Chief Development Officer

[Location: United States, remote/hybrid]

Have you asked yourself what it must be like to be a teenager right now?

High schoolers today are growing up in a world of economic uncertainty. Only 1 in 4 students graduate feeling prepared for their future, whether that’s college or career. That’s not good enough. Every young person deserves to know where they belong in the economy.

Hope Street is building what should already exist - a national career guidance system that ensures every high school student, no matter their background, has the inspiration, support, and opportunities they need to create their own future. The difference this time - AI makes it possible for us to do this with both scale and efficacy.

As we enter our next phase of growth, we’re looking for a visionary philanthropic leader to help us scale this effort, and empower millions of high school students to turn career possibilities into economic reality.

About Hope Street

At Hope Street, we've already proven that AI can do more than inform—it can inspire. It helps students become more ambitious, gain clarity, and build confidence in their future

We have created a career discovery app that is 10x better than existing career readiness solutions at inspiring students towards action. We know this because we’ve seen…

• 77% of our students return to the app unprompted to speak to AI professionals
• 87% of students learn how to prepare for a career while in high school (n = 242)
• students talking to AI professionals at 4AM, asking “what happens if I’m sick on the job?”
• students take action and make life-changing decisions
  • “My elective class could help me become a 3D modeler”
  • “I learned about how to construct an art portfolio”
  • “Hope Street opened my eyes to college. It changed my perspective on continuing my education. It was helpful to map out a career path so I wasn't just going to college without a purpose”

At Hope Street, we are fully focused on building AI-powered career guidance for high school students. We will not rest until 100% of high school students graduate ready for college and career.

And this is just the beginning. As millions of students use AI to navigate careers, we’ll gain an unprecedented understanding of the real barriers they face—what’s holding them back, what they need, and where the gaps are. With this insight, we can galvanize the entire education, nonprofit, and local community ecosystems to ensure students don’t just dream about a better future—they have the support to make it real.

What you’ll do:

• Together with the CEO, you will lead the effort to raise $5M in new funds in your first 6-12 months
• Position Hope Street as the philanthropic leader in AI-driven career guidance. You will inspire national and regional donors to see this work as a necessary, high-impact investment in the future of education.
• You will lead the creation of our philanthropy practices from scratch, defining what philanthropy at Hope Street looks like and building a culture of giving that reflects our mission and values
• You will shepherd our board toward greater engagement, helping them see their potential as powerful advocates and connectors
• You will shape the philanthropic identity of Hope Street: we are inspiring, inclusive, curious, and ambitious - and our fundraising strategy should reflect that. (learn more about our values-in-action)

How will you do it?

• You’ll navigate philanthropy like an insider. You don’t just knock on doors—you already know who holds the keys. You build trust within donor ecosystems, positioning Hope Street in the right rooms, at the right moments, with the right champions.
• You’ll turn relationships into momentum. You don’t just meet people—you activate them. You understand when to make the ask, who to bring in, and how to turn warm interest into real investment.
• You’ll drive funding processes from start to finish—securing commitments and moving money. You know how to navigate complex grant applications, reporting structures, and donor stewardship without getting stuck in red tape. You keep momentum high and make sure dollars actually move.
• You’ll shape the philanthropic conversation around AI in education. Funders need to understand why AI-driven career guidance is the future. You’ll help make Hope Street the leading philanthropic investment in this space.

Who are you?

• You have 10+ years of fundraising experience, with a strong track record in securing major philanthropic investments from national foundations and mission-aligned donors.
• You have personally raised $5M+ annually and know how to cultivate, secure, and steward transformational gifts.
• You have successfully built new philanthropic practices from the ground up, ideally multiple times
• You’re a fundraiser because
  • You believe fundraising is one of the most powerful forces for good. It’s not about securing funds—it’s about connecting people to a vision that expands their own sense of possibility
  • You love the challenge of moving money and influence. You know how to navigate power, unlock resources, and turn “maybe” into “yes.” Red tape doesn’t slow you down—you find the way through.
  • You want to create once-in-a-lifetime impact. This isn’t just another role—it’s a chance to fund something that will change how we prepare young people for the future. You want to look back and say, “I helped build that.”

What will you get?

• Pay: $180K - $220K salary, with $30K bonus
• Medical/dental/vision premiums covered at 90%
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Budget for personal/professional development
• Join school launches and be inspired by students
• Work on the cutting edge and seeing how generative AI can not only inform, but inspire and empower students
• Join a mission-driven, fun, collaborative team