Chief Development Officer
Apply NowCompany: Forest Home
Location: Forest Falls, CA 92339
Description:
Purpose
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with Forest Home's mission and core values. The role requires visionary leadership to achieve the goal of raising > $150 million over the next eight years to fund strategic initiatives, including a new 1,000-person youth camp, a new biblical world-view gap-year program and facility, expansion of scholarship program, and long-term sustainability projects. The CDO must align with Forest Home's view on the authority and accuracy of scripture, statement of faith, and demonstrate a passion for advancing its mission for people to Encounter Jesus, Experience Transformation, and engage the World for Christ.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership
- Develop and execute a strategic, multi-year fundraising plan to meet funding goals.
- Lead all major fundraising including annual fund, planned giving, capital campaigns, ensuring alignment with Forest Home's vision and master plan.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with high-capacity donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors, ensuring meaningful, long-term engagement.
Donor Development and Stewardship
- Oversee the development and implementation of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship programs to expand Forest Home's donor base.
- Strengthen relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new donor prospects, particularly those who share Forest Home's theological convictions and commitment to biblical principles.
- Serve as a spokesperson along with the President for major gift initiatives, representing Forest Home at events, meetings, and donor gatherings.
Team Development and Collaboration
- Build, train, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team, providing clear goals, accountability, and professional growth opportunities.
- Partner with the President/CEO and Board of Directors to maximize their role in fundraising efforts.
- Foster collaboration with program, marketing, and finance teams to align fundraising activities with organizational goals and ensure transparency.
Compliance and Reporting
- Ensure adherence to all fundraising ethics, legal standards, and best practices, including 503C compliance.
- Develop and present comprehensive reports to the President outlining progress toward financial goals and campaign milestones.
- Maintain accurate donor records and oversee the use of a robust donor management system.
Qualifications
- Faith Alignment: A signed statement of faith and alignment with Forest Home's biblical doctrine, as outlined in organizational documents.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, communications, business). Master's degree or CFRE certification preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 10 years in senior-level development roles, with a proven track record in capital campaigns and major gift fundraising.
- Demonstrated success in securing seven and eight-figure gifts.
- Experience in Christian non-profit or ministry settings preferred.
Skills:
- Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Expertise in designing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen to develop and manage budgets and forecasts.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team in a results-driven environment.
Personal Characteristics:
- Servant-hearted leader with a Christ-like attitude.
- High integrity, self-motivation, and commitment to excellence.
- Willingness to travel extensively and work flexible hours, including weekends as necessary.
Expectations
- Actively participate in Forest Home's spiritual life activities, including weekly all-staff meetings and prayer meetings.
- Represent Forest Home with the highest standards of Christian integrity and professionalism in all interactions.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all fundraising efforts reflect Forest Home's mission and values.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate office machines. Requires mild physical work; some lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects over 30 pounds. Requires visual acuity to read words and numbers and speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the phone.
FOREST HOME EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT:Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. All terms and conditions of employment, duties, and responsibilities are subject to the Forest Home Employee Handbook.
FOREST HOME CORE VALUES
Surrender to Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
Love (I Corinthians 13)
Serve (Philippians 2:3-11)
Walk in Integrity (Titus 2:11-12, Proverbs 4:23-27)
Strive for Excellence (Colossians 3:23-24)
Engage in Community (I Thessalonians 5:11-13)
Innovate (Ephesians 3:20-21)
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with Forest Home's mission and core values. The role requires visionary leadership to achieve the goal of raising > $150 million over the next eight years to fund strategic initiatives, including a new 1,000-person youth camp, a new biblical world-view gap-year program and facility, expansion of scholarship program, and long-term sustainability projects. The CDO must align with Forest Home's view on the authority and accuracy of scripture, statement of faith, and demonstrate a passion for advancing its mission for people to Encounter Jesus, Experience Transformation, and engage the World for Christ.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership
- Develop and execute a strategic, multi-year fundraising plan to meet funding goals.
- Lead all major fundraising including annual fund, planned giving, capital campaigns, ensuring alignment with Forest Home's vision and master plan.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with high-capacity donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors, ensuring meaningful, long-term engagement.
Donor Development and Stewardship
- Oversee the development and implementation of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship programs to expand Forest Home's donor base.
- Strengthen relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new donor prospects, particularly those who share Forest Home's theological convictions and commitment to biblical principles.
- Serve as a spokesperson along with the President for major gift initiatives, representing Forest Home at events, meetings, and donor gatherings.
Team Development and Collaboration
- Build, train, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team, providing clear goals, accountability, and professional growth opportunities.
- Partner with the President/CEO and Board of Directors to maximize their role in fundraising efforts.
- Foster collaboration with program, marketing, and finance teams to align fundraising activities with organizational goals and ensure transparency.
Compliance and Reporting
- Ensure adherence to all fundraising ethics, legal standards, and best practices, including 503C compliance.
- Develop and present comprehensive reports to the President outlining progress toward financial goals and campaign milestones.
- Maintain accurate donor records and oversee the use of a robust donor management system.
Qualifications
- Faith Alignment: A signed statement of faith and alignment with Forest Home's biblical doctrine, as outlined in organizational documents.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, communications, business). Master's degree or CFRE certification preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 10 years in senior-level development roles, with a proven track record in capital campaigns and major gift fundraising.
- Demonstrated success in securing seven and eight-figure gifts.
- Experience in Christian non-profit or ministry settings preferred.
Skills:
- Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Expertise in designing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen to develop and manage budgets and forecasts.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team in a results-driven environment.
Personal Characteristics:
- Servant-hearted leader with a Christ-like attitude.
- High integrity, self-motivation, and commitment to excellence.
- Willingness to travel extensively and work flexible hours, including weekends as necessary.
Expectations
- Actively participate in Forest Home's spiritual life activities, including weekly all-staff meetings and prayer meetings.
- Represent Forest Home with the highest standards of Christian integrity and professionalism in all interactions.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all fundraising efforts reflect Forest Home's mission and values.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leads Development Team
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate office machines. Requires mild physical work; some lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects over 30 pounds. Requires visual acuity to read words and numbers and speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the phone.
FOREST HOME EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT:Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. All terms and conditions of employment, duties, and responsibilities are subject to the Forest Home Employee Handbook.
FOREST HOME CORE VALUES
Surrender to Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
- Abide with the Lord daily through study of His Word and prayer
- Surrender to the Lord daily through obedience to His Word
- Worship the Lord with the Forest Home Community
- Commit to grow in your faith through regular attendance at a local church
- Prioritize God, Family, and Work appropriately
- Be prepared to share your testimony with staff or guests
- Walk in Biblical purity (1 Timothy 4:12) by rejecting one's sinful nature
Love (I Corinthians 13)
- Display the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22)
- Be respectful to others
- Demonstrate compassion
Serve (Philippians 2:3-11)
- Give generously to God and others through time, talent and treasure
- Seek to put others' needs above your own
- Demonstrate humility in both spirit and deed
- Actively look for ways to serve
Walk in Integrity (Titus 2:11-12, Proverbs 4:23-27)
- Show loyalty to others, even when they are not present
- Do the right thing, even when others are not present
- Extend trust and seek to believe the best in others
- Ask for forgiveness quickly when necessary
- Be truthful and transparent with others
Strive for Excellence (Colossians 3:23-24)
- Demonstrate accountability with time and resources
- Request and receive training
- Desire to improve, and challenge others to do the same
- Commit to exceeding guest expectations
- Refuse mediocrity
Engage in Community (I Thessalonians 5:11-13)
- Seek first to understand before being understood
- Communicate clearly, empathetically and respectfully
- Work through conflict Biblically (Matthew 18-15-17)
- Participate in intentional and purposeful community activities
- Partner with teammates for the goal of unity and team effectiveness
- Play and appreciate "campy" fun
- Faithfully pray for one another
Innovate (Ephesians 3:20-21)
- Dream Big
- Proactively seek solutions
- Think outside the box
- Dream, plan and execute new ideas
- Acknowledge and trust that all things are possible through Jesus Christ our Lord (Matthew 19:26)