SITUATION OVERVIEW:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Director of Philanthropic Initiatives, Founding Medical School for Morgan State University.
ABOUT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY:
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution providing instruction to a multiethnic, multiracial, multinational student body and offering more than 150 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan fulfills its mission to address the needs and challenges of the modern urban environment through intense community-level study and pioneering solutions.
Anchored in a charming residential area of northeast Baltimore, the breadth of Morgan’s expansive campus encompasses more than 185 acres extending beyond its sprawling campus proper which features state-of-the-art facilities geared toward innovative teaching and learning in the 21st century. The only university to have its entire campus, designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, offers a safe and inviting learning environment with easy access to the best the city has to offer: culture, exhibits, dining, shopping, activities, sightseeing and employment.
The off-campus opportunities also extend to community projects and civic engagement.
Morgan has graduated more than 55,000 degree candidates since its establishment more than 150 years ago, producing a passionately devoted corps of alumni who have found success in all areas of endeavor, in the U.S. and beyond.
Among the nation's most diverse Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the largest in Maryland, Morgan seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible.
CORE VALUES:
Leadership
- Morgan seeks to provide rigorous academic curricula and challenging co-curricular opportunities to promote the development of leadership qualities in students and to facilitate leadership development among faculty, staff, and students.
Innovation
- Morgan encourages and supports its faculty, staff, and students in all forms of scholarship including the discovery and application of knowledge in teaching and learning and in developing innovative products and processes.
Integrity
- At Morgan, honest communications, ethical behavior, and accountability for words and deeds are expected from all members of the University community.
Diversity
- A broad diversity of people and ideas are welcomed and supported at Morgan as essential to quality education in a global interdependent society.
- Students will have reasonable and affordable access to a comprehensive range of high quality educational programs and services.
Excellence
- Excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative endeavors, student services, and in all aspects of the University's operations is continuously pursued at Morgan to ensure institutional effectiveness and efficiency.
Respect
- Each person at Morgan is to be treated with respect and dignity and is to be treated equitably in all situations.
MISSION & VALUES
Morgan State University's vision and mission statements as well as its core institutional values are consistent with the University's Carnegie Foundation classification as a doctoral research university and are intended to direct Morgan's strategic growth over the next decade.
VISION STATEMENT
Morgan State University is the premier public urban research university in Maryland, known for its excellence in teaching, intensive research, effective public service, and community engagement. Morgan prepares diverse and competitive graduates for success in a global, interdependent society.
MISSION STATEMENT
Morgan State University serves the community, region, state, nation, and world as an intellectual and creative resource by supporting, empowering, and preparing high-quality, diverse graduates to lead the world. The University offers innovative, inclusive, and distinctive educational experiences to a broad cross section of the population in a comprehensive range of disciplines at the baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, and professional degree levels. Through collaborative pursuits, scholarly research, creative endeavors, and dedicated public service, the University gives significant priority to addressing societal problems, particularly those prevalent in urban communities.
POSITION:
Morgan State University invites applications and nominations for the newly created position of Director of Philanthropic Initiatives, Founding Medical School, an entrepreneurial and mission-driven fundraising leader who will play a pivotal role in securing the resources necessary to launch Maryland’s first new medical school in decades and the nation’s first historically Black medical school in more than 50 years.
Reporting directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director will lead all aspects of major gift fundraising, campaign development, and strategic partnerships to bring the Morgan State University College of Medicine from vision to reality. The Director will be supported by a dedicated project manager to advance all strategic and operational goals. Together, they will cultivate transformational investments from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities to support the construction, accreditation readiness, program development, and long-term sustainability of the medical school.
The successful candidate will be a builder and storyteller, someone who can translate Morgan’s bold vision for health equity and medical education access into a compelling philanthropic case for support. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of academic medicine and to advance Morgan State University’s legacy of leadership, innovation, and impact.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive campaign to raise the funds necessary to open the medical school;
- Achieve annual and cumulative fundraising goals, targeting $10M–$25M+ in commitments over the initial campaign period;
- Develop and maintain a qualified pipeline of at least 100 active prospects and partners;
- Produce quarterly progress reports and annual impact summaries for leadership and key stakeholders;
- Build a strong culture of philanthropy and external partnership around the vision for the Morgan State University College of Medicine.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
STRATEGIC FUNDRAISING LEADERSHIP
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year campaign and fundraising strategy to support the design, construction, and launch of the Morgan State University College of Medicine;
- Build and manage a robust portfolio of major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, capable of contributing six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts;
- Lead efforts to secure founding and naming gifts for facilities, academic programs, endowed scholarships, and innovation initiatives;
- Work closely with Foundation and University leadership to establish a compelling case for support that aligns with institutional priorities and resonates with donors and partners;
- Serve as the key strategist and liaison for all philanthropy related to the medical school initiative, including campaign planning, fundraising events, and board engagement.
DONOR CULTIVATION & STEWARDSHIP
- Personally manage a national portfolio of high-net-worth donors and institutional funders, building deep, trust-based relationships that lead to sustained investment;
- Oversee the development of targeted marketing materials, concept papers, proposals, and presentations to effectively communicate funding priorities;
- Ensure exceptional stewardship and recognition practices that demonstrate impact, transparency, and accountability;
- Engage volunteers, alumni, and community leaders as ambassadors and advocates for the medical school project.
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
- Identify and secure strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, corporations, foundations, and government agencies to support capital and programmatic priorities;
- Collaborate with Morgan’s external affairs, legislative relations, and communications teams to position the medical school as a regional and national investment in health equity and workforce development;
- Represent Morgan State University and Foundation at public events, conferences, and meetings to promote the medical school initiative and cultivate visibility among prospective donors and partners;
- Develop opportunities for public–private collaboration, including research partnerships, innovation hubs, and clinical training affiliations once the school is operational.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING
- Build and lead a small, high-performing advancement team dedicated to the medical school campaign;
- Establish systems for prospect management, gift tracking, and stewardship aligned with best practices in advancement operations;
- Work with university leadership to define funding priorities, timelines, and milestones for campaign success;
- Develop performance dashboards and progress reports to track and communicate outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred;
- Professional certifications such as CFRE or CASE credentials desirable.
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive fundraising or advancement experience, including at least five years of demonstrated success in major gifts or campaign leadership;
- Proven ability to secure transformational gifts ($1M+) and to lead complex, multi-year fundraising initiatives or capital campaigns;
- Experience developing and executing philanthropic strategies for start-up or large-scale initiatives, such as new academic programs, medical centers, or innovation facilities;
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage cross-sector partnerships involving healthcare, corporate, and philanthropic stakeholders;
- Familiarity with advancement structures, campaign planning, and donor databases;
- Experience working with senior institutional leaders, government officials, and community influencers to drive philanthropic goals.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strategic, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to launch and lead initiatives from concept to execution;
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities, able to inspire vision and philanthropic engagement;
- Deep understanding of philanthropic trends in healthcare, education, and social impact giving;
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills;
- High emotional intelligence and cultural fluency, with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community advancement;
- Results-oriented, collaborative, and comfortable in an evolving, start-up environment.
IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES
- Visionary and entrepreneurial leader capable of translating institutional goals into compelling philanthropic narratives;
- Relationship-driven strategist who thrives in ambiguous, early-stage environments and can build programs from the ground up;
- Deep appreciation for Morgan State University’s mission and its commitment to expanding access to medical education and improving health outcomes for underserved communities;
- Collaborative, transparent, and resilient professional with a proven record of turning ambition into action and results.
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:
- Initial interviews with ZRG
- ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
- Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
- Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
- Formal referencing
- Offer extended
ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:
ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.
