Key Responsibilities:
The Chief Development Officer will be responsible for planning, developing, executing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising plan for Communities In Schools that aligns to the organization’s mission and vision.

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Drive the growth of CIS of Ohio’s philanthropic revenue through strategic donor engagement and expanded funding partnerships.
• Responsible for achieving annual fundraising goals through a diversified revenue portfolio including major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and events.
• Partner with the CEO, Board Members, and staff to develop and implement a strategic and diversified fundraising plan that meets current and future goals and growth.
• Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing development team and establish systems that support long-term fundraising growth.
• Establish short- and long-range goals for restricted and unrestricted funding sources and lead the development team in developing strategies to approach current and potential donors.
• Provide strategic oversight for foundation and government grant strategy, including proposal development and reporting.
• Implement a high-quality stewardship program that engages, recognizes, and thanks supporters, to strengthen their relationship with the organization.
• Provide strategic oversight for fundraising and stewardship events that increase visibility, strengthen donor relationships, and generate philanthropic support for Communities In Schools.

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donor prospects through strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop innovative strategies to promote and increase individual giving.
• Work with development staff to increase participation in CIS giving circles with major individual donors.

External Relations

• Serve as a visible ambassador for CIS in the community by attending events and cultivating relationships with leaders across corporate, foundation, government, and education sectors.
• Oversee the development team in the overall execution of a communications and marketing strategy (including communications, public relations, promotional materials, website management, e-newsletters, and social media).

Financial Reporting

• Oversee reporting requirements, deadlines, processes, and procedures for capturing, maintaining, and reporting accurate revenue.
• Provide periodic revenue reports to the CEO, board, and senior leadership team.
• Oversee and manage revenue, department, and event budgets.
• Oversee the Bloomerang donor management system to ensure the accuracy and integrity of donor data and records.
• Work with the development team to ensure gifts are processed and acknowledged in a timely manner.
• Manage pledge collections to successfully meet or surpass quarterly revenue goals.

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partnerships

• Successfully steward current corporate and foundation donor relationships, through managing appropriate frequency of outreach, communication, and involvement.
• Manage the identification and cultivation of new corporate and foundation partnerships, as well as the grant proposal and reporting processes for these supporters.
• Manage a school sponsorship process that involves identifying, securing, and nurturing potential school sponsors, and connecting them to ongoing engagement opportunities.

Board Engagement & External Relations

• Partner with the CEO and Board leadership to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and support board members in their fundraising engagement, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Participate in board meetings and prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports as requested by the CEO and board.
• Collaborate and support the Board Chair, Advancement Committee Chair, and direct Board Members in their outreach and fundraising goals on behalf of CIS.
• Work with the CEO and senior staff to lead Communities In Schools Advisory Board and staff the Advancement Committee as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Work with the Executive Director, Board Chair and Advancement Committee Chair to ensure 100% participation in the Board giving campaign.

Organizational Initiatives

• Help shape organizational strategy and play a leadership role in implementing operating plans as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Work collaboratively with other departments on a frequent basis and with Communities In Schools’ national headquarter staff, as appropriate.
• Attend national Communities In Schools events, training workshops, or conferences (virtual or in person), as appropriate.
• Assume other tasks as delegated by the CEO.