Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation Chief Development Officer

w w w. net r f.or g July 2022

Position Overview

Chief Development Officer Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation Boston, MA

THIS IS A RETAINED SEARCH OF

PHOTOS NEEDED

Introduction Mission The Neur oendocrine Tumor Resear ch Foundat ion (NETRF) seeks an experienced front-line fundraiser to join a team of dedicated professionals focused on winning the war against cancer, specifically neuroendocrine cancer. At present, 175,000+ Americans are living with neuroendocrine tumors, “ NETs,” and the number of those diagnosed is increasing annually. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will champion NETRF’s research and patient advocacy mission, advancing a comprehensive fundraising program that has garnered a “ Four Star ” rating from Charity Navigator and a “ Platinum” designation from GuideStar.

About NETRF Headquartered in Boston, MA, NETRF is an international leader in funding research to discover cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancers.

What began with a cadre of dedicated Page 2

To find treatments and ultimately a cure for the thousands of patients living with neuroendocrine cancer.

volunteers just 17 years ago, is now an organization recognized around the globe for its dedication to advancing the most ambitious and innovative research into these poorly understood cancers.

Since its founding in 2005, NETRF has awarded more than $34 million in grants to leading scientists at renowned institutions, including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In addition to funding this vital research, NETRF is committed to improving, extending, and saving the lives of those affected by NETs through educational resources and events, ranging from conferences to podcasts.

NETs 101

Founded by a NET Patient NETRF, previously known as the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation, was founded by Nancy Lindholm, who at 29 years old was diagnosed with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer. A Har vard economics major and Columbia Law School graduate, Lindholm collapsed on a Boston subway and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where physicians found extensive tumors that displaced the majority of her liver and spread to her bones.

Lindholm set out to learn as much as she could about her disease and the research being done on it, but she discovered that few scientists were focusing on NETs. In the face of little governmental funding or pharmaceutical interest in researching NETs, The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation grew rapidly thanks to Lindholm’s vision

NETs are rare and originate from specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells. NETs can occur throughout the body, but primar y sites include the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, lungs, and adrenal glands. Because symptoms often mimic those of other conditions, many NET patients are initially misdiagnosed and the time from onset of symptoms to proper diagnosis often exceeds five years. NETs 101

and the determination of volunteers and staff to advance a research agenda focused on understanding the basic biology of these tumors and seeking effective treatments.

PHOTOS NEEDED

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A New Era The year 2015 marked a pivotal time in the growth of the Foundation with a rebranding to Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation. This change not only emphasized a research mission inclusive of all types of neuroendocrine cancers, it provided an opportunity to raise the organization’s profile, helping fuel its aggressive research funding portfolio, and expand its philanthropy and patient resources. A transformative $15 million gift from the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation enabled another period of rapid growth, enabling NETRF to accelerate funding while establishing an endowment.

(Robert Petersen, an automobile publishing giant, had passed away in 2007 from neuroendocrine cancer.)

“ I know the Petersens would be very happy with the exceptional and impressive research they are funding. We are all so proud of NETRF’s accomplishments and particularly impressed by their steady growth, even during pandemic times.”

Kevin Strauch, Trustee The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation

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A year later in 2016, the NETRF Board made a strategic investment in its infrastructure, adding a Senior Administrative Officer to strengthen operations, such as marketing, and financial planning, while expanding outreach nationally and internationally.

Elyse Gellerman was recruited to this new role, and a year later, was promoted to CEO. Since joining the organization, Gellerman has strengthened its leadership team, adding a Chief Development Officer and recruiting Directors of Research, Communications, and Patient Education.

The staff also includes a Science Writer and Development Coordinator. She also expanded its Board of Directors to 12 individuals from throughout the United States.

PHOTOS NEEDED The NETRF/Broad Institute NET Cell Line Project aims to create publicly available neuroendocrine tumor cell lines to be shared with any researcher, in any laboratory, anywhere in the world. Having a reliable NET cell line could expedite molecular understanding of NETs and accelerate drug testing.

NETRF Priorities Funding Accelerated Research NETRF is committed to funding the most promising research to discover cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancers. It awards multiyear research grants driven by a structured, rigorous peer review process to ensure the highest quality research, partnerships with top scientists from the world’s leading research institutions, and recruitment of the most promising researchers to accelerate the study of NETs. Funded Resear ch Pr ojects

Providing Resources for Patients and Caregivers While NETRF’s primar y focus is on advancing research, it is committed to improving, extending, and saving the lives of those affected by NETs through multimedia educational resources. The NETRF website offers a sear chable database of

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NET physician specialists and support groups, information on NETRF’s latest funded research, and information about clinical trials. NETRF offers an 80-page NET Guide for Pat ients and Families, a ver y popular NETWise podcast series, an annual virtual patient conference, and an extensive YouTube video librar y. A monthly e-newsletter is sent to some 15,000 people and highlights engaging profiles of donors and patients, NETRF-supported research, and patient education topics.

PHOTOS NEEDED

Leadership NET Foundation Team Overseeing the Foundation team and working in concert with the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer Elyse Gellerman charts NETRF’s strategic direction and leads day-to-day administration.

Her team is made up of a group of dedicated professionals working to advance knowledge and education of neuroendocrine tumors. The team brings great energy, excitement, and passion to the mission of discovering new, more effective treatments for an under-resourced, uncommon cancer. Meet the Team.

Board of Directors The 12-member Boar d of Dir ector s governs and champions NETRF’s strategic, scientific, and financial direction. The Board comprises highly distinguished community leaders who share a commitment to discovering a cure for neuroendocrine cancer, many of whom are living with NETs or have a loved one impacted by this disease. Several Directors are among the most recognized experts in NET and medical fields, while others have built well-known companies, ser ved as executives in public companies, and managed a local government. They are dedicated to achieving the Foundation’s mission, guaranteeing transparency and accountability, and supporting the neuroendocrine cancer community.

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Elyse Gellerman Chief Executive Officer

Before joining NETRF in 2016, Elyse Gellerman ser ved as Regional Vice President for Sarah Cannon, the oncology ser vice line for Hospital Corporation of America, (growing and developing oncology programs across a two-state, eight-hospital region. Gellerman has extensive experience in non-profit and corporate healthcare operations, strategic development, management consulting, and marketing. She has ser ved in key roles for Susan G. Komen, as an Affiliate Board President and National Board member, and as an Executive Leadership Council member and chair for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2011, Gellerman was recognized by the White House as a “ Champion for Change” in the fight against breast cancer. She holds a Bachelor ’s from Cornell University and a Master ’s in Healthcare Systems from the University of Denver.

Board of Scientific Advisors The Boar d of Scient ific Adv isor s provides scientific direction to NETRF by offering independent, expert advice. Its members are highly distinguished medical and/or scientific leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to discovering a cure for neuroendocrine cancer. They are pioneers in medical research, published authors in the top peer-reviewed medical journals, and leaders of collaborative research projects at top-ranked universities and institutes.

Philanthropy Since its inception, NETRF has been dedicated to the ver y highest levels of charitable accountability and transparency.

Of ever y dollar raised, $.90 is invested in research and education. The Petersen Foundation grant underscores the enormous potential of fundraising to fuel and advance NETRF’s mission, scope, and breadth, and subsequently, the lives and journeys of NET patients, caregivers, and researchers. This $15 million transformational gift enabled NETRF to launch the most aggressive research effort ever to understand and treat NETS through the Peterson Accelerator Award and an endowed fund to perpetuate NET research.

In 2021, NETRF raised $7.2 million in contributions, grants, and sponsorships.

Giving comes primarily from foundations and individuals (patients, families, friends), many of whom fall into one of two Giv ing Societ ies – Champions, honoring those who have given for more than a decade; Page 7

and Founders, who have given consistently ever y year since the organization’s founding. In addition to gifts and grants for research, NETRF receives support for its patient education programs from a number of leading pharmaceutical companies.

Additionally, the organization benefits from grassroots efforts by individuals who host smaller fundraisers and direct proceeds to the Foundation.

2021 Annual Repor t

Using a data-driven approach, the philanthropy effort focuses on identifying and cultivating major individual and foundation donors and planned giving prospects with an annual goal of soliciting and closing $4 to 5 million in gifts annually.

Engagement opportunities include visits with prospective donors (grateful patients/ families, foundations, corporations and physicians/researchers), attendance at NETRF patient education conferences, and stewardship invitations to NETRF’s Annual Research Symposium. Prospects are also reached through the monthly electronic newsletter, as well as donor direct mail appeals, and social media and online giving.

The number of donors has increased year over year. There are 2,250+ donors in the database (Raiser ’s Edge).

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Chief Development Officer Overview R epor t ing to t he CEO as a member of t he senior leader ship t eam, t he CDO w ork s in concer t w it h a nat ional Boar d of Dir ect or s and an int er nat ionally -r enow ned Boar d of Scient ific Adv isor s t o deepen NETR F’s cult ur e of philant hr opy. Specifically, t he CDO brings a bestpr act ice orientat ion to building a donor pipeline w it h an ey e t ow ar d ident if y ing, cult iv at ing, and solicit ing t r ansf or mat ional gif t s. A s t he lead f undr aiser, suppor t ed by a Dev elopment Coor dinator, t he CDO plans and ex ecutes annual and mult i-y ear f undr aising st r ategies w it h goals, met rics, and deliv er ables f or major and planned giv ing, annual appeals, gr at ef ul patient/family giving, and memorial giving.

Primary Responsibilities: •

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Develop, recommend, organize, and direct strategies and actions to advance a comprehensive fundraising program that maximizes philanthropic support NETRF’s strategic priorities. Components include: major and planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving, and donor stewardship.

Partner with CEO in advancing the Foundation’s case for support; manage the design, planning, and execution of case development and annual and ongoing fundraising plans and programs to assure NETRF’s success in meeting revenue objectives; set ambitious, achievable, measurable goals; track, analyze, and report fundraising progress.

Establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, volunteer leaders, physicians, researchers, and donors and friends of NETRF, developing a personal rapport and acquiring and demonstrating a firm grasp of a wide range of critical issues facing NET/cancer research and the funding landscape.

Strengthen the donor pipeline through major gifts, planned giving, annual appeals, grateful patient/family giving, and memorial giving; develop prospect management strategies, tracking and monitoring “ move steps.”

As lead front-line fundraiser, personally manage a portfolio of highest-rated prospects with capacity for transformational giving (six- to seven-figures); identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts.

Support CEO and Board in developing and strengthening composition of Board, committees, and advisor y groups – staffing board-level committees as appropriate.

Identify, recruit, orient, train, and motivate volunteer leaders to participate effectively in donor cultivation and solicitation.

Partner with Directors of Research, Patient Education, and Communications in identifying donor prospects, fully leveraging their relationship portfolios and activities for maximum cultivation and stewardship.

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Maintain best practice, policies, procedures, and records, adhering to IRS requirements.

Participate in strategic planning, branding and message development; maintain high visibility/accessibility in the philanthropic community and participate in appropriate external activities that heighten awareness of the needs of NETRF. Maintain professional affiliations that enhance professional growth to keep current re: fundraising practices, particularly in disease-specific and/or research funding area.

Qualifications The ideal candidate is a mission- and values-driven, engaging, entrepreneurial fundraiser and project manager with superb communications and organizational skills. Energetic, curious, and collaborative are key traits, as are integrity and professionalism. The CDO must be a person of enthusiasm and initiative; a consummate relationship manager with political savvy and the knowledge to build networks and work well with executive leaders, physicians and researchers, and affluent donors; and with the confidence and expertise to guide and advise the CEO through all phases of the development process.

The CDO is a proven front-line fundraiser with the knowledge and ability to build and strengthen relationships and networks within philanthropic, medical/research, and business communities; has a strong commitment to furthering an organization-wide culture of philanthropy, a strong operational focus, bias for action, and results-orientation.

The CDO is charged with significantly advancing funding for NETRF by working effectively with CEO, colleagues, board members, and philanthropic leaders to maximize the potential for private sector support. An aptitude for understanding and describing the science related to research funding to prospective donors and a comfort level communicating with patients and families impacted by NETs are important attributes.

In addition, to ensure success in the role, the CDO must be: • • • • • •

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Able to focus on fundraising above all and connect efforts to all major initiatives.

An entrepreneurial self-starter with energy and enthusiasm for the work.

A critical-thinker who is precise, exacting, and able to establish and focus priorities; quickly sense what will help or impede progress; and move effectively toward identifying and removing barriers to performance, keeping projects and tasks on track.

A motivational and inspirational coach to others, able to build relationships with diverse constituencies and with a work style characterized by maturity, integrity, accountability and honesty in all relationships; and ability to keep ego in check.

A superb communicator with excellent interpersonal and listening skills and sense of humor, who is politically astute, financially savvy, and open to new ideas.

An independent thinker who can present a balanced analysis, has solid influencing skills, and is capable of building consensus, while engendering trust, confidence, and credibility.

Knowledge and Experience • • • • • • •

An accomplished fundraising leader with a minimum of 8-10 years’ progressive experience preferably within healthcare, research, science and/or academic environments.

Experience researching, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects and donors capable of six- and seven-figure giving.

Proven success in individual and major gifts with basic knowledge of corporate and foundation relations.

Knowledgeable in regard to deferred giving vehicles, including bequests, annuities, charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance, and gifts of real estate.

Knowledgeable in regard to the application of information technology for administrative, business, and financial management.

Experience with board recruitment/development and volunteer management.

Bachelor ’s degree required; Master ’s preferred.

Skills • • • • •

Superior oral and written communication skills.

Strong analytical, financial, and business planning skills.

Excellent interpersonal and persuasive skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and business partners.

Facilitation skills for project management, managing group dynamics, and overseeing processes.

Strong management, coaching, and mentoring skills.

Abilities: • • • • • • • • •

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An engaged professional who brings a hands-on approach, with specific attention to detail and the ability to be a strategic, “ big picture” thinker.

Entrepreneurial and creative problem solver.

Energetic, positive, and proactive individual who is self-directed.

Able to work well with a sophisticated, highly intelligent constituency.

Able to engage Research Director, Scientific Advisors, or others when working with donors who are more scientifically-oriented.

Able to communicate genuine warmth, compassion, and commitment to quality and ser vice, and to quickly build effective and strategic relationships, internally and externally.

An innate ability to run a sophisticated fundraising program on a national level.

Metrics-driven, results-oriented individual who meets deadlines and is able to effectively prioritize, delegate, and manage performance to meet objectives.

Able to remain calm and focused under pressure.

Year-one Goals •

Establish professional and personal credibility and integrity, gaining respect and building trust with the CEO and management team, Board leadership, key volunteers, and the philanthropic and research communities; and be viewed as competent, knowledgeable, and committed to the organization’s mission and direction.

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Establish a collaborative working relationship with the CEO, Board Chair, Executive Committee, Development Committee, and other members of the management team, in order to work effectively to affect cultural and organizational changes.

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Develop phased tactical plan to meet short-term revenue goals and performance metrics, while building a longer-term plan for sustainable fundraising that supports the Foundation’s strategic and growth goals.

This is a salaried position with benefits including medical/dental, 401K plan, flexible spending account, paid vacation and holidays. NETRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Div ersity & Inclusion Statement.

This is a retained search of Exceptional Executive Search.

For more information contact: info@ eesr ecr uit.com.

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