Vice President of Philanthropy
Van Andel Institute - Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Institute seeks a Vice President of Philanthropy. The Vice President of Philanthropy will play a key role in the financial health and growth of Van Andel Institute (VAI). With an emphasis on relationship-based fundraising, the Vice President will develop strong connections to existing donors while seeking out and engaging new donors and supporters to maintain and expand VAI’s fundraising potential. The Vice President will collaborate with leadership, research, and education stakeholders to secure corporate, foundation, and individual gifts that support the Institute’s mission and priorities. As a successful fundraiser and a multifaceted leader, the Vice President will manage an evolving team with broad responsibility for foundation relations, major gifts, planned giving, special events, and VAI’s community engagement efforts, headlined by its Purple Community initiative. The Vice President will provide comprehensive and strategic leadership of philanthropic efforts and will be skilled at building effective relationships at multiple levels within a complex environment, including internally with leadership, scientists, educators, and other stakeholders, and externally with existing and prospective donors.
Van Andel Institute engages the world’s brightest minds and advances the boldest ideas in pursuit of the biggest breakthroughs for humanity. Van Andel Institute is home to more than 500 scientists, educators, and staff — each one of them deeply connected to the work and driven by an urgent desire to improve health and enhance lives. Through cutting-edge biomedical research, inspired scientific education, and relentless commitment, Van Andel Institute is unleashing innovations that will improve health and enhance lives for generations to come. Van Andel Institute is home to groundbreaking research fueled by collaboration, innovation, and hope. VAI scientists delve deep into the underpinnings of health and diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and metabolic disorders to drive new breakthroughs that change lives. Multiple world-renowned scientists contribute to a global and growing reputation in the departments of Epigenetics, Neurodegenerative Science, Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Structural Biology, and Cell Biology.
"Just over 27 years ago, Van Andel Institute opened its doors, welcoming the challenges of biomedical research and committing to unraveling the mysteries of the diseases affecting millions across the globe. Our organization, though relatively young compared to others like it, has made exceptional advances in a comparably short amount of time. As we expand our reach, this is an incredible opportunity for a strong strategic leader who can demonstrate a deep and sustainable background in cultivating donors across various sectors and marketplaces to expand our reach beyond our West Michigan roots. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment and shaping the Institute’s purposeful growth and mission. I look forward to exploring this opportunity with you, learning about your experiences, and recruiting a dynamic partner for our leadership team." — David Van Andel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.
Van Andel Institute engages the world’s brightest minds and advances the boldest ideas in pursuit of the biggest breakthroughs for humanity. Van Andel Institute is home to more than 500 scientists, educators, and staff — each one of them deeply connected to the work and driven by an urgent desire to improve health and enhance lives. Through cutting-edge biomedical research, inspired scientific education, and relentless commitment, Van Andel Institute is unleashing innovations that will improve health and enhance lives for generations to come. Van Andel Institute is home to groundbreaking research fueled by collaboration, innovation, and hope. VAI scientists delve deep into the underpinnings of health and diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and metabolic disorders to drive new breakthroughs that change lives. Multiple world-renowned scientists contribute to a global and growing reputation in the departments of Epigenetics, Neurodegenerative Science, Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Structural Biology, and Cell Biology.
"Just over 27 years ago, Van Andel Institute opened its doors, welcoming the challenges of biomedical research and committing to unraveling the mysteries of the diseases affecting millions across the globe. Our organization, though relatively young compared to others like it, has made exceptional advances in a comparably short amount of time. As we expand our reach, this is an incredible opportunity for a strong strategic leader who can demonstrate a deep and sustainable background in cultivating donors across various sectors and marketplaces to expand our reach beyond our West Michigan roots. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment and shaping the Institute’s purposeful growth and mission. I look forward to exploring this opportunity with you, learning about your experiences, and recruiting a dynamic partner for our leadership team." — David Van Andel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.