Division of Philanthropy

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Division of Philanthropy Careers

View Our Open Positions in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Division of Philanthropy"

About the Division of Philanthropy

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Division of Philanthropy, supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, seeks passionate, focused, and resourceful fundraising and operations staff who want to work in a collaborative and rewarding environment. In the fiscal year 2022, the Division of Philanthropy raised over $398 million due to the hard work of our 290+ dedicated staff and committed donors working together to achieve Dana-Farber’s mission to create a world without cancer.

Dana-Farber is currently in the largest and most ambitious fundraising effort in the Institute’s history – The Dana-Farber Campaign | Defy Cancer. Launched publicly in May 2021, the goal of the $2 billion campaign is to defy cancer at every turn and harness new techniques and technologies to prevent, treat, and defy cancer, resulting in more lives saved, more families intact, more dreams realized. The comprehensive campaign is coordinated around four pillars that build on our strengths and will accelerate our progress – Revolutionary Science, Extraordinary Care, and Exceptional Expertise – as well as the mission critical flexible funds that will allow us to change the face of cancer forever.

Attend a Philanthropy Information Session!

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. It is the only center ranked in the top 5 of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals for both adult and pediatric cancer care.

If you are interested in learning more about the Division of Philanthropy, please join us at an upcoming Information Session. This session is open to all prospective candidates, regardless of level of experience. At this session, we will provide an overview of the teams that comprise the Division of Philanthropy, share information about potential job opportunities, and give you the chance to connect and network with members of our Philanthropy team.

Click the link below and e-mail us to request information about our next Philanthropy Information Session.

Attend A Philanthropy Information Session

The Division of Philanthropy is committed to being a workplace that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable. Our Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Commitment Statement anchors us:

We’re stronger together.

In the Division of Philanthropy, we believe in the power of different voices. We encourage authenticity and diversity of every individual within our community. Our collective voices – donors, volunteers, staff, and patients alike – allow us to work together towards a world without cancer. Committed to being a place of inclusivity, belonging, and change, these are our core values.

We’re seeking a variety of backgrounds and expertise on our teams. Where will you make the greatest impact?

Administration

Administration oversees and drives staffing, learning & development, and operations functions for the Division of Philanthropy’s 290+ staff.

Annual Giving

Annual Giving encompasses several vehicles of giving including annual, renewable, unrestricted, or restricted, current use outright gifts of $1 to $100,000/$250,000 and unrestricted through three programs: Direct Marketing, Prospect Management including Palm Beach fundraising, and Special Programs.

Boston Marathon^®
Jimmy Fund Walk

The Boston Marathon^® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s signature fundraising event. The Walk features four different routes along the famed Boston Marathon^® course as well as the option to participate virtually. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $160 million since its inception in 1989, and it is the highest fundraising single-day event in the nation.

Campaign

The campaign team is responsible for the strategic planning, management, implementation, and oversight of all activities related to The Dana-Farber Campaign.

Communications

Philanthropy Communications is a dynamic team of mission-driven project managers/writers, graphic designers, and production professionals handling all facets of marketing for events and initiatives serving the Division of Philanthropy. Projects include marketing collateral, publications, proposals, video, animation, special projects, and content for multiple digital platforms.

Corporate Partnerships

Corporate Partnerships secures philanthropic support from companies and corporate foundations through major gifts and grants, creative cause marketing partnerships, and sponsorships for Jimmy Fund events.

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies and tactics to maximize online giving, event participation, volunteering, and engagement.

Donor Relations

Donor Relations builds lifelong relationships with donors by recognizing their contributions, sharing progress updates, and demonstrating the impact their giving has on our shared goal to reduce the burden of cancer.

Event Fundraising

Event Fundraising delivers events that inspire and engage the community in the Jimmy Fund’s mission. Event fundraising specialists coordinate the fundraising strategy and logistics for signature Jimmy Fund events, including multiple Red Sox programs, virtual online gaming, and an all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Additionally, prospect managers maintain a robust portfolio of volunteer-run events each year.

Finance

Internal finance, fiscal & regulatory management teams provide expertise and management in gift processing, revenue and expense management, and regulatory compliance.

Foundation Relations

Foundation Relations strategically seeks charitable support from foundations for Institutional priorities, disease centers, departments, and programs.

Information Systems

Philanthropy IS supports applications, associated devices, and processes related to donor management and revenue generation specific to DFCI’s Division of Philanthropy’s 18 business & service units. Philanthropy IS provides a range of services to assist with the achievement of revenue goals and operational efficiencies by focusing on maintaining strong relationships, understanding priorities, and bringing solutions forward. The teams have broad and deep IT expertise customized for the ever-changing DFCI Philanthropy environment.

Jimmy Fund Golf

Jimmy Fund Golf partners annually with thousands of volunteer tournament organizers, sponsors, and golfers. Established in 1983, it is one of the nation's oldest and largest charity golf programs and has raised over $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Operations & Strategic Planning

Operations & Strategic Planning manages Division-wide policies, implementing and executing strategies that enhance the performance of the Division maximizing fundraising efforts.

Planned Giving

Planned Giving educates and cultivates donors, advisors, volunteers, and trustees about utilizing estate planning vehicles such as bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, life insurance, retirement plan assets, real estate, pooled income funds, and other gift arrangements to provide future support to the Institute.

Principal & Major Gifts

Principal & Major Gifts raises money through long-term cultivation and engagement with high net-worth individuals and families with capacity and inclination to make a major gift.

Prospect Research

Prospect Research provides timely, accurate, and relevant background information about existing and potential donors.

Running Programs

Running Programs offers individuals and groups the opportunity to raise funds for Dana-Farber through several renowned road races.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

Learning & Development

Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

Volunteer Opportunities

Community Involvement

Generous Time Off

Transportation Reimbursement

Flexible Work Environment

Hear Their Stories

“My work has meaning and impact. I proudly tell people I work at Dana-Farber & the Jimmy Fund. When I was in a coffee shop a few years ago a man saw my ID badge and shook my hand to thank me. He told me because of the work we did his family member lived an extra 5 years. If this doesn’t motivate you to love what you do I’m not sure what will. This is why I work at Dana-Farber.” John
“I started here as a Co-op from Northeastern University several years ago. I was drawn to Dana-Farber’s impressive philanthropy efforts and I continue to feel immense pride knowing that I’m a part of such an exceptional research and care Institute. It is so motivating to work at a place that helps so many patients and their families, including my dad, who is now cancer-free thanks to Dana-Farber’s world-class faculty!” Kay
“Dana-Farber's Division of Philanthropy has been the best place I have ever worked, period. I am in awe of the tremendous people at Dana-Farber: my talented and dedicated colleagues in Philanthropy, the outstanding physician-scientists, nurses, and support staff at the Institute, the generous donors and committed volunteers, and the patients and families whose courage inspires me.” Michael
“One of my favorite activities afforded to me by working in the Division is the opportunity to volunteer at the Jimmy Fund events, like Fantasy Day and Radio-Telethon. I first volunteered at Radio-Telethon in 2019 and was assigned to answer the phones of callers making a donation. This experience gave me firsthand insight into why the work of the Division is so important - many of the people I spoke with that evening were former patients, knew someone who was treated at Dana-Farber, or was simply a regular supporter of the Jimmy Fund because of the Red Sox. It was touching to hear their many stories and be able to help them make their own contribution to easing the burden of cancer. It's also a lot of fun to have insider access at Fenway!”Alison

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The Opportunity to Change a Life Begins with Dana-Farber