Chief Advancement Officer

Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area seeks an accomplished, strategic, and results-driven Chief Advancement Officer to build and lead the fundraising and communications strategy that will make its next growth phase possible. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CAO will serve as the organization’s senior fundraising and communications leader, primary major and principal gifts strategist, and trusted thought partner to the Executive Director and Development Committee.

What You Will Do

The CAO will develop and execute the strategy to raise $24 million over the next five years, helping Friends-SF double the number of children served through its impactful program model. This includes designing and implementing a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising and communications plan, establishing fundraising and communications goals, revenue projections, and performance benchmarks, and integrating major gifts, annual giving, foundation support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, events, and government funding into a diversified revenue strategy.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The successful candidate will bring initiative, executive presence, and the confidence to connect with high-net-worth donors, together with the warmth, humility, and cultural awareness to earn trust across the organization and community. This is a hybrid position based in San Francisco, California, with an expectation to work in the office at least three days per week and regularly attend donor meetings throughout the Bay Area.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including substantial senior fundraising leadership responsibility.
• A deep commitment to Friends-SF’s mission and two-generational approach, cultural humility, and the ability to build authentic relationships with people of diverse backgrounds.
• An independent, proactive self-starter with the ability to turn strategy into action, introduce original ideas, and maintain disciplined follow-through;
• Strong major and principal gifts expertise, including a record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing six- and seven-figure gifts and multi-year commitments.
• Experience expanding donor pipelines and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, founders/venture capitalists, family foundations, philanthropic advisors, and corporate leaders.
• Experience leading capital, expansion, or comprehensive campaigns.
• Familiarity with government funding and public revenue opportunities is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and inspire a professional development team, with a commitment to staff growth.
• Confidence and executive presence to partner with an engaged Board and seasoned business and philanthropic leaders;
• Strong analytical skills, including fundraising forecasting, budgeting, performance measurement, and effective use of donor databases and prospect management systems.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with experience in donor communications, storytelling, and building organizational visibility.
• A people-centered, servant leadership approach and a collaborative style grounded in humility and integrity.
• Ability to build trust, welcome feedback, navigate difficult conversations, and bring optimism and a sense of humor to the work.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising and maintaining donor and beneficiary confidentiality.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of employee and dependent premiums for base medical, dental, and vision plans for director-level staff
• Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, 17 holidays, and six mental health days
• 401(k) with an immediately vested employer match of up to 3%
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Up to $1,000 annually in tuition assistance
• Monthly commuting stipend