Position Announcement

Chief Development Officer

Reports to: Managing Director
Supervisory Role: Yes
Status: Full-time; Exempt
Travel: Yes – up to 25%
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
Compensation: While the full range for this level is $165k to $225k, the starting salary is $165k - $190k
Application Link: https://screeningapps.insperity.com/candidate/otp/post/277cbc44-deb1-49ef-92f8-0d49ee4e89b6
*Please combine your resume and cover letter into a single PDF and upload it as an attachment with your Insperity application*

About Native Americans in Philanthropy

Native Americans in Philanthropy’s (NAP) mission is to promote equitable and effective philanthropy in Native communities. We do this by increasing engagement and funding to Native-led organizations; increasing and supporting Native professionals in philanthropy; and transforming and influencing the philanthropic sector to be in alignment with an Indigenous worldview. We also aim to improve the availability of regular, reliable data and Indigenous-led research on Native communities and their relation to philanthropy. NAP’s new strategic plan seeks to increase awareness among key constituents and engage Native and non-Native philanthropic professionals, Tribal Nations, and Native-led nonprofits with NAP’s resources, activities, and programs.

About the Position

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a new leadership position responsible for all fundraising streams for an eight-figure annual budget. The CDO will integrate and elevate NAP’s funder relations, development, membership, and communications functions into a cohesive strategic operation. This role serves as the head of NAP’s engagement strategy with funders, members, partners, and stakeholders, ensuring that our impact story is effectively communicated and that philanthropic and membership relationships are deepened and expanded. The CDO will lead efforts to position NAP as a trusted leader in philanthropy while driving revenue growth, strengthening member engagement, and enhancing brand presence.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and supervising the Development, Membership, and Communications functions, the CDO will execute the vision and strategy adopted by the Board of Directors and in support of executive leadership. In this position’s role as primary fundraiser for NAP, it will achieve established goals to ensure financial stability. The CDO will align fundraising, membership growth, and impact storytelling, ensuring that our message resonates with current and prospective funders and members while authentically representing the communities we serve.

Primary Responsibilities

Enterprise-wide Strategic Leadership

• Engage the Board of Directors as strategic ambassadors and connectors within the philanthropic sector, equipping members for funder cultivation and peer engagement, and providing regular reporting on development and membership progress
• Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year engagement strategy that integrates funder relations, development, sponsorship, membership, and communications to advance NAP's mission and strategic goal to increase resources to Tribal communities
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational planning and strategic direction
• Establish and achieve revenue goals and execute and leverage compelling strategic campaigns that elevate NAP's visibility and impact
• Lead integrated campaigns that combine fundraising, membership growth, advocacy, and communications to advance strategic priorities
• As needed, oversee and guide work with external contractors, including developing any RFPs and selecting vendors, according to NAP’s policies
• Build a culture of philanthropy and membership engagement across the NAP team by providing regular updates, dashboards, and trainings about development, communications, and member stewardship

Revenue Generation: Development and Membership 

• Serve as lead solicitor for transformational gifts of seven figures and above, partnering with the CEO, Managing Director, Board, and program leadership to develop tailored cultivation strategies and close major commitments
• Oversight for building a stewardship and engagement plan that defines the strategy for levels of involvement across NAP to grow and maintain key relationships
• Provide oversight and strategic guidance for NAP’s membership program, particularly around establishing goals to increase membership, engage existing and future members to drive retention rates, and measure impact
• Design innovative engagement opportunities for funders including briefings, convenings, and collaborative learning experiences
• Oversight for fund resource allocation and regranting to align with strategic organizational goals and grant requirements
• Oversee grant writing, proposal development, reporting, membership campaigns, renewal strategies, and the creation of impact reports and multimedia content that demonstrate NAP's value proposition
• Strategic oversight for the development of all letters, proposals, reports, materials, briefings, membership communications, and funder-facing materials; where necessary, provide final signoff on these materials
• Define and monitor fundraising metrics, pipeline development, and engagement outcomes, providing regular analysis and recommendations to leadership

Communications: Strategic Positioning & Impact

• Position NAP as a leading voice in philanthropy through thought leadership content and strategic initiatives
• Ensure communications strategies support development and membership goals and funder engagement while authentically representing Native communities
• Directs and guides NAP’s storytelling to bring Tribal community issues to light and build pathways for funders and partners to provide support
• Create innovative approaches to engage diverse stakeholders including Native-led nonprofits, Tribal Nations, and philanthropic institutions
• Lead efforts to diversify and expand NAP's funding and membership base, identifying emerging opportunities in the philanthropic landscape
• Manage and direct cross-functional teams to execute major initiatives, funder tours, and convenings that strengthen NAP's network

• Ensure a culture of data where outcomes are tracked, reported on, and data and insights are used to measure impact, refine strategies, and demonstrate return on investment and member value

Supervision and General Management Responsibilities

• Supervision of the Director of Communications, Director of Development, Membership Engagement Administrator, and Education Resource Facilitator
• Create annual budgets and regularly monitor, update, and forecast revenue projections to achieve annual goals
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Programs Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President of Administration to achieve organizational goals

Non-Essential Job Duties

• Other related duties as assigned
• Participate in organizational planning and staff activities
• Represent NAP at conferences, convenings, and philanthropic sector events
• Support special projects and initiatives as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Deep understanding of the philanthropic sector, with demonstrated success in securing transformational major gifts, securing sponsorships, and upper six- and seven-figure institutional grants
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to strategically engage and inspire diverse stakeholders including foundation executives, corporate leaders, Tribal leadership, and individual donors
• Ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing high-performing development and communications teams
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and integrate multiple functions toward common goals
• Experience with integrated campaigns that combine development, communications, and programmatic elements
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and communications/marketing tools (HubSpot, Constant Contact, and Streamyard preferred).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit management, development, public relations, business, or related field
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, communications, or related field, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role
• Experience managing and integrating development and communications functions
• Prior supervisory experience with a track record of building and leading effective teams
• Experience in the philanthropic sector or with philanthropy-serving organizations a plus

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lead Teams, Zoom, and other video conference calls and use computer equipment for extended periods of time.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time for events, conferences, and staff meetings.

Commitment to Equity

Native Americans in Philanthropy is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job, without regard to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or marital status, and to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.

Americans with Disability Act

Native Americans in Philanthropy complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact hr@nativephilanthropy.org.