Chief Development Officer

ABOUT THE ROLE:

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area (BBBSGSA), our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We envision a community where every young person can realize their full potential.

BBBSGSA seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead all fundraising, marketing, and communications efforts. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CDO will build and execute a comprehensive development strategy to support annual operations ($1M–$1.5M), deepen donor engagement, and expand philanthropic partnerships to sustain and grow mentoring programs for youth.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited for a collaborative professional who excels in relationship-building, strategic planning, and revenue generation within a small-to-mid-sized nonprofit setting.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

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• Develop and implement a diversified fundraising strategy that includes individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, events, and planned giving.

• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors and strategic partners.

• Oversee donor stewardship & recognition programs to ensure long-term engagement/retention.

• Work cross departmentally with the programs team, finance and operations to grow our mission and revenue.

• Serve as the development staff liaison to the Board of Directors.

• Support BOD and committees in fundraising and ambassador roles through coaching, collateral and tools.

• Represent BBBSGSA at community events, donor meetings, and with media partners.

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• Manage a portfolio of $500,000+ in major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Personally secure major gifts of $10,000+ through strategic engagement and personalized outreach.
• Cultivate at least $300,000+ in new revenue and/or partnerships annually to support strategic program growth.
• Conduct 3–5 donor meetings per week, attend local networking and industry events to grow donor base, and increase the current portfolio by 3%+ annually.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board on high-impact donor strategies and ensure timely, relationship-centered stewardship.

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• Oversee all aspects of the donor pipeline and CRM/database (e.g., DonorPerfect), ensuring accurate records, timely acknowledgment, and performance reporting.
• Direct the creation of compelling fundraising collateral, grant proposals, annual appeals, and impact reports.
• Prepare and manage the annual development budget and revenue forecasts in alignment with organizational goals and the Strategic Plan.

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• Oversight of signature fundraising events (e.g., Bowl for Kids’ Sake, annual gala, golf tournament, online giving campaigns).
• Oversight of event committees and development staff to grow fundraising event revenue for both internal and external events.
• Leverage peer-to-peer fundraising tools and ambassador networks/alumni to expand reach and participation.

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• Oversee the agency’s marketing and communication strategy to enhance visibility and support fundraising goals.
• Supervise creation of newsletters, press releases, social media campaigns, and branding materials in coordination with staff or consultants.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passion for youth development and the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or strategic development role.
• Proven success managing donor pipelines and closing major gifts ($10,000+).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in donor storytelling and proposal writing.
• Strong organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing or supervising a small development or communications team.
• Familiarity with donor CRM systems; experience with Salesforce, DonorPerfect or similar platforms preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree a plus.

TO APPLY:
Submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line: Chief Development Officer Application – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sacramento, CA 95825