As a leading platform for nonprofit job postings, Foundation List is committed to supporting nonprofits in their recruitment efforts by providing useful resources and guidance. We understand the crucial role that Executive Directors and Chief Development Officers play in the success of nonprofit organizations and their ability to create a positive impact in our world and society in the US. To help nonprofits find exceptional leaders and empower them with the resources they need, we have developed a sample job description template for the Nonprofit Chief Development Officer (CDO) role. We hope this template will be a helpful resource for nonprofits to improve their job descriptions and recruiting strategies, and ultimately attract the best candidates for this critical role.
Job Title: Nonprofit Chief Development Officer (CDO)
Organization Overview:
[Insert organization’s mission statement and a brief overview of its history and impact]
Job Overview:
The Nonprofit Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a key executive leadership position reporting directly to the CEO. The CDO will be responsible for leading and implementing the organization’s fundraising strategy, building and managing the development team, and driving advocacy and awareness of the organization’s mission, need, and deliverables to expand mission impact and organizational growth.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Create and Implement a Comprehensive Fundraising and Marketing Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes identifying and cultivating individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects.
- Lead and manage all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, special events, and grant writing.
- Develop and implement a marketing strategy to support fundraising efforts, including creating collateral materials, social media content, and other communications to promote the organization’s mission, programs, and services.
- Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and community leaders.
2. Drive Awareness and Advocacy of the Organizational Mission, Need, and Deliverables to Expand Mission Impact and Organizational Growth
- Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of the organization’s mission, programs, and services to increase its visibility and support.
- Develop and implement strategies to engage and mobilize supporters to advocate for the organization’s mission and its impact on the community.
- Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other public forums to enhance the organization’s visibility and influence.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including potential donors, community leaders, and elected officials, to advance the organization’s mission and goals.
3. Staff Management & Mentorship
- Build and manage a high-performing development team that is aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to development staff to build their capacity to achieve fundraising goals and to support the organization’s mission and goals.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the development team and across the organization.
- Develop and implement performance metrics and evaluation tools to ensure the team’s performance meets or exceeds fundraising targets and other organizational goals.
4. Building a Donor-Centered Strategy
- Develop and implement a donor-centered fundraising approach that builds strong relationships with donors, emphasizes the organization’s mission and impact, and encourages donor engagement and investment.
- Develop and maintain a donor recognition program that celebrates and acknowledges donors’ contributions to the organization.
- Ensure the timely and accurate acknowledgement of all gifts and donations and the proper stewardship of donor relationships.
- Work with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop and maintain a robust donor pipeline to support the organization’s long-term fundraising goals.
5. Build the Infrastructure and Team to Carry Out a Well-Crafted Donor-Centered Development Plan
- Develop and maintain effective systems and processes to support fundraising and development operations, including gift processing, database management, and reporting.
- Develop and implement a fundraising plan that includes clear goals, metrics, and timelines for achieving fundraising targets.
- Build and manage a budget for the development team that is aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities and goals.
- Identify and implement technology solutions to support fundraising and development operations and to enhance donor engagement and stewardship.
6. Major Donor Cultivation & Engagement:
- Develop and implement strategies for identifying and cultivating major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, to expand the organization’s donor base.
- Develop and maintain relationships with major gift donors through personalized engagement and stewardship activities, such as one-on-one meetings, cultivation events, and recognition programs.
- Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to solicit major gifts and to develop tailored proposals and gift agreements that align with donors’ interests and the organization’s priorities.
- Develop and manage systems for tracking and reporting on major gift fundraising progress and success.
7. Executive Leadership Team Leadership, Planning and Strategy:
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, working collaboratively with the CEO and other senior leaders to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan and vision.
- Provide leadership and direction to the development team and other departments as needed to ensure alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives.
- Lead the annual planning and budgeting process for the development department, ensuring that goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
- Provide regular updates to the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising progress and challenges and make recommendations for course correction as needed.
- Represent the organization in public forums and develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and peer organizations, to advance the organization’s mission and goals.
Qualifications:
- A demonstrated passion for the organization’s mission and fundraising, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector.
- Proven experience leading grant writing programs and securing funding from a variety of sources, including Foundation, State, and Federal Grants, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with prior experience in public speaking and external relations, and the ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
- Prior experience creating strategic multiyear fundraising plans and building consensus among stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated success in staff management and mentorship, with a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and development.
- Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, and a master’s degree or other advanced degree is preferred.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Your nonprofit Chief Development Officer, will play a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission and impact. At Foundation List, we are committed to supporting nonprofits in their recruitment efforts and helping them find exceptional leaders who can make a positive difference in our communities. We hope that our sample job description template for the Nonprofit Chief Development Officer role has been a helpful resource to guide your recruiting strategy and attract the best candidates for this important position. Thank you for considering Foundation List as a partner in your search for top talent, and we wish you the best of luck in your recruitment efforts.