Vice President of Advancement

Mary Free BedGrand Rapids, MI, US

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Vice President of Advancement

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives. It's extraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients "Ask for Mary," they experience a culture that has been sculpted for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients and innovatively serve them. This is true of every employee, from support staff and leadership, to clinicians and care providers.

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed physicians, nurses and therapists help our patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care.

The Vice President of Advancement is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for advancing the philanthropic mission of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. This executive will lead all aspects of fundraising including donor engagement, capital campaigns, grant opportunities, annual giving and planned giving programs, building lasting relationships with donors and community partners, and secure financial support to enhance the hospital's innovative rehabilitation programs, capital projects, research, education, and patient care initiatives.

As a key member of the hospital's executive leadership team, the Vice President of Advancement works closely with the President / CEO, Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, Mary Free Bed Guild, Executive Leadership, Clinical and operational staff, and community stakeholders to cultivate a culture of philanthropy that aligns with the hospital's mission of restoring hope and freedom.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive philanthropic strategy with clear short- and long-term goals that align with the hospital's mission and strategic plan.
Lead and implement an integrated, systemwide fundraising approach to ensure consistency, equity, and coordinated impact across all hospital locations and partnerships.
Drive all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, mid-level giving, annual campaigns, planned giving, capital campaigns, and special initiatives.
Champion the Grateful Patient Program, providing meaningful pathways for patients and families to express gratitude through philanthropy.
Expand and lead national fundraising initiatives, such as the "Little by Little" campaign, engaging donors across diverse geographies.
Collaborate with hospital and Foundation communications teams to elevate impact storytelling, donor engagement, and brand alignment.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

Cultivate and steward relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors through tailored engagement strategies, including personalized outreach, intimate gatherings, and high-impact events.

Expand corporate and foundation giving through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and philanthropic alignment with shared values.

Oversee the development of endowed medical chairs and other restricted giving programs in partnership with clinical leaders and major donors.

Maintain strong relationships with legal and financial advisors to facilitate planned gifts, trusts, and legacy giving.

Board & Volunteer Leadership

Deepen the engagement of the Foundation Board and Hospital Board of Trustees, activating them as ambassadors, thought partners, and fundraising champions.

Provide guidance and support to fundraising committees and campaign steering groups, ensuring clarity of purpose and measurable impact.

Partner with volunteers and community leaders to extend the reach of the Foundation's mission and campaigns.

Operational Oversight & Team Development

Lead Foundation operations, including budgeting, compliance, performance monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.

Oversee donor database systems and ensure ethical, secure, and strategic use of donor data.

Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture that values innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.

Invest in staff development and succession planning to build long-term organizational capacity.

Internal Collaboration & External Representation

Partner with hospital leadership and clinical teams to align fundraising priorities with the hospital's evolving needs, communicating clear and compelling cases for support.

Serve as a liaison to public agencies, philanthropic institutions, and local / state government entities to cultivate funding partnerships and community investment.

Represent the Foundation and hospital at community events, conferences, and donor meetings to elevate visibility and trust.

Qualifications

Proven success in leading major fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns, planned giving, and donor engagement strategies.

A deep commitment to equity, community-centered philanthropy, and inclusive leadership.

Demonstrated experience collaborating with Boards, C-suite executives, and cross-functional teams in a mission-driven environment.

Expertise in donor relations, stewardship, and fund development operations, including CRM platforms and fundraising analytics.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and build trust.

A track record of mentoring high-performing teams and fostering inclusive organizational culture.

Leadership Must-Haves will be followed for patient and staff interactions :

We'll embrace all people by :

Treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.

Growing talent and people.

Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

Taking action against discrimination.

Honoring our differences and how we collaborate.

Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for.

Restoring hope and freedom, together.

Rounding

Thank You Notes

Employee Selection / Peer Interviewing

Key Words at Key Times

AIDET + Promise

Standards of Behavior

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient / family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

Education : Bachelor's Degree in allied health area, public administration or business administration.

Experience : At least 10 years of leadership experience. Significant fundraising experience. Strong understanding of donor stewardship, planned giving, and foundation / corporate fundraising. Strong understanding of leading major fundraising campaigns and securing significant philanthropic support. Proven ability to develop and nurture a growing foundation team. Proven ability to achieve revenue targets. Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base. Experience applying for and obtaining grants. High-energy, positive, "can-do" attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative with an ability to work independently. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and thorough understanding of strategic development. Ability to develop and manage budgets and prepare financial reports. Sense of urgency, collaborative team style, and ability to quickly adapt to changes in priorities with strong decision-making skills. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills. Ability to multi-task and delegate tasks for timely project completions. Accomplished leader with strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with a broad array of people. Demonstrated commitment to organizational mission with a "whatever it takes" attitude to get the job done. Strong verbal communication skills with ability to participate in public speaking events; ability to write clearly and persuasively. Information-management skills and ability to interpret, communicate, and present data. Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, Power Point and donor database systems.

Preferred Job Qualifications

Experience working in a healthcare setting

Masters Degree

CFRE certification

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Remain in a stationary position : Majority

Traverse or move around work location : None

Use keyboard : Frequently

Operate or use department specific equipment : None

Ascend / Descend equipment or ladder : None

Position self to accomplish the Essential

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Vice President Of Advancement • Grand Rapids, MI, US

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