Chief Development Officer

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides strategic leadership for the planning, implementation, evaluation, integration, and administration of the development department. The CDO is responsible for achieving the organization’s revenue goals, increasing income, and educating and engaging more individuals and institutions in the to advance the organization’s mission. The CDO is part of a skilled team of professionals working to raise at least $10 million annually.

The CDO manages a multi-faceted fundraising program; central to this role will be prioritizing personal solicitation of major donors, events, online and direct marketing, and foundation fundraising.

• Work closely with the CEO to establish fundraising goals, set strategic priorities, advise on program development, and develop and meet annual budget
• Work closely in collaboration with the Boards of Directors to engage them more deeply in the fundraising process and to help cultivate a strong relationship between board members and the organization
• Tracks cultivation and prospecting activity and ensure the execution of action items
• Solicit contributions from major individual donors and steward long-term relationships with donors
• Develop relationships with prospective individuals and foundation donors to increase funding
• Research prospective institutional and individual funders
• Works with internal partners to draft and edit proposals and reports
• Tracks proposal and reporting deadlines, ensure that all submitted materials are accurate and comply with any funder requirements
• Manages all grant activity in a central database and deliver regular reports to the CEO
• Serves as the point person for management and maintenance of funders database and ensure efficient system utilization across all units
• Oversee the implementation of ongoing programs to improve the renewal rates of existing annual donors, creatively use events to upgrade donors and maintain a diversity of revenue
• Develops annual budgets and income projections
• Maintains abreast of political and philanthropic trends and ensure that Board and staff are informed of changes in legislation and other trends and initiatives that might impact giving

• Experience in fundraising and corporate sponsor ships
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising strategies and principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Expertise in conducting research for potential donors.
• Skills in conducting analysis and industry trends

• Bachelor’s degree plus 7+ years fundraising experience
• Proven success in securing foundation and individual donor support
• Experience managing a team, including experience in creating and managing successful major gifts programs
• A clear understanding of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit legal issues/structures.
• Well-developed writing, interpersonal and organizational skills and experience managing staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with, and quickly gain the respect and support of, various constituencies, including a visible chief executive committed to raising money, established development management team, active board members, other senior leadership, program directors and donors.
• Experience as an effective communicator who is articulate and persuasive in both the spoken and written word; must be adept at crafting materials and making presentations to a variety of audiences.