Chief Development Officer

Food For Free

Good Food. Healthy Communities.

Job Description

Chief Development Officer


About Food For Free
Food For Free is a Cambridge-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Greater Boston community with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food. We accomplish our mission through food rescue, partnerships with schools, colleges, and traditional food organizations, as well as our own direct service programs. In 2021, with a budget of ~$4 million, Food For Free distributed more than six million pounds of nutritious food and reached more than 40,000 people throughout Greater Boston.

Food For Free is a flexible, innovative organization. We have an open, informal culture and believe deeply in equity, inclusion, transparency, and integrity.  Collaboration is at the heart of all that we do and it comes from a deep respect for one another, our community and the people we serve. We believe work should be fun and when people are playing to their strengths, they are at their best.

The organization has seen sustained growth over 8 years leading up to the pandemic, tripling food distribution, establishing multiple new school-based programs, adding 3 additional vehicles to our fleet, and significantly increasing staff in all departments. Over the two years, operations have expanded almost three-fold, revenues have over doubled - current fiscal year projections at $3.6 million -, and we continue to add staff to support our mission.

About the Role
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a key member of the leadership team, reports directly to the CEO, and oversees a staff of 3 including a full-time Director of Marketing, a part-time Events Coordinator, and a full-time Development Coordinator. The CDO is charged with overseeing the development department, creating and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy, management of the department’s budget, enhancing fundraising for the organization, and mentoring, managing, and evaluating department staff. 

About you
You have a can-do attitude. You are motivated by challenge, excited by change, and have an inherent desire to continuously improve things.  We expect growth will continue and you will play a pivotal role in supporting that growth. You easily flex between operational activities and strategic thinking and enjoy working with a strong leadership team.
This is an exciting opportunity if you are a collaborative, experienced leader with a strong foundation in fundraising and interested in playing a critical role leading a dynamic, growing, community-focused organization.

Essential Functions:

Fundraising:
In collaboration with the CEO, co-architect a strong fundraising strategy to achieve current goals and drive future impact growth. Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet annual fundraising goals. The CDO is accountable for overseeing all fundraising activities for multiple income streams to meet the organizations’ annual budget.

Budget:
Work with the CEO to develop the organization's annual income budget. Provide the CFO with quarterly updates and forecasts for the year. Develop an annual expense budget for the Development department and manage team expenditures to that budget..

Prospect Pipeline:
The CDO coordinates all prospect activities, including identification, qualification, and assignment of prospects; cultivation; solicitation; closure; and stewardship.
 
Donor Cultivation:
Historically Food For Free has maintained an over 50% donor retention rate (currently lower due to unprecedented pandemic-related philanthropy). Continue proven established donor cultivation systems and processes and develop new methods to maintain and strengthen overall donor retention.

Events:
Establish overall event strategy, accounting for changing environments due to the pandemic. Oversee all aspects of existing and new events.  Organize house parties and virtual events to engage existing donors and identify and introduce new prospects.

Grants:
Maintain established relationships with grantors and build new ones. Responsible for all grant and report writing. Explore new opportunities for government funding.

People/Team Management:
Oversee, support, and mentor current development staff of 3. Provide regular feedback and annual performance reviews. Ensure team member’s voices are heard and represented at leadership meetings and continually work to ensure their experience at Food For Free is positive and feels inclusive. Work with the CEO to build the development team overtime as the organization requires.
 

Skills and Requirements:

  • A track record of achievement that combines many of the following: 
    • Overseeing development/fundraising efforts that have shown consistent growth of 5-10% year over year in the human services field
    • Measurably expanding an organization’s donor base, both in absolute terms and in depth of commitment/relationships
    • Consistently increasing annual revenues over multiple years
    • Building, mentoring, and supporting a high performing team
  • Leadership characteristics that include: 
    • Confidence and decisiveness balanced with an open, collaborative work ethic
    • Ability to inspire trust and camaraderie in employees and potential donors alike
    • Excellent interpersonal/relationship skills - a proactive communicator and comfortable working with people from diverse ethnic, educational, and professional backgrounds
    • Commitment to social justice, and food justice in particular
    • Personal honesty and integrity
  • Demonstrated strength/expertise in these areas: 
    • DonorPerfect or other Fundraising platform 
    • Writing and communication 
    • Public speaking 

Compensation and Benefits:
  • $80k to $130k 
  • 403(b) with employee match
  • Unlimited vacation
  • 75% health, dental, and vision coverage
  • $50k life insurance

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to sasha@foodforfree.org. Please include “Chief Development Officer” in the subject line and indicate how you learned of this opportunity.


Food For Free believes that hunger disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society — including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.