Chief Development Officer, Heights Youth

Founded in 2005, New Heights Youth, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization that uses to help young people rise to their potential physically, emotionally, socially and academically. The foundation for New Heights began in 2001 when a public school teacher and coach in New York City began to offer students the opportunity to play basketball in the gym after school and on weekends, but only if they first completed their homework.

He quickly recognized the motivating power of basketball, and realized that it could be an excellent tool to engage struggling students in academic activities. With this in mind, a pilot program that combined basketball with tutoring and college application assistance for students from Washington Heights, the Bronx and Harlem was formed under the Children’s Aid Society from 2001 - 2004.

In 2005, the pilot program became New Heights, an independent nonprofit organization serving the larger New York City community.

One of the organization’s biggest strategic goals since day one was to find a home facility that would allow for scaling of services to reach additional youth and families, and to deepen the impact on their lives. In 2021, following a comprehensive campaign, New Heights Youth achieved this goal and transitioned the offices and all program sites to a new, centralized headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn at the Major R.

Owens Health and Wellness Community Center. With three full-sized basketball courts, multiple classrooms, study spaces, a technology lounge and administrative offices, the new space brings together academic, athletic and social emotional learning resources under one roof and fosters greater collaboration between New Heights’ coaches, tutors, staff and volunteers.

Through a variety of after-school, weekend and summer programs, New Heights now engages over 1,700 youth and young adults annually, the majority of whom represent racially and/or economically marginalized communities. New Heights is currently expanding its signature College Bound program and introducing new community-based services, primarily in grades 4- 12, that will deepen their impact in Brooklyn and throughout New York City.

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Executive Director. The unique role combines the opportunity to lead a high-quality Development team, oversee all revenue-generating activities to support organizational growth and the goals of the Power Forward Strategic Plan as well as provide strategic direction for an innovative and growing non-profit organization.

The CDO will grow the development program with a focus on building a robust individual donor pipeline, implementing effective moves management strategies to support the continued growth of the major gifts program, and furthering the growth of corporate partnerships.

• Lead implementation of the fundraising components of the Power Forward Strategic Plan, including scaling successful programs, launching new community-based initiatives, and supporting expanded operations.
• Develop and execute multi-year revenue strategies aligned with organizational priorities and a growing budget that will reach $8M in FY28.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and senior staff to identify high-impact funding opportunities and steward transformational gifts.
• Direct all fundraising streams, including individual giving, institutional giving, corporate partnerships and government funding to raise $6M in the upcoming fiscal year.
• Manage a robust portfolio of major donors and prospects, securing six- and seven-figure contributions through thoughtful cultivation and stewardship.
• Oversee appeals, donor engagement campaigns, and multi-channel strategies to broaden the base of support and retain high-value donors.
• Ensure accurate pipeline tracking, forecasting, and reporting using Salesforce.
• Serve as lead staff liaison to the Board of Directors for development strategy, ensuring active participation in giving, fundraising, and stakeholder advocacy.
• Drive the Board’s fundraising efforts and…