The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) demonstrates executive level experience in strategic thinking and decision making and serves as a key member of the executive team. The CAO leads the development and implementation of organization-wide strategies to increase Gracelight’s fundraising capacity and is responsible for the development of Gracelight’s integrated resource development strategy. The CAO publicly embraces and represents the mission, values, and goals of the organization and its various stakeholders. The CAO leads with vision to position Gracelight for growth and optimal utilization of all resources.

The CAO works in partnership with the executive team to fulfill the vision of the organization through the implementation of its strategic plan and ensures the mission, goals, and objectives of the organization and those it serves are met.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the efforts to raise $3-4.5 million annually – with plans to grow to $6 million in the next five years through corporate, individuals, foundations and/or federal/state/city funding.
• Supports the CEO and Board of Directors in cultivating and soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and others.
• Leads a team of professionals responsible for fundraising, volunteer cultivation, corporate philanthropic support, communications, public relations, marketing, and social media functions for the organization.
• Develops new relationships, while maintaining existing relationships to build the organization's visibility, impact, and financial resources.
• Identifies and implements new revenue streams, with a focus on increasing sustainable unrestricted, private revenue.
• Leads the creation and growth of a new framework for individual giving with estate planning, sustainers, and bequests.
• Develops and implements capital campaigns.
• Evaluates and drives the use of new technology funding vehicles including social media and revamps the website and online tools for supporters.
• Plans and evaluates financial needs and fundraising plans for the organization's future.
• Attends board meetings and board committee meetings and reports on development activities as needed, in coordination with the CEO.
• Serves as an ambassador and spokesperson for the organization and articulates Gracelight’s mission to external constituents.
• Together with the CEO, educates and trains board members and senior staff in donor cultivation and professional fundraising techniques.
• Collaborates with the Chief Operating Officer to develop and produce regular analytic reports for senior management that synthesize the financial progress and trends of fundraising activities.
• Recruits, trains, manages, and mentors development staff. Continually reviews departmental infrastructure to ensure support of the organization's revenue growth goals.
• Effectively manages the development department's day-to-day operations, budget, and income forecasts.
• Oversees special events staff in planning, while critically evaluating return on investments.
• Focuses on communications to ensure consistent messaging and branding in all print and online donor communication vehicles.
• Provides strategic and marketing oversight to all donor materials, and strategic support on the full range of external stakeholder communications.
• Partners with the finance and accounting staff to sustain efficient, effective, and transparent financial tracking and reporting processes.
• Develops clear processes and collaborates with all other departments to create an understanding of and appreciation for the development function. Fosters an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration.
• Assesses and understands the healthcare needs of low-income individuals in Los Angeles County. Bi-annually prepares a Community Needs Assessment report.
• Develops and implements communications, public relations, and marketing programs to improve visibility in the community and relationships with stakeholders, including industry representatives, government officials, donors, volunteers, and employees.
• Utilizes desktop publishing software such as Adobe to draft and edit content for newsletters, brochures, other print, and media materials, ensuring compliance with editorial and brand standards.
• Establishes and manages effective working relationships with the news and entertainment media to increase visibility, including identifying story angles and writing press releases; updating and maintaining media contact lists; pitching media stories, serving as media point person, and tracking progress and success; distributing press releases to appropriate media; following up on stories as appropriate.
• Promotes Gracelight by participating in community coalitions, chambers of commerce, commissions, and similar organizations; represents the organizations at various community events, inter-agency meetings and other venues. Communicates with and provides information and materials to the media, key public officials, and community stakeholders.
• In partnership with human resources, leads employee engagement programs that help facilitate knowledge-sharing between leadership and employees at all levels of the organization (i.e. coffee sessions, newsletters, video Q&As, speaker series).