Description

Since its founding in 1984, STRIVE’s mission has been singular: Break cycles of poverty by equipping the underserved for meaningful and lasting employment. It has since catapulted the careers of nearly 90,000 alumni. Beginning in East Harlem, and now operating throughout New York City, Atlanta, Birmingham, and New Orleans, STRIVE, guided by a new 10-Year Growth Plan, by 2033, will operate sites in up to 20 major US cities, increasing the number of students it serves annually from 2,000 to 10,000. STRIVE can do this work because every member of its board, leadership, and staff—dating back to its founders—is committed to the idea that all human beings are deserving of dignity and livable participation in the labor market. STRIVE is unequivocal in stating plainly that systemic inequality exists and that it must be eradicated. This conviction is absolute, and it guides all STRIVE storytelling, fundraising, and external engagement. It is on this foundation of equity in practice that STRIVE seeks its first Chief Development Officer (CDO) to mobilize $20 million annually in philanthropic support.

Anchored by lead investments from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Ballmer Group, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Blue Meridian Partners, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, and Truist Foundation, STRIVE now seeks an accomplished fundraiser to build a national individual giving program, personally sourcing and cultivating a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals; scale its corporate and institutional grant portfolio; and secure renewable government workforce development funding from federal and local governments. 

Reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of the executive team, the CDO will build and lead a 10-person department comprising individual giving, institutional giving, donor stewardship, development operations, special events, and public policy and investment. Guided by data, the CDO will instill a culture of ambitious donor prospecting, deepen and scale corporate and foundation partnerships, develop earned income opportunities with current and future employer partners, advise and propel executive directors in their local fundraising pursuits, and assist the Board and CEO in the identification and recruitment of new Board members. 

The CDO will also lead their team through final preparations in the run-up to the 40-Year Anniversary Gala this November. And toward all these ends, they will prioritize and enjoy close thought and tactical partnership with the inaugural Chief Marketing Officer—a key peer hired this year. 

Ambition, innovation, and excellence will characterize STRIVE’s next chapter of philanthropy. The CDO will bring a 15-to-20-year record of success personally identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major, principal, and leadership gifts from individuals and foundations, and having achieved substantial revenue growth for their organizations. This will represent the core metric of their success.

They will also be unwavering in their lived commitment to racial equity and the dignity of all human beings; have experience translating grand vision into creative modes of donor engagement and cutting edge fundraising strategy; a thought partner to boards and senior leadership; a writer capable of elegantly communicating with all funding audiences; and, finally, a public speaker, able to capture the consciousness and imagination of any listener, inspiring their partnership, philanthropy, and ambassadorship.

STRIVE has retained Lionel Anderson of JM Search to assist in this recruitment. All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and résumés accompanied by bespoke letters of interest should be submitted electronically to STRIVE_CDO@JMSearch.com.