Chief Development Officer

About DC-CAP

Established in the Fall of 1999 by major Washington-area corporations and foundations, DC-CAP is a privately-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging and enabling DC public high school students to enroll in and graduate from college.

DC-CAP is unique from other college access programs around the country for two reasons. First, every DC public and public charter high school student is eligible for DC-CAP services, regardless of academic history, grade point average, family income, citizenship status, ethnicity, special education eligibility, delinquency or juvenile criminal history. Unlike other programs, DC-CAP believes in an expansive approach to college access. Whereas many other programs set criteria that disqualify students from participation, the principle operating philosophy at DC-CAP is that every single high school student has the right to an opportunity to improve their quality of life through a college education. The second unique feature of DC-CAP is that we continue to support the students for up to five years after high school graduation so that they have the best chance of completing their education.

Summary

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Development Officer will be instrumental in developing and implementing strategy that encourages continued support of DC-CAP’s mission and programs and promotes a culture of philanthropy. The Chief Development Officer will define the organization’s vision and direction to achieve philanthropic goals, ensuring DC-CAP’s growth and success; establish and cultivate relationships with core funding partners and prospects; lead an expanding team of development professionals; and serve as an ambassador of the organization.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO, staff, and governing board to facilitate short and long-term strategic plans to meet annual $5M philanthropic goal and advance organizational priorities
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and ensure that fund development is executed in alignment with the organization's values, vision, and mission
• Participate with the CEO and senior management to plan the organization's fund development course and programs
• Cultivate a balanced mix of donor sources and fundraising programs to attract and retain donors including individual donors, foundations, corporations and government grants.
• Establish and develop and individual giving program, instituting moves management and other pipeline development initiatives to secure major gifts and build major donor support for DC-CAP
• Lead a team of development professionals. Provide on-going guidance and motivation, ensure strong internal communication, evaluate performance, and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Manage a personal portfolio of 50-75 high-net-worth individual prospects and donors to independently secure $1.5M through direct solicitation of leadership prospects
• Support the advancement of the President & CEO’s donor portfolio
• Engage the Board of Directors, cultivating a strong relationship between the Board and the organization
• Collaborate with senior management to shape and deliver consistent messaging around DC-CAP’s programs and mission, increasing visibility of the organization and opportunities for support
• Ensure efficient execution of development operations and functions to meet and exceed philanthropic goals
• Establish performance measures, monitor results, and evaluate the efficacy of the development program
• Identify and address development issues that affect the well-being and success of the organization
• Maintain accountability and ensure compliance with all regulations and laws, as well as the code of ethics for fundraising professionals
• Represent DC-CAP at events and community functions; serve as an ambassador of the organization
• Keep abreast of developments in philanthropy and fund development

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in any field of study required
• CFRE preferred
• 7-10 years of development experience with at least 3 years of management responsibility
• Proven track record of success in fundraising, particularly with individual major donors
• Successful solicitation of individual donors to secure 5- and 6- figure gifts
• Experience with and affinity for building fundraising teams, systems and processes
• Strong interpersonal, decision-making, and leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Confident public speaking abilities; grace and poise in external-facing roles
• Analytical thinking and ability to analyze data
• Complex problem-solving ability
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Occasional travel required