoys engaging donors at all levels to inspire transformational support.
While this position will be performed primarily remotely, the Major Gifts & Development Officer will be expected to travel occasionally for donor meetings, events, and conferences.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
Major Gifts Fundraising & Donor Engagement
- Manage and grow an active portfolio of approximately 50–75 major gift prospects and donors, following strategic priorities established in partnership with the CDO and CEO.
- Achieve assigned annual fundraising goals and activity metrics, including donor visits, solicitations, stewardship touchpoints, and revenue targets.
- Implement individualized donor engagement and moves‑management strategies to ensure consistent cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity.
- Conduct meaningful donor engagement through in‑person meetings, virtual meetings, calls, events, and written communications.
- Partner with the CDO and CEO on strategy and solicitations for principal and top‑tier donors.
- Prepare and present donor‑facing materials including proposals, impact reports, briefing documents, stewardship communications, and campaign‑specific materials.
- Support planned giving conversations and stewardship initiatives as directed by the CDO.
Development & Fundraising Campaign Support
- Support organization‑wide fundraising campaigns, including annual appeals, digital fundraising initiatives, mid‑level donor outreach, and year‑end campaigns.
- Collaborate with marketing and communications to ensure donor messaging, storytelling, and campaign materials align with organizational priorities.
- Assist with donor segmentation, prospecting, and pipeline development across all giving levels.
- Contribute to development strategy discussions, revenue forecasting, and donor reporting for leadership.
- Support cross‑functional initiatives that advance organizational growth, mission visibility, and donor engagement.
- Serve as a visible and passionate ambassador for VETS among donors, community leaders, advocates, and supporters nationwide.
- Support fundraising events and donor cultivation activities, including the annual gala and other strategic engagements.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in major gifts, individual giving, or frontline fundraising with demonstrated success securing five‑ and six‑figure gifts.
- Proven experience managing donor portfolios and executing moves‑management strategies.
- Strong ability to cultivate, steward, and maintain long‑term donor relationships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
- Self‑motivated and highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment with evolving priorities.
- Experience using fundraising CRM systems and donor management platforms.
- Understanding of and commitment to the VETS mission and the organization’s work supporting veterans.
- Ability to work remotely and travel occasionally for donor meetings, events, and conferences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- CFRE or ACFRE certification.
- Experience with Salesforce, Monday.com, G‑Suite, Kindful/Kindsite, Classy, or similar fundraising and donor management platforms.
- Experience working with veteran communities, mental health initiatives, healthcare innovation, or advocacy‑focused organizations.
Compensation and Benefits
This position offers a competitive salary range and comprehensive benefits package commensurate with experience.
POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITING
Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions and The Batten Group are equal opportunity employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.
The Batten Group is committed to recruiting, selecting, and placing candidates based on qualifications, merit, and alignment with the mission and values of the organizations we serve.
