Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Salary Range: $100K – $115K, negotiable based on experience

Reports To: CEO

*To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to candice@folar.org with the subject line “Chief Development Officer_(Your Name)”*

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the primary steward of Unrestricted fundraising for the organization. This includes monthly members, major donors, foundations and corporate sponsors, major events (including Earth with Us, RiverFest, and Habitat Restoration), and River Makers (fee for service corporate events). While there are many key players in this effort whose roles include Unrestricted fundraising – including the CEO and Board of Directors – it is the sole focus of the Chief Development Officer. As such, it is crucial the CDO is able to anticipate challenges, harness opportunities, and effectively support others to ensure all of the organization’s fundraisers are being deployed to their maximum efficacy. As the creator of the Development Department’s annual budget, the CDO is accountable to budgeted revenue and expense targets which are reviewed on a programmatic and quarterly basis. As such, the CDO should have a mastery of the organization’s giving pipeline and a command of financial management practices in order to accurately project revenues. A balance of process-orientation and ability to swiftly and creatively execute is ideal. Exceptional time management and ability to prioritize is a must.

This role is primarily external and is focused on direct fundraising and cultivation, as much as preparing others for the same, with the help of a team of 3 development staff. Success in this role is dependent upon meeting and exceeding budgeted unrestricted revenue targets, being able to confidently speak about the organization’s unique and compelling successes and programmatic practices, identifying new ways to demonstrate impact, and motivating others to do the same.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1986, FoLAR envisions a verdant Los Angeles River that supports vulnerable communities in climate adaptation. The River will be transformed into a dynamic, functioning ecosystem that reduces flood risk, cleans the air, cools temperatures, and supports the biodiversity essential to our collective wellbeing. FoLAR builds capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the Los Angeles River.

The LA River traverses through diverse communities of people, plants, and geographies. It provides an opportunity to reshape our environment in a way that is more inclusive, equitable, and just. We are committed to building a team, leadership, and a River Movement that is as diverse as the communities the River touches. We believe in working with nature and alongside communities to achieve climate resilience, park equity, and environmental health for all.

Friends of the Los Angeles River is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance and Budgeting

• Responsible for securing and surpassing $1 M+ in unrestricted funding, the majority of which should be independently won. This target is expected to increase in coming years.
• Leads the development and execution of the annual unrestricted fundraising plan for individuals and foundations for the organization.
• Accurately projects, sets and then exceeds budgeted unrestricted revenue targets and stretch goals.
• Collaborates with other executives to develop revenue targets incorporated into the annual budget and the strategic plan.
• Demonstrates a keen sense of financial management and can anticipate necessary cost-savings based on progress-to-goal.

 

Prospecting and Fundraising

• Independently identifies, cultivates and closes new major individual donors, corporate sponsors, and family foundations.
• Strategically discerns and prioritizes funding opportunities that will produce the best ROI for the organization.
• Works alongside other departments to identify and strategize around potential funding sources for their programs.
• Develops efficient and effective processes of collaboration with key team members for the grant application and review process.
• Leads the Development team in identifying and strategizing prospective corporate, foundation, individual and grant-making funders for both unrestricted and restricted funds.
• Supports the CEO and Board in securing meetings with and preparing for pitches to key funders and prospects.
• Provides the CEO and Board with all necessary updates on a quarterly basis and in a timely manner.
• Keeps a consistent cadence of updates and check-ins with major donors/funders and supports the CEO and Board in doing the same.
• Prioritizes the majority of their time in cultivating relationships and soliciting funders.

 

Leadership

• Oversees a department of 3 staff, including the Senior Manager of Projects and Events, the Fundraising and Projects Coordinator, and the Development Assistant.
• Efficiently delegates the administrative and back-end operational work of the development department to the team.
• Identifies and oversees the creation of the key collateral and other tools needed for successful fundraising and annual campaigns.
• Is creative, entrepreneurial and has a solid understanding of both traditional fundraising best practices and out-of-the-box opportunistic approaches.
• Leads the event team and provides insights and ideas around donor cultivation and fundraising approaches at key events.
• Oversees the development team in the consistent use of FoLAR’s CRM database and identifies new efficiencies and processes in the management of the Development Department.
• Is confident, compelling and adaptive in front of funders.
• Helps lead by example and set the tone for the junior staff as a member of the executive team.
• Manages one sub-committee of the Board of Directors.

 

Events

• Manage the Sr. Project and Events Manager in the planning and execution of FoLAR’s signature events – The Great LA River CleanUp, River Fest, Habitat Restoration, Corporate Events and Earth Month initiatives.
• Support the Sr. Project and Events Manager during the fall fundraiser pre-raise and assist with on-site fundraising activities at FoLAR’s fall fundraiser–River Fest.
• Provide events management support during the fall fundraiser and at smaller donor events throughout the year.

 

Grants

• Lead the Development team through the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundation, corporate sources and public agencies.
• Collaborate with the managers and key personnel to determine the types of grants needed.
• Perform prospect research on foundations and corporations to evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants.
• Comply with all grant reporting as required by foundation/corporate donors.
• Provide regular updates to corporate and foundation donors.

 

Membership Program

• Oversee the creative strategies set by the Sr. Project and Events Manager to acquire, upgrade, and renew donors through integrated solicitation campaigns.
• Oversee the Sr. Project and Events Manager to track, measure, analyze and report on key membership appeals and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• 7+ years of experience in the nonprofit, fundraising, brand marketing or business development fields.
• 3+ years of people management experience.
• Strong command of fundraising best practices.
• Interest in/passion for environmental and community-oriented causes.
• Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape of Los Angeles and ability to confidently move in those circles.
• Demonstrated success in managing and growing $1-2M+ revenues.
• Team player: ability to effectively delegate, collaborate and comfortably receive input and ideas from others.
• Extrovert: this is largely a frontline fundraising position, being a “people person” is a must.
• Entrepreneurial: you are a creative problem solver and are not afraid to try new things.
• Highly strategic in how you make decisions and recommendations.
• You show innovation and initiative in how you “manage up.”
• Strong financial and budget-management literacy.
• Clear communicator.
• Punctual.
• Spanish fluency is strongly encouraged.
• Women and people of color are strongly encouraged.

 

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision benefits (75% covered)
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Unlimited Discretionary Paid Leave (PTO) in addition to 10 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, and additional paid time off between Christmas and New Years
• Generous family leave and sabbatical leave opportunities
• Flexible work schedule and remote work options
• Close, passionate, fun, and creative team environment
• Opportunities to grow with the organization
• Beautiful office location

 

FOLAR’S EQUITY STATEMENT

The LA River traverses through diverse communities of people, plants, and geographies. It provides an opportunity to reshape our environment in a way that is more inclusive, equitable, and just. We are committed to building a team, leadership, and a River Movement that is as diverse as the communities the River touches. We believe in working with nature and alongside communities to achieve climate resilience, park equity, and environmental health for all. Friends of the Los Angeles River is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

**To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to candice@folar.org with the subject line Chief Development Officer_(Your Name)**

Equity at FoLAR

The LA River traverses through diverse communities of people, plants, and geographies. It provides an opportunity to reshape our environment in a way that is more inclusive, equitable, and just. We are committed to building a team, leadership, and a River Movement that is as diverse as the communities the River touches. We believe in working with nature and alongside communities to achieve climate resilience, park equity, and environmental health for all.

Friends of the Los Angeles River is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.