Newswise — JUPITER, FL, November 6, 2013 – The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has appointed Irv Geffen as director of major gift and planned giving in Scripps Florida’s Office of Philanthropy. Before joining TSRI, Geffen was vice president and director of wealth management at Sabadell Bank & Trust in Palm Beach.

“We are delighted that Irv has joined The Scripps Research Institute,” said David Blinder, TSRI senior vice president for external affairs. “His deep knowledge of the South Florida community and broad experience in both the not-for-profit and financial sectors will help us advance our dual mission in scientific research and education."

“I am delighted for the opportunity to help donors bring their philanthropic passions together with the extraordinary biomedical research being conducted by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute,” said Geffen, who lives in Boynton Beach.

Geffen, who received a Master’s degree in community health administration from Temple University in Philadelphia, served in a number of senior fundraising and management positions for the Jewish Federations of South Palm Beach County, Greater Philadelphia and Richmond, Virginia.

As executive vice president, then CEO of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County from 2008 to 2011, Geffen secured between $20 and $25 million in annual fundraising revenues and directed the organization’s financial resource development, including annual campaign, foundation grants and planned giving.

Geffen also served as vice president of development for Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia from 1995 to 2001. He later worked in the field of high-net-worth wealth management with Alliance Bernstein and Prudent Management, both also in Philadelphia. Throughout his career, Geffen has conducted scores of lectures, seminars and workshops for development and financial professionals on topics ranging from gift planning, donor and customer relations to major gift and endowment development. “Irv’s knowledge of donor-centered giving strategies will help us expand our philanthropic efforts in South Florida,” said Alex Bruner, director of Scripps Florida’s philanthropy team. “He’s a welcome addition to our department.”

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs about 3,000 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists—including three Nobel laureates—work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see www.scripps.edu.