OneWorld Health is a faith-inspired global health nonprofit headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, that exists to provide quality, affordable healthcare to those in need. Founded in 2009 as Palmetto Medical Initiative, OneWorld Health builds and operates sustainable, locally staffed healthcare projects in Uganda, Nicaragua, and Honduras, and has treated more than 1.4 million patients. Simply put, they provide care that endures.
OneWorld Health seeks a Major Gifts Officer to expand and strengthen philanthropic support for this growing international nonprofit. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of approximately 175 high-net-worth donors and prospects, build a personalized cultivation and solicitation strategy for each, and personally solicit the major gifts that help the development team meet its fundraising goals.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
OneWorld Health began with a conversation between two friends. Matt Alexander, a nonprofit fundraiser, and Dr. Ed O'Bryan, then completing his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), set out to build sustainable healthcare infrastructure in developing countries. Months later, with support from members of St. Andrews Church and MUSC, they were offering medical care in Masindi, Uganda, where 2,000 people were waiting in line. Their first permanent medical center opened in January 2011, and it has since grown into a regional hospital.
Mission: To provide quality, affordable healthcare to those in need.
Vision: To see communities empowered to bring about long-term improvements in health and quality of life.
Inspired by Faith, Guided by Action. In OneWorld Health's words: “We are driven by the conviction that all people are created equal in the image of God, deserving of dignity and respect. Our work is guided by a belief that access to basic needs, including healthcare, should not depend on where you are born.” Each of its six core values (Service, Humility, Integrity, Empowerment, Love, and Dignity) is anchored in Scripture, from Mark 10:45 to 1 John 3:18.
AT A GLANCE
Founded: 2009, as Palmetto Medical Initiative
Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina
Where they serve: Uganda, Nicaragua, and Honduras
Patients treated: 1,406,346 since 2009
Projects implemented: 31, with 97% operationally sustainable
FY2025 reach (year ending June 30, 2025): Uganda, 7 facilities and 152,010 patients; Nicaragua, 6 facilities and 63,263 patients; Honduras, 5 facilities and 51,762 patients
Volunteers (FY2025): 206 short-term volunteers contributed nearly 12,795 hours of service
2030 goal: 3.6 million patients served
HOW THEY ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION
OneWorld Health's model is “sustainable by design, scalable by support.” Every project is built to sustain itself through affordable patient fees within 24 months, so care continues long after the spotlight fades. All project staff are hired locally, which builds trust and cultural understanding, and they are backed by training, mentorship, and global partnerships. In OneWorld Health's words, “Patient fees cover daily operations—but growth, innovation, and program expansion depend on continued donor support.” Major gifts don't just keep the lights on. They fund new projects, equipment, leadership development, and life-saving programs.
The model works in four steps: build smart (projects in strategic locations where the need is greatest), equip local teams (hire and train medical professionals and leaders from each community), sustain with purpose (affordable patient fees fund day-to-day operations), and scale what works (invest in maternal and child health, chronic and urgent care, surgical and emergency services, preventative medicine, and advanced diagnostics including imaging and lab services). Telehealth, mobile clinics, public health education, and community outreach extend care to the hardest-to-reach patients.
Uganda is OneWorld Health's largest footprint, where it is expanding neonatal care, emergency surgery, and diagnostics alongside rural outreach and maternal health. In Nicaragua, clinics provide chronic disease management, OB/GYN care, and mammography. Honduras, one of its fastest-growing regions, offers diagnostics, affordable medications, and emerging specialty care. Short-term medical and non-medical volunteer teams support the projects through patient care, training, and referrals.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
OPPORTUNITIES
Present a rare case for support. Patient fees sustain operations, so donors can see that their gifts fund growth: new projects, equipment, and life-saving programs. That gives a major gifts officer a clear, measurable story to tell.
Invest in a bold vision. OneWorld Health aims to serve 3.6 million patients by 2030 by deepening programs, expanding innovative care models, and building healthcare systems that last.
Partner closely with leadership. Help shape the team's cultivation strategy for major donors, prepare leadership for solicitations, and represent OneWorld Health at conferences and community events.
CHALLENGES
Grow contributed revenue to match the vision. Going from about 1.4 million patients treated to a goal of 3.6 million by 2030 will take sustained growth in major gifts and new giving partners.
Be a disciplined generalist. The role covers a wide range of donor types, events, publications, gift recognition and stewardship programs, grant reports to family foundations, and quarterly contact reports. Juggling all of it takes strong portfolio discipline.
Bridge two worlds. Connecting U.S. donors to communities in East Africa and Central America calls for compelling storytelling and cross-cultural sensitivity.
POSITION PROFILE
Title: Major Gifts Officer
Reports to: Director of Development
Status: Full-time, exempt
Location: Charleston, South Carolina (on-site)
Travel: Up to 35–40%
PURPOSE
The Major Gifts Officer plays a key role in expanding and strengthening philanthropic support for OneWorld Health. The role helps the development team meet its fundraising goals by increasing contributed revenue and by managing a portfolio of donors and prospects with the interest and capacity to create access to quality, affordable healthcare for communities in need. The Major Gifts Officer develops gift strategies for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation, plans and executes special donor events, and takes a lead role in overseeing publications and maintaining gift recognition and stewardship programs.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage a customized portfolio of approximately 175 high-net-worth donors and prospects. Create a comprehensive cultivation and solicitation strategy for each, based on their philanthropic goals, and directly solicit major gifts in support of revenue goals
Take a leading role in scoping and identifying new prospects for the major gifts portfolio, and work with the team to develop personalized materials that align with donor goals
Oversee solicitation and stewardship opportunities, including concise briefing materials for leadership
Plan events as needed to engage and mobilize OneWorld Health supporters, upholding brand standards
Grow the partner portfolio by discovering and developing new giving partnerships through intentional networking and research
Track portfolio activity and progress, and create reports on major grants for select funders and family foundations
Collaborate closely with leadership to define and execute the team's cultivation strategy for major donors, including unique cultivation and stewardship opportunities, broader donor events, and innovation in the field
Provide quarterly donor contact, call, and visit reports to leadership
Represent OneWorld Health at external functions such as conferences, networking, and fundraising events
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Supports OneWorld Health's faith-inspired mission and its conviction that all people are created in the image of God, deserving of dignity and respect.
A proven track record of personally cultivating and closing significant gifts, either through front-line fundraising or through relationship-based sales with a demonstrated record of closing. This is a direct-solicitation role, not a marketing or communications role
Comfort soliciting gifts of five figures and above, and a proven record of building relationships and inspiring people to take action
Experience cultivating and sustaining long-term relationships
A posture of integrity that values the mission and vision of OneWorld Health
Proven ability and drive to take initiative and solve problems, with a positive attitude and a professional appearance and manner
A “generalist” toolkit: comfortable leading projects across a wide range of donors and prospects, and not afraid to meet a new donor type for the first time
Able to confidently write and present executive summaries on complicated topics to senior audiences. Builds buy-in through communication and handles sensitive situations with tact and empathy
Able to make informed decisions with ambiguous or imperfect information, and to weigh complicated trade-offs
Communicates effectively and respectfully by phone, email, text, and in person with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and the public
A strong collaborator who works well with people of diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and experience, and naturally helps others grow
Able to travel up to 35–40%
Lives in the Charleston area or is prepared to relocate there
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Prior major gift fundraising experience at a nonprofit (strongly preferred)
Experience prospecting and acquiring new major donors (or sales prospects), and segmenting a donor or prospect database with a tailored strategy for each group
Experience partnering with a CEO or other senior leader, board members, or prominent pastors to raise money
Personal connection to the global poor, affordable healthcare, or humanitarian aid, in the U.S. or overseas
Entrepreneurial leadership in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
Relationships within the Charleston and Lowcountry philanthropic community
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary/Benefits are commensurate with experience. Excellent candidates should expect a professional salary of $125,000+
ABOUT CHARLESTON
OneWorld Health was born in Charleston, and the Lowcountry community remains central to its story and support. Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, and locals describe it as the place “where the Cooper and Ashley Rivers come together to form the Atlantic Ocean.” It is recognized around the world for its preserved history, natural beauty, friendly people, and celebrated restaurants, with ample beaches and historic attractions for the whole family. The median price of a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the Greater Charleston area is approximately $425-475,000.
NEXT STEPS
Learn more at www.oneworldhealth.com.
If you believe this opportunity aligns with your passion and experience, or you’d like to recommend someone, please reach out to:
Daniel Tubbs, M.Ed.
Search Consultant
mobile: (757) 452-1001
email: daniel@missionleadership.org