Description

The Role

The Director of Development will lead and execute Save Sight Now’s fundraising efforts, with a primary focus on major gifts, sponsorship, and event-driven revenue. This role is responsible for driving meaningful revenue growth during a critical stage as the organization advances toward clinical readiness.

This is a hands-on role for someone who can translate relationships into revenue, manage donor engagement directly, and follow through consistently. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board, this person will own day-to-day fundraising execution while helping shape a focused and effective development function.

About Save Sight Now

Save Sight Now is a Bay Area-based nonprofit funding translational research to develop treatments for Usher syndrome type 1B—a rare inherited retinal disease and the leading genetic cause of deaf-blindness in children.

Founded in 2019, the organization has raised over $3 million to support early translational programs and is now entering a critical phase as work advances toward clinical readiness. This next stage requires focused, consistent fundraising execution to expand revenue and support the path to human trials.

Requirements

Major Gifts & Donor Strategy 

• Build and manage a major donor pipeline
• Lead outreach, follow-up, and stewardship
• Develop and execute donor cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Identify and qualify new donor prospects 

Events, Sponsorship & Revenue Growth 

• Own and drive the annual gala as the primary fundraising event
• Develop and lead sponsorship strategy, outreach, and closing
• Support additional events that deepen donor relationships and generate revenue 

Fundraising Strategy & Execution 

• Develop and manage the annual fundraising plan and revenue targets
• Track pipeline, progress, and follow-through
• Maintain clear communication with leadership and Board
• Bring structure and consistency to donor management and internal processes 

Secondary / Supporting Responsibilities 

• Coordinate with external grant writers or advisors as needed
• Maintain reliable donor tracking and reporting systems
• Recommend lightweight tools or support where helpful

 
 
Who This Role Is For

• 10+ years in nonprofit development or fundraising
• Demonstrated track record of personally closing major gifts, including gifts in the five- and six-figure range preferred
• Experience leading fundraising events or comparable revenue-generating initiatives
• Comfortable working directly with founders, boards, and donors
• Able to operate independently and follow through without heavy infrastructure
• Strong organization, communication, and accountability
• Interest in healthcare, science, or mission-driven work preferred

 
Details

• Time Commitment: ~40 hours per week
• Structure: Full-time Contract, embedded leadership role
• Compensation: $11,500–$13,500 per month (based on scope and experience, with performance-based bonus)
• Location: Remote (West Coast preferred)

Contact

• If this role sounds aligned — or if you know someone exceptional who might be a fit — please reach out: Email: info@savesightnow.org