CURE International is a global nonprofit network of children’s hospitals whose mission is to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God (Luke 9:2). They provide surgical care to children living with disabilities in a compassionate, gospel-centered environment. Services are provided at no cost to families because of the generosity of donors and partners around the world.
The Chief Donor Relations Officer will report to the CEO and serve as a key Executive team member. This new position is responsible for leading a team of 15+ in the strategic direction and day-to-day management of three teams: Grants, Donor Care, and Major Gifts for the organization.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
In 1986, Dr. C. Scott Harrison, a successful orthopedic surgeon and international businessman, was asked to perform spine surgery and teach higher-level orthopedic surgery skills to local medical practitioners in Malawi. Over the years, Scott and his wife, Sally, a registered nurse, returned to Malawi on many occasions to help children with disabilities. The great physical and spiritual needs of these children weighed heavily on their hearts, and they wanted to do something more about it, so in 1996, the Harrisons founded CURE International. Two years later, CURE’s first hospital opened in Kijabe, Kenya.
Today, CURE International has eight hospitals—located in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, The Philippines, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe—that provide surgical care for children. They have performed more than 350,000 surgeries over the years shared the hope of Jesus with more than 2 million people. Last year alone, CURE served over 20,000 children and their families with life-changing surgical care.
Headquartered in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, CURE has a U.S. staff of 55 and more than 1400 internationally. Their operating budget in fiscal 2025 is $40 million—more than $55 million when taking in account capital funds and money raised locally by their hospitals—and continues to grow year over year. About fifty percent comes from major donors, 25% from foundations, grants and USAID, less than 10% from Gifts in Kind, and the remainder comes from individual and monthly donors. They also have a 14,000 sq. ft. distribution center located in nearby Spring Lake as well as offices in the UK and Canada.
Under the direction of an International Board of Directors, CURE is led by President & CEO, Justin Narducci, who has been with the organization for almost five years. He is joined by a leadership team made up of their Chief Medical Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Ministry Officer, Chief Program Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, and this new role of Chief Donor Relations Officer.
HOW THEY ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION
CURE provides life-changing surgeries and shares the love of Jesus to children with disabilities through their global network of eight charitable children’s hospitals. They also provide training and support for families, communities and local healthcare systems to alleviate barriers facing disabled children. Programs include:
PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS SURGICAL CARE
CURE provides no-cost surgical care to children living with disabilities like clubfoot, cleft lip/palate, knock knees, bowed legs, and hydrocephalus at their eight children's hospitals around the world.
SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST WITH PATIENTS
Every day, their ministry teams share the gospel message and the hope of Christ with patients and their families through relevant and child-friendly resources.
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SURGEONS
In addition to direct patient care, CURE has residency and fellowship programs to equip local healthcare workers provide sustainable care for patients in the countries where they serve.
REACHING VULNERABLE CHILDREN & COMMUNITIES
In partnership with local pastors, leaders, and governments, CURE hosts mobile clinics in remote regions to share the love of God and screen patients who are most in need of care.
CURE International Children’s Hospitals are high-quality facilities with specialty trained surgeons, clinical staff and caregivers providing comprehensive care for children with disabilities. From pre-surgery evaluation, through surgeries, physical therapy, and mobility device fitting, children receive the very best care possible that will change their lives forever.
CURE VALUES
All team members of CURE are expected to support and embody the following values:
Christ-Like Compassion—We respond to meet the needs of children and families with kindness, mercy, and healing. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Joy in Service—We love serving children and helping them live life to its fullest. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalm 100:2)
Faithfulness in Prayer—We depend on God alone who is the source of changed lives and transformed communities. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Integrity Always—We do the right thing and keep our promises. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Corinthians 8:21)
Intentional Relationships—We humbly collaborate with our patients, partners, and colleagues for multiplied impact. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)
Commitment to Excellence—We strive to deliver the highest standard of care and professionalism in our work. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
CURE is known by its supporters as a ministry that is focused on providing quality medical care for kids with disabilities and for doing so in very "hands and feet of Jesus" ways. They are continuing to grow rapidly, up from $25 million in 2020 to more than $50 million today. They are also 95% of the way to reaching their $40 million goal in a two-year capital campaign for hospital improvements.
The best way to describe the culture at CURE is healthy and excited about the future. The team is highly productive, professional, intentional, focused, relational, caring, committed, and built on the CURE values. It is “high expectations, high performance.” Theirs is a compelling mission that is laser-focused and meets a very practical need in the world. At the same time, there is a need to serve existing donors well, expand their donor base and expand clinical services while modernizing their technology and systems.
In this new role, the individual will report directly to CEO Justin Narducci and serve as part of the eight-person Executive Team. Justin seeks a partner to collaborate with him in providing leadership for the ministry, specifically in the areas of grants (foundation relationships), major donor relations, and donor care. While Justin will continue to work with CURE’s largest donors, he is looking for some to work closely with him on with all other donor levels.
CURE practices a high-level of accountability with its major donors and foundations that includes regular stewardship reporting. This person, therefore, should be able to provide oversight, input, and direction on proposals, reports, and donor engagement plans relevant to their gifts and giving interests. For all other donors, CURE seeks thoughtful engagement plans that provide a personal touch and intentional hospitality whenever possible.
The ideal candidate will have successfully led and grown a similar team in a previous organization. This person should have a personal passion for caring for donors as people and wanting what is best for them, not just what CURE can receive from them. The CDRO will have full authority to design and implement donor engagement strategies, working in collaboration with the Executive Team.
The role requires a proven fundraiser who is also a leader, strategist, administrator, and executor. Financial acumen is essential, as is the ability to balance relational and detail-oriented work within all aspects of donor care. The candidate must be fully committed to the mission of CURE, capable of casting vision, motivating a team, and building clear systems and standards for a successful donor engagement strategy. They should also be able to meet with high-level donors themselves. Familiarity with tools like Salesforce and WealthEngine is a plus.
The successful candidate may currently be serving as a CEO of a similar but smaller international ministry or might be stepping up from a comparable role within a smaller organization.
POSITION PROFILE
Position Title: Chief Donor Relations Officer
Reports to: President & CEO
Direct Reports: Director(s) of Grants, Major Gifts, and Donor Care will report into this role. Markeitng and communications, however, will not.
Location: Grand Rapids Preferred, Remote for the right candidate
OVERVIEW
The Chief Donor Relations Officer (CDRO) is an Executive leader responsible for overseeing and advancing CURE’s donor engagement, grants, and major gifts initiatives. This role provides strategic direction and hands-on leadership to ensure that all donor relations efforts align with CURE’s mission and long-term organizational goals. The CDRO plays a pivotal role in cultivating relationships with major donors, foundations, and general supporters, ensuring meaningful engagement, high-quality communication, and impactful donor stewardship.
This role is ideal for a seasoned non-profit professional who is passionate about building lasting relationships with donors, managing a high-performing team, and supporting CURE’s mission of providing life-changing healthcare and the love of Christ to children in need. The CDRO will be instrumental in driving CURE’s growth, enhancing donor satisfaction, and ensuring the sustainability of the organization’s impactful work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Grants/Foundation Relations
Lead the Grants team to identify and secure high-impact funding opportunities, ensuring alignment with CURE's mission and strategic goals.
Develop and maintain relationships with major foundations and governmental donors, ensuring regular communication and deepening engagement (approximately 100 accounts).
Set strategic direction and oversee the creation of compelling grant proposals, reports, and applications, ensuring timely submission and measurable outcomes.
Collaborate across teams to provide programmatic input and ensure that funding strategies align with operational priorities.
Major Gifts
Personally manage a portfolio of key major donors, fostering meaningful relationships and creating customized engagement strategies.
Oversee the Major Gifts team, ensuring the effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth individuals (approximately 400 donors).
Establish measurable goals for donor engagement, including personalized touchpoints, events, and impact reporting, to deepen donor loyalty.
Expand Planned and Estate Giving programs, creating sustainable, long-term funding pipelines.
Lead key CURE donor events, including President’s Weekend, to strengthen donor relationships and showcase CURE’s mission impact.
Donor Care
Direct and innovate engagement strategies for monthly, mid-level, and general donors, emphasizing personalized touchpoints and gratitude (approximately 20,000 donors).
Oversee the timely and meaningful acknowledgment of all gifts, ensuring donors feel valued and recognized
Establish clear metrics for donor care success, focusing on retention, satisfaction, and lifetime value.
Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the donor journey, addressing risks and implementing necessary improvements.
General Leadership & Management
Establish and track fundraising goals and metrics across all donor relations functions, aligning departmental efforts with organizational objectives.
Develop and manage the departmental budget in coordination with the CFO, monitoring expenses and ensuring adherence to budgetary guidelines.
Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-achieving team culture that promotes donor retention, deepens engagement, and attracts new high-potential supporters.
Design effective strategies for internal communication, keeping the team informed about key programs and developments relevant to donor outreach.
Innovate and implement creative stewardship practices to surprise, delight, and express gratitude to donors, enhancing their commitment to CURE.
Maintain accurate donor records in the database, ensuring all information is up-to-date and easily accessible.
SUCCESS METRICS
The CDRO will be responsible for the tracking and improvement of the following success metrics:
Annual donor retention for each donor segment
New donor retention with targets for each channel
Promotion of existing donors to new giving levels (i.e. mid to major)
Specific engagement plans
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The candidate must have a strong Christian faith lived out in practical ways, coupled with the ability to provide wisdom and spiritual leadership.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, business or similar field; MBA, MPA, MPH or similar advanced degree strongly preferred.
Ten or more (10+) years of relevant fundraising (including major donors) non-profit leadership experience managing multiple departments, with international health and/or development experience preferred.
Five or more (5+) years of senior-level management experience with a proven record of success, including progressive responsibility in managing, coaching and inspiring direct reports.
Must have significant experience in writing grant proposals and reports. Proven track record of successful grant applications and detailed reporting is essential.
Excellent communication skills are a must, including the ability to craft compelling presentations, proposals, and reports. Proficiency in email communications and the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences is required.
Proven track record of personal success engaging and stewarding major donors, as well as foundations and high-net-worth individuals.
Appreciation for a high-performing culture that values teamwork, integrity, excellence, and dedication to the mission.
Extreme attention to detail is crucial to ensure accuracy in all aspects of work, including documentation and communication.
A keen eye for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; experience improving effectiveness of an operation by establishing goals and performance standards.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Demonstrated ability to integrate a strong Christian faith with professional responsibilities, providing spiritual and strategic leadership.
Proven ability to establish and cultivate long-term relationships with donors, peers, and external partners, exemplifying humility and intentional collaboration.
Strong organizational and project management skills, capable of balancing competing priorities in a dynamic, international environment.
Analytical acumen to assess donor data, trends, and campaign performance, enabling data-driven decisions and strategies.
Familiarity with CRM platforms like Salesforce and donor analytics tools such as WealthEngine to optimize engagement efforts.
COMPETENCIES
1. Visioning—Able to pursue potential expansion opportunities for the organization; champion radically different ideas and be a leader in the organization; identify long-term goals and invest appropriate resources as needed; communicate vision in a way that inspires others.
2. Leadership— Able to assume a role of authority as necessary; advocate new ideas, even when risk is involved; set an example for co-workers; delegate responsibility and empower direct reports to make decisions; provide constructive feedback to others.
3. Negotiating—Able to obtain agreement from multiple parties; earn trust while working out a deal; use good timing and carefully calculated strategies when bargaining; communicate high value of services; identify hidden agendas that might interfere with the resolution of terms.
4. Influence & Persuasion—Able to convince others in either positive or negative circumstances; use tact when expressing ideas or opinions; present new ideas to authority figures; adapt presentations to a particular audience; respond to objections successfully.
5. Planning, Prioritizing & Goal Setting—Able to prepare for emerging customer needs; manage multiple projects; determine project urgency in a meaningful and practical way; use goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organize and schedule people and tasks.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with responsibilities and size of organization.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision and life insurance for employee and qualified dependents. Five percent match (5%) of salary contributed to a 401(k) plan.
Vacation: 160 hours of PTO per year.
Work Environment: On-Site Preferred / Remote Possible for Right Candidate
Travel Expectations: 20-35% (lower number is on-site and the higher number if remote), with 1-2 international vision trips with donors annually and 1-2 executive team meetings at international locations.
ABOUT GRAND RAPIDS
Much has been written about the welcoming Midwest charm of Grand Rapids, starting with its downtown, a mix of historic and modern architecture filled with cozy cafes and local shops. Numerous local festivals and art exhibitions help bring the city to life, and parks like Millennium Park provide green spaces for relaxation and community events. You can bike, hike, swim, paddle, golf, ski and fish as close as five minutes from downtown, and the city boasts professional ballet, opera, symphony and theatre productions.
Situated along the Grand River just 25 miles east of Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids is one of America’s fastest growing and most affordable cities. With a population of nearly 200,000, it can feel like a small town—especially when you settle in one of the city’s eight diverse and distinctive neighborhoods—but Grand Rapids anchors a metro region of more than 1.3 million people. It has been named the #2 Most Beautiful & Affordable City to Live in the U.S. by Travel+Leisure and the #1 Best Place to Raise a Family by Rocket Homes.
The city is also a place of opportunity and hosts a range of corporate headquarters—including Amway, Steelcase and Meijer—contributing to a thriving job market. Couple this with excellent public and private schools and colleges like Grand Valley State University, Cornerstone University and Calvin University, and you have a city that values both work and education.
The housing market caters to a variety of preferences ranging from historic homes to modern developments and offers affordable options, as the average cost of a 3-bedroom home in Grand Rapids hovers in the $250-300,000 range.
To learn more about the work of CURE International Children’s Hospitals, please visit their website at www.cure.org. You may view and download their latest Annual Report here.
If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and organization could be a good fit for you, please click on the APPLY NOW button below. If you know someone who may have an interest, please use the social media share and email buttons at the top.