Job Description

The California Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, founded in 1987, is part of a national volunteer movement supporting the needs and well-being of children and youth in foster care. Today, CASA is one of the largest volunteer opportunities in the country, with more than 900 individual CASA programs nationwide in 49 states. The organization currently has a staff of 17 and a Board of Directors of 17 who represent all areas of the state and are committed to the cause of CASA. Our mission, vision, and values are clearly articulated: www.californiacasa.org, and in 2022-23, an organization-wide Strategic Planning process was undertaken and completed, mapping out the next 3 years. One key organizational goal of California CASA (CA CASA) is to expand fundraising and philanthropy statewide, and the new Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) will be an essential player in this effort. The organization is on the cusp of an exciting new era and seeks an exceptional individual to help bring it to fruition as the new CPO.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The California CASA (CA CASA) Association seeks a full-time dynamic and experienced Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) who shares our commitment to advancing equity and inclusion within our team and the communities we serve. The CPO will report directly to the CEO and oversee a talented team of 6 professionals specializing in philanthropy, grants, database management, and marketing & communications. The ideal candidate works independently and collaboratively and is a strategic thinker with a track record of successful fundraising for nonprofit organizations. They will bring a passion for service, a learning mindset, the ability to manage tight deadlines while multi-tasking, and a dedication to advancing inclusive and equitable opportunities within our work. In addition to fundraising for CA CASA’s operational needs, the CPO and the Philanthropy team will help support the statewide CASA network in terms of fundraising counsel.

The new CPO at CA CASA must have an open mind, entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to learn from others. They will operate as a servant-leader and be a person who is energetic, diplomatic, adaptable, humble, and with a good sense of humor. CA CASA is committed to creating an inclusive environment and values the unique perspectives that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to our team. We encourage qualified applicants of all experiences and backgrounds to apply.

CA CASA has made tremendous strides under the leadership of Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq., since she arrived as CEO in 2017. She is a seasoned and successful fundraiser in her own right, and is seeking a strategic, accomplished, and visionary partner in philanthropy at a pivotal moment in CA CASA’s history. In 2022, a three-year appropriation from the State of California was received, primarily to help stabilize the 44 local CASA programs in the network and set them up for success to provide more CASA volunteers to California’s foster children. The appropriation totaled $60,000,000 over 3 years, concluding in June 2026. Efforts are now under way to secure permanent State funding that will provide fiscal underpinning ($20,000,000 annually) to the network, and also fund CA CASA to administer the distribution. Apart from State funding, CA CASA’s expectation for the new CPO is to raise $3,000,000 to $3,500,000 annually for operations from private and public sources.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising for CA CASA

Lead strategy and implementation to ensure that CA CASA’s short- and long- term fundraising goals ($3,000,000 to $3,500,000) are achieved through multiple approaches with diverse donors.
Create an annual written fundraising plan that is clear in its objectives, goals, target audiences, timelines, and assignment of responsibilities.
Lead the Philanthropy team to meet or exceed fundraising goals. Hire, develop, supervise, coach, and evaluate team members and create a supportive, goal-oriented, productive work culture based on the organizational values of CA CASA. Set measurable performance goals for team members and evaluate performance against goals on a regular basis. Effectively coach team members and provide supportive feedback and performance evaluations. Ensure that team members develop the technical abilities, leadership, and skills they need to be successful and grow in their professions.
Maintain a portfolio of top individual, foundation, and corporate donors and prospects; develop and implement strategies for engagement and increased giving.
Supervise and lead an effective Institutional Grants strategy. Supervise grantwriting and grants administration; as needed, edit, and approve written grant materials, and occasionally contribute to major request proposals. Ensure that there is an active grants calendar, ongoing research into new grant prospects, and prompt and effective grants administration and reporting.
Using the CRM platform, DonorPerfect, ensure active and ongoing prospect and donor research to build our donor pipeline, and be accountable for growth in the prospect pool. Oversee gift processing, ensure accurate records are kept and that all donors receive appropriate, timely, well-written acknowledgements.
Advise the CEO on strategic, high-priority relationship-building and fundraising opportunities; ensure that the CEO’s time is scheduled effectively and productively.
Act as liaison to the Board of Directors’ Philanthropy Committee; ensure preparation of reports for CEO and for Board meetings as requested.
The CPO supervises and oversees marketing and communications activities at CA CASA. The two-person staff (Marketing & Communications Director and Graphic Design/Marketing Assistant) collaborate with all departments and their work ranges from promoting the cause of CASA statewide, to creating fundraising collateral and materials, to supporting the local CASA programs in terms of their marketing needs.
Oversee and direct creation of philanthropy materials as needed – e.g., case statements, direct mail solicitations, brochures, and website.
Conduct ongoing evaluation of fundraising activities to ensure quality, efficiency, and productivity.
Develop legacy/planned giving opportunities, strategy, and materials.
Work collaboratively with the CEO and leadership team to create the annual budget by providing accurate expense projections and the best revenue forecasts possible.
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Minimum of bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant subject (e.g., nonprofit management, philanthropy, communications). Graduate degree a plus.
Minimum 7 years’ experience in senior leadership positions focused on nonprofit development/philanthropy. CFRE desirable.
Demonstrated experience supervising fundraising staff, effectively leading people, and managing systems to achieve fundraising goals. Ability to cultivate a work culture that is high-performing, innovative, creative, inspiring, and fun.
Knowledge of and commitment to AFP fundraising ethics, rules, and protocols.
A plus: knowledge of, passion for, and experience with successful fundraising for the CASA community, as well as knowledge/understanding of the child welfare system and dependency and juvenile justice courts.
Demonstrated experience leading a marketing team to advance the organization’s brand awareness within the communities we serve.
The successful candidate for this position will be a visionary: an optimistic, innovative, entrepreneurial thinker with a track record for turning strategic thinking into concrete action plans and results.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required. Must have the ability to compose and deliver effective, persuasive, and compelling presentations to donors and prospects, either in print or in person—to engage, inspire, and educate in personal meetings, group settings, and in written form.
We seek a confident writer and public speaker; some experience in professional training and teaching, either in person or on virtual platforms is a plus.
Comfort in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals, and with making high-dollar asks. Experience with securing large foundation, corporate, and governmental grants.
Outstanding organizational skills including demonstrated experience with “Moves Management” strategy. The successful candidate will be able to set priorities, delegate actions to team members, and influence upward and laterally in order to ensure that key actions in the philanthropy plan are executed by all stakeholders including the CEO. Ability to evaluate results and adapt plans, as needed, to improve future performance.
Experience leading organizational and operational change and operational scaling.
Possessing strong financial skills, including budgets, fiscal analysis, and financial statements. Ability to comprehend and analyze financial and statistical data and donor databases. Understanding data security principles and best practices as they relate to fundraising.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. History of working effectively with all people irrespective of their history, economic status, challenges, race, gender, education, or sexual orientation; embraces the importance of diversity with demonstrated experience working in diverse organizations. Experience building a donor pipeline that includes diverse representation is a plus.
Proficient, advanced skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are desired; as well as some experience with DonorPerfect or other CRM/donor management software.
Knowledge of and experience with Planned/Legacy Giving is a plus.

POSITION DETAILS AND BENEFITS

Competitive compensation package with salary range of $150,000 – $200,000 depending on experience.
CA CASA staff work 100% remotely with no permanent physical office (office equipment provided). Staff are presently located in San Diego County, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Sacramento area. CEO and CFOO located in San Diego County. We are seeking a CPO candidate who resides in California or plans to do so.
The CPO will be expected to attend meetings with staff and donors and attend various events. There will be occasional out-of-town overnight travel.
Pass background checks in compliance with California Rule of Court 5.655.
A valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required. Have satisfactory driving record, regular access to a vehicle for meetings and activities.
Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, 403(b) Retirement Plan, 403(b) Employer Match, Flexible Spending Account (Health and Dependent Care), Vacation, Personal Days and Paid Sick Time. (Eligible to participate in CA CASA’s employee benefit programs the first of the month after 30 days following the date of hire.)
The CPO will spend some time in intermittent physical activities including bending, reaching, sitting, and walking during working hours. Additionally, it is anticipated that the person may spend many hours each day seated at their home office computer. Reasonable accommodation is offered to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter explaining how you believe your skills, background, and work experience meet the position’s qualifications. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

CA CASA is an inclusive, welcoming, and affirming organization that values, celebrates, and actively seeks out diverse candidates. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), sex and gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity and gender expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify), age (40 or over), sexual orientation, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. CA CASA prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

California CASA Association

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Chief Philanthropy Officer