Director, Institutional Philanthropy

Department Overview

Ronald McDonald House® is an independent, nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that cares for families when they have children who are ill or injured. Through a global network of 250+ independently operated Chapters in 60+ countries and regions, we surround families with the resources, services, and support they need, removing barriers so they can be at the heart of their child’s care and ensure the best possible health outcomes. Ronald McDonald House strives to be part of the solution to the challenges families face when a child needs healthcare, whether that means staying close to a hospitalized child, affording to remain together while a child undergoes treatment far from home, or accessing basic medical and dental care in underserved communities. Through our resources and community partnerships, we help families gain access to healthcare services and stay together during critical moments in their children’s lives. We are enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model, in which Ronald McDonald House Global employees spend part of their week connecting with co-workers in our state-of-the-art McDonald’s headquarters in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago. For more information, visit ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

The Philanthropy team leads the execution of Ronald McDonald House’s global fundraising in support of the organization’s bold 2030 ambitions: to double the number of families served worldwide, address the most critical unmet needs of families, advance family‑centered care as the global standard, and sustain system‑wide revenue above $1 billion. The team drives significant philanthropic revenue while simultaneously building the systems, capabilities and culture required to scale fundraising impact across the global system. The Philanthropy team is responsible for generating approximately $30+ million annually in philanthropic funds through a diverse and growing portfolio of revenue streams. These include corporate partnerships, individual and major gifts, planned giving, foundation grants, cause‑related marketing and signature events.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Director, Institutional Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for Ronald McDonald House’s global corporate and foundation revenue portfolio. This includes corporate and foundation philanthropy, cause marketing and employee engagement activations. This role is responsible for driving significant support from new and existing partners, overseeing a high‑performing institutional giving team, and managing pipeline development, partnership strategies, and stewardship approaches that advance organizational fundraising priorities. The Director personally manages a portfolio of high‑value corporate and foundation prospects and partners, securing substantial new and increased commitments. This leader collaborates closely with other revenue directors and partners across the organization to ensure alignment and integration of institutional giving strategies with broader organizational goals and enterprise‑wide fundraising initiatives.

Duties

Strategy & Leadership

• Lead the strategy and execution for institutional giving, including all aspects of corporate and foundation giving (e.g., new business development, existing partnership growth, cause marketing activations, foundation relationships).


• Set fundraising goals, monitor team progress, and adjust strategies to meet annual and long-term targets.


• Provide tools and guidance for institutional giving at the global, national and chapter level.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage a team of corporate and foundation philanthropy professionals, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.


• Ensure alignment of institutional fundraising efforts with broader organizational priorities. Oversee pipeline development, prospecting, and proposal strategies for new and existing donors to secure new multi-year commitments.

New Partnerships Development

• Lead cultivation and solicitation for new institutional partnerships.


• Manage a personal portfolio with a revenue goal through new opportunities.


• Work collaboratively with Ronald McDonald House system leaders to collaboratively prospect, cultivate, solicit and steward donors.


• Ensure prospect research is maximized by the team to identify and cultivate prospective donors.

Legacy Partnerships

• Serve as senior relationship manager for select legacy partners.


• Provide strategic engagement with senior partner representatives and Ronald McDonald House organizational leadership.


• Ensure high-quality stewardship, reporting, and renewal strategies for key institutional donors.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with program, communications, marketing and finance teams to ensure alignment between organizational priorities, revenue generation strategies and proposals and donor interests.


• Work closely with leadership to align institutional giving strategy with organizational goals and initiatives.


• Advise senior leaders on donor engagement, solicitation strategies, and stewardship opportunities.


• Build relationships with system leaders to advance fundraising and create collaboration between global, national and local giving.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Monitor key performance indicators and provide regular reporting on institutional giving outcomes.


• Analyze fundraising results to inform strategy and identify opportunities for growth.


• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and donor confidentiality.

Qualifications

Professional Experience / Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 7+ years of fundraising experience, with significant expertise in institutional giving, including corporate partnerships and cause marketing, or foundation relations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proven ability to lead and develop high‑performing institutional giving teams


• Deep expertise in corporate partnerships, cause marketing, and foundation relations, with strong knowledge of institutional fundraising best practices.


• Demonstrated success securing significant multi‑year corporate and foundation commitments, including seven‑figure gifts.


• Strong record of pipeline development and portfolio growth through both new business acquisition and expansion of existing partner relationships.


• Exceptional relationship‑building and communication skills, with experience engaging senior‑level donor and partner representatives.


• Strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to use data, forecasting, and market insights to drive institutional fundraising results.


• Expertise in moves management, partnership strategies, and revenue forecasting, with experience developing and optimizing systems that strengthen institutional giving performance.


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence without authority to align institutional giving with organizational priorities.

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Long - Term Incentive Eligible: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

The position offers health and welfare benefits, including but not limited to comprehensive health insurance, which includes medical, prescription drug, mental health, dental and vision coverage, as well as, life insurance

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $157,655.00 - $197,069.00 per year. The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.