Skip to main content

Chief Development Officer

National CASA/GAL Association

Chief Development Officer

Location: Seattle, WA; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC

The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children fulfills society’s most fundamental obligation to support children and families by making sure a qualified and compassionate adult will fight for and protect the best interests of children who have experienced abused or neglect. The mission of the National CASA/GAL Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court‐appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. Today, only 45% of the children who have been placed in the child welfare system, due to allegations of abuse or neglect, have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer. The National CASA/GAL organization is committed to ensuring 100% of these children have access to a dedicated, caring CASA or GAL volunteer.

ABOUT THE CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will serve as a key member of the executive team at National CASA/GAL, reporting to the Deputy CEO and working closely with the CEO to set strategy for ongoing revenue growth. The CDO will be expected to build a comprehensive development program to grow philanthropic revenue from individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of National CASA/GAL’s mission and vision. The CDO will partner closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO, Chief Communications Officer, and Deputy Chief Marketing Officer to generate sustainable revenue for the organization. The CDO will manage a Philanthropy Database Specialist, with potential to grow the team as revenue increases.

The ideal candidate will have a visionary and entrepreneurial approach to their work, a deep passion for the mission and vision of National CASA/GAL, strong leadership skills to support a national team, and excellent fundraising abilities to build major and leadership gifts from new and existing high-net worth donors and prospects. The Chief Development Officer will carry a portfolio of major donors, and staff the CEO and other senior leaders as appropriate to further philanthropic relationships. To be successful, the Chief Development Officer must be a confident, collaborative, hands-on, and results-oriented leader who can articulate clear and compelling cases for support that ensure the growth and vitality of one of the nation’s premier supporters of some of the most vulnerable children.

MAJOR OBJECTIVES
Within the first 12 to 24 months, the Chief Development Officer will achieve the following major objectives:

  • Develop and implement a strategic development plan that creates the infrastructure needed to support a sustainable, growing program and broadens the engagement of individual donors significantly.
  • Identify new and existing major donors with greater capacity to give to National CASA/GAL and ensure an effective moves management system that cultivates increased support.
  • Develop a portfolio of donors that will generate $3 million annually.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Development Officer will have the following primary responsibilities:

  • Serve as both high-level philanthropy strategist and hands-on leader for the development team, with the ability to leverage the CEO, executive team, and Board of Trustees to further critical donor relationships.
  • Assess existing development activities, identify areas with potential for short- and long-term growth, and build plans and strategies to pursue both.
  • Lead a targeted strategy that enhances private philanthropy and builds a pipeline for major gifts from new and existing high-net worth donors and prospects.
  • Lead, manage, develop, and mentor the development team in a manner that ensures a successful comprehensive fundraising program.
  • Establish the infrastructure, processes, and practices that align with the standard of excellence established for National CASA/GAL.
  • Manage a portfolio of National CASA/GAL’s top prospects, focusing on a pipeline of sixand seven-figure prospects.
  • Set clear objectives, goals, and metrics for the development team to guide sustainable growth in philanthropic funding.
  • Investigate ways to engage and leverage relationships with more than 100,000 volunteers and alumni across the National CASA/GAL network.
  • Establish guidelines and best practices for pursuing collaborative joint funding opportunities across national, regional, and local levels.
  • Build institutional funding relationships – both corporate and foundation – to generate additional unrestricted funding.
  • Partner with the CEO and Deputy CEO to develop a strategy and compelling case for securing additional federal revenue and grant funding.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal Chief Development Officer will bring most of the following qualifications and skill sets:

  • A passionate commitment to the mission, vision, and values of National CASA/GAL.
  • A minimum of seven years of senior leadership experience managing successful fundraising teams; prior experience with a national and/or federated nonprofit organization is preferred.
  • Proven experience building and growing a comprehensive fundraising program, with a particular focus on major, annual, corporate, and foundation giving; demonstrated experience cultivating and soliciting six- and seven-figure gifts.
  • Proven ability to balance being both a strategic and hands-on development leader while partnering with a visionary and vibrant CEO to drive transformative growth.
  • Demonstrated success in working collaboratively with senior leadership teams, board members, and volunteers.
  • Ability to recruit and hire development staff with the skillsets to have immediate impact; proven experience retaining and motivating staff to achieve and exceed goals.
  • Proficiency using data to establish a robust donor pipeline and strategy for sustainable growth.
  • Excellent communication skills, including strong listening, written, verbal and presentation skills.
  • Exceptional emotional intelligence, integrity, and grit; the ability to be a creative and critical thought partner with a “can-do” approach to challenges.
  • Strong knowledge of advancement and donor database management systems, particularly Raiser’s Edge.
  • The ability to travel as needed and attend evening and weekend events.
  • A bachelor’s degree is required for this role.

To learn more about compensation & benefits, please visit the full position guide.

APPLICATION
National CASA/GAL has retained Campbell & Company to conduct this search. The team for this project includes Colleen Rogers, Senior Consultant, and Angèle Bubna, Associate Consultant. To be considered for this opportunity, please send a letter of interest and resume to:

Angèle Bubna
Associate Consultant, Executive Search
angele.bubna@campbellcompany.com