Job Description
About the Opportunity
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Development Officer (CDO) to spearhead our development and fundraising initiatives. This role is integral to our mission of advancing transformative solutions to violence and promoting racial equity without reliance on incarceration. As CDO, you'll play a pivotal role in stabilizing and enhancing our financial foundation by leading prospecting efforts, developing new relationships, and expanding our donor base. You will have the opportunity to shape our development strategy, foster collaboration, and contribute to our broader strategic goals as part of the Leadership Team.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Leadership (25%)
Lead Fundraising Efforts: Drive our fundraising initiatives to achieve a $10M revenue target for FY26 and set the stage for future growth.
Fundraising Culture: Engage staff across departments in grassroots campaigns, fostering collaboration with Programs and Finance.
Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the Executive Director, COO, and Board of Directors to refine strategies, maintain accurate revenue projections, and support fundraising objectives.
Policy Development: Regularly review and realign fundraising policies, including gift acceptance and overall fundraising culture.
Fundraising Operations and Donor Relations (50%)
Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Manage and cultivate relationships with current and prospective funders, working alongside the Executive Director and Major Gifts Officer.
Individual Donor Strategy: Develop and implement strategies to grow our individual donor base in collaboration with the Donor Organizer and Communications team.
Corporate Partnerships: Expand our corporate giving program by exploring partnerships with prospects and identifying new opportunities.
Government Partnerships: Support the Finance and Operations team in exploring new partnerships, advising on RFPs, and providing input on contract systems and vouchers.
Fundraising Events: Plan and manage donor stewardship and fundraising events in partnership with the Communications team.
Team Development and Coaching (25%)
Mentorship and Team Growth: Provide mentorship, support, and strategic guidance to the Development team, ensuring their professional growth and effectiveness.
Team Management: Conduct performance evaluations, check-ins, and create collaboration opportunities that motivate and empower team members.
Operational Oversight: Oversee all fundraising and grant systems and processes to ensure efficient and timely use by team members.
The Skills You'll Need
Success in this role will require a deep commitment to our mission and values, along with knowledge of structural inequities and their impact on fundraising. The ideal candidate will have:
Experience: 10+ years in fundraising, including major donor cultivation and direct solicitation with a proven track record of closing 6- and 7-figure gifts, and experience with foundation and corporate giving.
Leadership: 7+ years in managing development teams and a desire to build and expand a newly growing team.
Technical Skills: Experience with donor management systems for tracking progress and making strategic decisions.
Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse backgrounds.
Project Management: Excellent project management skills with strong attention to detail.
Additional Qualifications
Experience with community-centric fundraising approaches is a plus.
A background in the criminal justice sector and/or lived experience of incarceration and/or criminal justice involvement is highly desirable.
Established partnerships within New York City and national funding communities are a plus.
Proven track record of collaborating with leadership teams, trustees, staff, and donors.
The Team
You will work closely with the Executive Director, COO, Communications team, Vice Presidents of Programs, Vice President of Organizing and Policy, and the Board on fundraising strategy. You will supervise the Major Gifts Officer, Manager of Institutional Giving, Donor Organizer, and Development Coordinator. The CDO reports directly to the Executive Director and is a key member of the Leadership Team.
About Us
Our organization operates a restorative justice-based alternative to prison and a victim service program for serious and/or violent felony cases. We bring together young individuals responsible for crimes with those they have harmed to engage in facilitated restorative justice dialogues. This innovative approach to justice distinguishes us, and we are looking for a CDO inspired by this work to contribute to our mission.
The Benefits
We offer a competitive salary ranging from $156,000 to $162,000, based on our pay scale. To ensure fairness, the salary offer will be non-negotiable. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package including robust health coverage, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, ample paid time off, wellness days, and a sabbatical program for long-term employees. Professional and leadership development are strongly supported through annual stipends, and relocation assistance is available to support your transition.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 156,000.00 162,000.00 Per Year
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Relocation package, Felony friendly,