Specialist, Annual Giving (Foundation for Physical Therapy Research)

Brief Description: This position will be responsible for designing and leading annual giving efforts and fostering relationships with annual and mid-level donors.

Title: Specialist, Annual Giving

Department: Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: This position is located onsite at the APTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA.

About the Foundation

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research is the only national nonprofit solely dedicated to funding physical therapy research and promising researchers through grants, scholarships, and fellowships. Through these investments, researchers go on to yield exceptional research that helps us learn more about the efficacy of physical therapy practices, pioneer breakthrough treatments, and build the evidence-base to define the value of physical therapy among payers, other health care professions, and patients.

The Foundation is an affiliate of the American Physical Therapy Association. Foundation staff are employed by APTA and receive the same employee benefits and adhere to APTA policies and procedures.

About APTA

Do you want to contribute to an organization dedicated to improving societal health? Would you like to collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference? Are you excited to work in a new state-of-the-art building designed to encourage movement, participation, and employee health?

Then you want to work for APTA!

APTA is the trusted leader for the physical therapy profession, representing more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students. Our approximately 150 employees support the association’s mission to build a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society.

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA has outstanding employee benefits, including flexible work schedules, generous retirement contributions, and travel subsidies for employees who choose public and active transportation.

Summary

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research seeks a dynamic and detail-oriented fundraising professional to lead annual giving and donor engagement efforts. Reporting to the Development Manager, the Specialist plays a key role in cultivating a broad base of support through strategic campaigns, stewardship, and donor-centered events — and serves as the lead staff for the Foundation’s annual student-led fundraising initiative. This position collaborates closely with the Communications team and the Data Specialist to drive donor acquisition, retention, and growth.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, passionate about building relationships, and comfortable using data and insights to guide strategy and deepen donor engagement.

Essential Functions

Annual Giving & Donor Engagement

Lead multi-channel annual giving campaigns and appeals (email, direct mail, digital, phone)

• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with capacity to annually give up to $5,000
• Use segmentation, screening data, and CRM data to personalize outreach to personalize outreach to key audiences, such as funded researchers, to deepen engagement and broaden support for the Foundation.
• Collaborate with Communications on appeals, collateral design, event signage, stewardship content, and surveys.
• Analyze campaign performance and refine strategies based on data insights
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies to retain and upgrade annual donors, including personalized outreach, recognition, and impact reporting.
• Co-lead digital fundraising campaigns in partnership with Communications, including Giving Tuesday, year-end and lapsed donor appeals, social media-driven initiatives, and e-news content.

Student & Young Donor Engagement

• Develop and implement engagement strategies for students and recent graduates, including the Marquette Challenge
• Collaborate with communications staff to develop content for student-facing platforms, including email, social media, and digital toolkits
• Share the impact of Foundation-funded initiatives and present meaningful ways for faculty and students (virtual and in-person) to engage with and support the student-led grassroots campaign.
• Partner with association staff to align campaigns with student member interests and ensure messaging is tailored for student channels
• Draft agendas and lead meetings with faculty advisors and student coordinators that lead the fundraiser.
• Provide guidance, share updates, and strengthen relationships.
• Support volunteer fundraisers, including student coordinators.

Events & Sponsorship

• Lead event strategy and donor-facing elements for fundraising events and conferences
• Collaborate with the Development & Operations Associate on venue research and logistical coordination
• Manage stewardship of corporate donors (up to $5,000) and all event sponsorships; develop tailored proposals, ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits, and coordinate with communications staff to deliver branded assets, recognition, and promotional content.
• Develop sponsorship proposals and steward corporate event sponsors
• Coordinate workplace giving and matching gift initiatives

Staff Expectations

• Upholds and fosters team values
• Complies with all APTA policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned to foster the achievement of association priorities

Qualifications

• Some college; Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 2–4 years of fundraising and/or event planning experience
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience with donor databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred)
• Analytical mindset and passion for mission-driven work
• Comfortable using AI tools to streamline donor communications, analyze giving trends, and enhance overall fundraising efficiency.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with fundraising trends and best practices.

Travel Requirements

0 - 10% - local, National

How To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter, including salary requirements, when applying.

Principals only; no agencies; no phone calls, please. Candidates selected to participate in an interview will be contacted by Human Resources.

The American Physical Therapy Association is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

APTA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information, please visit e-verify.uscis.gov.

APTA is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and invites and welcomes applicants with diversity of experience, mindset, and skills to add value to APTA and our staff community.

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA has outstanding employee benefits, including flexible work schedules, generous retirement contributions, and travel subsidies for employees who choose public and active transportation.