Chief Advancement Officer

Thrive Scholars (New Kensington Group)

Job Description

The Organization 
At Thrive Scholars, our goal is to see talented BIPOC students from economically disadvantaged communities develop economic mobility and financial security, and become the diverse corporate, civic, and academic leaders our country so desperately needs. 
 
Our comprehensive, data-driven, high-touch program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college, and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in careers that position them for career mobility. Over our six-year program spanning junior year of high school through college graduation, Scholars benefit from expert college advising, academic preparation, social-emotional and academic support, financial support and career development. 
 
Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. 

JOB SUMMARY
Over the last three years, Thrive Scholars has grown from 18 staff and a $6M budget to 80 staff and a $20M budget. We are currently embarking on a new strategic plan and expect to gradually increase our budget to $40M by 2027.

Given the growth-to-date and the projected growth, Thrive Scholars seeks a dynamic, strategically-minded, goal-driven, strong relationship manager to assume the responsibility of the organization’s next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). 
 
Thrive Scholars’ Chief Advancement Officer leads the planning and implementation of a multi-year, comprehensive fundraising program to significantly increase philanthropic revenue from individuals, corporations and foundations to support the organization’s mission and vision.  The person in this position will strengthen and facilitate relationships with current and future supporters, solicit contributions on behalf of the organization, and expand a community of philanthropic investors who share a belief in the unique role that Thrive Scholars plays providing high-achieving students of color from economically under-resourced communities the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in careers that position them for economic mobility.

In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, this position is responsible for attracting philanthropic support for programmatic and operational priorities. The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build Thrive Scholars’ visibility, impact, and financial resources.  

Candidates should be experienced fundraising leaders who have a track record of building comprehensive fundraising and communications programs.  They should possess a strong strategic focus with a keen appreciation of operational requirements.  Experience working with a multi-site organization is required, and candidates should have experience raising significant resources that have grown over time, managing a personal portfolio closing major gifts, working in partnership with staff and volunteer teams, particularly in environments without the natural donor constituencies enjoyed by colleges, hospitals, and cultural institutions.

The CAO will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and will report to Thrive Scholars’ Chief Executive Officer. Currently, our development team includes 14 professionals leading major gifts, foundation relations, Thrive Scholars’ regions, communications and other support areas.   The CAO will have the opportunity to shape the structure of the team moving forward. 
 
The Chief Advancement Officer supports the fundraising efforts of the National Board of Directors.
 
The CAO can be based anywhere in the United States. This role will include national travel, including travel to Board meetings, staff retreats, and donor meetings.

Core Responsibilities:

Lead:  Implement a comprehensive fundraising program.
  • Maximize revenue nationally and in all local Thrive Scholars regions
  • Implement fundraising strategies and programs to achieve annual and multi-year fundraising goals to fuel Thrive Scholars programs and operations.
  • Increase philanthropic support from individuals by attracting leadership, major and planned gifts, and from institutional funders, including foundations and corporations.
  • Prepare multi-year and annual fundraising growth plans in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer.
  • Leverage the philanthropic potential of all donors, ensuring donors have an excellent experience when supporting Thrive Scholars. Implement strong prospect cultivation and donor stewardship practices for all staff and volunteers nationally and locally to embrace.
  • Provide leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all aspects of the organization’s development efforts.
  • Oversee the creation of Thrive Scholars publications, including donor correspondence, annual reports, and press releases.

Generate Revenue:  Raise the philanthropic resources necessary to achieve Thrive Scholars’ impact goals.
  • Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors who have the potential to provide significant charitable gifts to the organization. Cultivate prospects and steward donor relationship through outstanding communication, engagement and recognition.
  • Identify new funding prospects to support the organization.
  • Serve as a passionate proponent of the organization and its mission. Appropriately represent the organization, its Board of Directors and staff leadership to donors and prospects.
 
People Leadership:  Ensure that development team members are equipped to excel in their roles, develop professionally, and have a positive experience of working at Thrive Scholars.  
  • Be responsible for hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and talent development of six direct reports, and support these leaders in doing the same for those who report to them
  • Promote ongoing learning and development across the development team by identifying team areas for growth and collaborating with the Managing Director of Talent and Operations to develop appropriate learning and development strategies
  • Foster a positive team culture and facilitate staff engagement by effectively connecting tasks to mission impact, and promoting a team practice of dialogue, feedback, accountability, and celebrating success. 

Collaboration:  Work with volunteer and staff leadership to enhance their fundraising skills and to support their revenue generating efforts.
  • Partner with the Chief Executive Officer to deploy his time and attention to leverage the greatest revenue generating opportunities. Coordinate fundraising efforts of other senior staff and volunteer leaders.
  • Work effectively with the National Board of Directors, National Board of Trustees, Local Boards of Directors and other key volunteers, leveraging their talents, resources and ideas to enhance fundraising activities; enhance the members of the National Board of Directors ability to identify fundraising opportunities and encourage their ongoing participation as donors and solicitors.
  • Build strong relationships with Thrive Scholars program leadership and staff; understand Thrive Scholars programs; work collaboratively with program leadership to integrate innovative development strategies throughout the program; ensure development engagement of Scholars is informed by program best-practices.
  • Foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization. Assure that the organization’s culture, systems and procedures support fund development and vice versa.
 
Organizational Leadership:  Serve as a member of Thrive Scholars senior management team to advance the organization’s goals.
  • First and foremost, maintain focus on achievement of the organization-wide goals, and build and implement the comprehensive fundraising program to support achievement of the goals set forth in Thrive Scholars’ annual and long-term strategic plan/s.
  • Provide counsel and guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and members of the senior staff team in order to incorporate the development perspective.
  • Embrace a culture focused on strong vertical and horizontal communication lines throughout the organization.

Qualifications and Experience:
There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. The qualifications and experiences listed below are intended as a guide; we do not expect candidates to check every box.  If you believe you can meet the expectations and responsibilities of this position, we want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. 
  • High energy and passion for Thrive Scholars mission is essential
  • 10-plus years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization; minimum 5 years of experience leading a development department for a larger, multi-site nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in leading and growing a development function and attracting 6- and 7-figure gifts
  • Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets
  • Demonstrable track record of personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing individual donors, corporations and foundations
  • A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as: major gifts, annual funds, corporate and foundation giving, and planned giving
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and quickly gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including the Board of Directors and staff members, donors, foundation and service recipients
  • Knowledge of and relationship with national and regional funders, foundations and corporations
  • A solid understanding of nonprofit/for-profit fiscal management, principles and best practices
  • Experience implementing and managing a database system, preferably Salesforce
  • Creative, resilient and strategic in approach
  • A track record as an effective communicator; highly developed skills in writing and speaking; competence at crafting messaging for donor audiences; the ability to communicate the program’s mission and interests to a broad audience
  • Ability to give and receive feedback as a tool for growth
  • The ability to lead effectively, flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
  • Works independently and as a team player, takes initiative, and manages multiple tasks and projects at a time
  • Outstanding customer service skills
  • Works well under pressure to meet deadlines

Competencies
Along with the specific qualifications and experiences noted above, senior leaders at Thrive Scholars are expected to demonstrate the following leadership competencies:
  • Setting Strategy: Creates clear, effective strategies that inform the team’s work and build towards the larger vision. 
  • Leading through Change: Effectively engages and mobilizes stakeholders through change by mitigating stress, demonstrating compassion, and illustrating and planning for a desirable future. 
  • Leadership Presence: Demonstrates confidence, authenticity and poise to both internal and external audiences.
  • Building: Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful, shaping theory and/or practice in the field.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 
 
Thrive Scholars offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including high-quality health and dental insurance, four weeks of paid vacation, generous professional development funding, and access to an employer-matched retirement plan. This is a full-time exempt position.
 
Compensation range (base plus bonus):  $250K - $325K
 
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
Thrive has a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees, including remote staff. Individuals selected for job opportunities must be fully vaccinated and up to date, per CDC guidelines, and will be required to provide proof of vaccination status in advance of your hire date.
 
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs, Thrive will consider requests for reasonable accommodations consistent with our policy.  Accommodation requests cannot be guaranteed, Thrive will consider requests where we are able to provide such accommodations without undue hardship to the organization pursuant to applicable law. Any such accommodation must be approved in advance of signing an offer letter.
 
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Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.
 
Knowing its importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. We appreciate your time and will review and respond to all applications received.
 
For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org