Chief Philanthropy Officer

Chief Philanthropy Officer

FLSA Status: Full-time Salaried Exempt

Salary Range: $150000 to $200000 DOE

Job Location: Remote must be in California (works from home with required travel)

ABOUT US

California Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association founded in 1987 is part of a national volunteer movement supporting the needs and well-being of children and youth in foster care. Today CASA is one of the largest volunteer opportunities in the country with more than 900 individual CASA programs nationwide in 49 states. The organization currently has a staff of 14 and a 17-member Board of Directors who represent all areas of the state and are committed to the cause of CASA. Our mission vision and values are articulated here. For further information about our programs and impact please refer to our FY2024-2025 Impact Report.

POSITION OVERVIEW

California CASA Association (CA CASA) seeks a full-time dynamic and experienced Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) who shares our commitment to securing the financial resources necessary to expand Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer services to youth in the California foster care and juvenile justice systems and to advancing equity and inclusion within the communities we serve. The CPO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and oversees a talented team of 4 professionals with expertise in philanthropy grants database management and marketing & communications. The ideal candidate works independently and collaboratively and is a strategic thinker with a track record of successful fundraising for nonprofit organizations. They will bring a passion for service a learning mindset and the ability to effectively manage tight deadlines while addition to fundraising for CA CASAs operational needs the CPO and the Philanthropy team will help support the statewide CASA network by providing fundraising counsel as needed. The CPO at CA CASA will bring an open mind entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to learn from others. They will be a servant-leader energetic diplomatic adaptable and humble with a good sense of CASA is committed to creating an inclusive environment and values the unique perspectives that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to our team. We encourage qualified applicants of all experiences and backgrounds to apply.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising for California CASA

• Lead strategy and implementation to ensure that CA CASAs short- and long-term fundraising goals ($to $annually) are achieved through multiple approaches to diverse donors.
• Create an annual written fundraising plan that is clear in its objectives goals target audiences timelines and assignment of responsibilities.
• Lead the Philanthropy team to meet or exceed fundraising goals. Hire develop supervise coach and evaluate team members and create a supportive goal-oriented productive work culture based on CA CASAs organizational values. Set clear measurable goals and regularly evaluate team performance. Provide effective coaching supportive feedback and performance evaluations. Ensure that team members develop the technical abilities leadership and skills they need to be successful and grow in their professions.
• Build and maintain a portfolio of top individual foundation and corporate donors and prospects; develop and implement strategies for engagement and increased giving.
• Play key role with senior leadership in developing and funding long-term and strategic fundraising initiatives including major state appropriations and overseeing proposals participating in writing/editing as needed.
• Advise the CEO on strategic high-priority relationship-building and fundraising opportunities; ensuring effective use of the CEOs time.
• Supervise and lead an effective Institutional Grants strategy with private foundations and corporations. Supervise grantwriting and grants administration; as needed edit and approve written grant materials and occasionally contribute to major request proposals. Ensure that there is an active grants calendar ongoing research into new grant prospects and prompt and effective grants administration and reporting.
• Work with a cross-departmental team to prepare applications for new government grants/funding and reports for awarded contracts/grants; and collaborate with the CFOO in terms of government contract/grant financial administration and related invoicing.
• Using the CRM platform DonorPerfect ensure active and ongoing prospect and donor research to expand our donor pipeline and be accountable for growth in the donor prospect pool. Oversee gift processing ensure accurate records are kept. and that all donors receive appropriate timely well-written acknowledgements.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and leadership team to create the annual operating budget by providing accurate expense projections and the best revenue forecasts possible.
• Act as liaison to the Board of Directors Philanthropy Committee; work with Philanthropy Committee Chair on strategic efforts; and ensure preparation of philanthropy reports for CEO and for Board meetings as requested.
• Oversee and direct creation or updating of philanthropy materials as needed e.g. case statements direct mail solicitations brochures and website.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of fundraising activities to ensure quality efficiency and productivity.
• Develop legacy/planned giving opportunities strategy and materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Marketing & Communications for California CASA

• Supervise and oversee marketing and communications activities including the two-person team (Director of Marketing & Communications and Graphic Designer/Marketing Specialist).
• Serve as a thought partner to the Director of Marketing & Communications for creative projects and other marketing activities.
• Oversee the creation of marketing collateral and campaigns as needed (i.e. case statements direct mail solicitations brochures website materials ads).
• Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in relevant subject (e.g. nonprofit management philanthropy communications). Graduate degree a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years experience in senior leadership positions focused on nonprofit development and philanthropy. CFRE desirable. Knowledge of and commitment to AFP fundraising ethics rules and protocols.
• Demonstrated experience supervising fundraising and marketing/communications staff effectively leading people and managing systems to achieve fundraising and marketing/communications goals. Ability to cultivate a work culture that is high-performing innovative creative inspiring and fun.
• Demonstrated experience leading a marketing and communications team to advance brand awareness and philanthropic success.
• Knowledge of passion for and/or experience with successful fundraising for CASA a plus as well as knowledge of the child welfare system and dependency and juvenile justice courts.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ATTRIBUTES & ABILITIES

• The successful candidate will be visionary: an optimistic innovative entrepreneurial leader with a track record for turning ideas and goals into action and results.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required. Must have the ability to compose and deliver effective persuasive and compelling presentations to donors and prospects in print or in person; and to engage inspire and educate in personal meetings group settings and in written form. Some experience in professional training and teaching is a plus either in person/virtual platforms.
• Must have comfort in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and in making high-dollar asks as well as experience with securing large foundation corporate and governmental grants.
• Model honesty transparency and fairness in all decisions; build trust with staff donors board members and partners by consistently aligning actions with organizational values and ethical fundraising standards.
• Outstanding organizational skills are required including demonstrated experience with Moves Management strategy. Must be able to set priorities delegate and influence upward and laterally in order to ensure key actions in the philanthropy plan are executed by all stakeholders including the CEO. Ability to evaluate results and adapt plans as needed to improve future performance.
• Possesses strong financial skills including familiarity with budgets fiscal analysis and financial statements. Ability to comprehend and analyze financial and statistical data and donor databases. Understands data security principles and best practices as they relate to fundraising.
• Experience leading organizational and operational change and operational scaling.
• Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion. History of working effectively with all people irrespective of their history economic status challenges race gender education or sexual orientation; embraces the importance of diversity with demonstrated experience working in diverse organizations. Experience in building a donor pipeline that includes diverse representation is a plus.
• Proficient advanced skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint) are desired; as well as experience with DonorPerfect or other CRM/donor management software.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with Planned/Legacy Giving is a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• A competitive compensation package is offered with a salary in the range of $150000 to $200000 depending on experience professional qualifications and education.
• CA CASA staff work 100% remotely with no permanent physical office (office equipment provided). We are seeking a CPO candidate who resides in California or plans to do so.
• The CPO will be expected to attend meetings with staff donors and board members as well as participate in various business and social events. There will be occasional out-of-town overnight travel.
• The CPO will engage in intermittent physical activities including bending reaching sitting and walking during working hours. It is anticipated the person may spend many hours each day seated at their home office computer. Reasonable accommodation is offered to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass background checks in compliance with California Rule of Court 5.655. Must have a valid drivers license and automobile insurance is required. Must have a satisfactory driving record and regular access to a vehicle for meetings and activities
• Employee benefits include: Medical Dental Vision coverage Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 403(b) Retirement Plan 403(b) Employer Match Flexible Spending Account (Health and Dependent Care) Vacation/Personal Days and Paid Sick Time.

TO APPLY

Please send resume and cover letter explaining how you believe your skills background and work experience meet this positions qualifications. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. No phone calls please.

CA CASA is an inclusive welcoming and affirming organization that values celebrates & actively seeks out diverse candidates. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race religious creed color national origin ancestry physical or mental disability medical condition genetic information marital status (including registered domestic partnership status) sex and gender (including pregnancy childbirth lactation and related medical conditions) gender identity and gender expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning have transitioned or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify) age (40 or over) sexual orientation Civil Air Patrol status military & veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable federal state or local CASA prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.