The client seeks a dynamic Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead fundraising strategy and help expand and strengthen its philanthropic donor base and revenue portfolio. Reporting to the CEO, the CDO will build and sustain a robust pipeline of philanthropic support while fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization, with a focus on advancing youth development and mission impact.
The CDO will oversee all development functions, including major gifts, grants, communications, stewardship, events, campaign strategy, and donor data systems. Responsibilities include partnering with the CEO to set fundraising goals and tactics, identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donor relationships, maintaining a comprehensive donor database, advancing an emerging comprehensive campaign, and supporting marketing and communications efforts that highlight program outcomes and inspire investment. The role also includes supervising grant development and collaborating internally to track and report on program outcomes, converting volunteer engagement into philanthropic support, and leading planning and execution of the annual fundraising event.
The CDO will mentor and supervise the development team, manage the development department budget in alignment with fundraising goals, and track and report development performance metrics. The role includes equipping board members to fulfill fundraising responsibilities, supporting board and staff committees related to fundraising and major initiatives, and staying current on fundraising trends and best practices through engagement with professional peers. The ideal candidate is expected to demonstrate a strong passion for the mission, executive partnership with senior leadership, professional maturity, and solutions-oriented, accountable leadership.