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About the Role

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior philanthropy executive responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy to accelerate philanthropic revenue, diversify private funding, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. The CAO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board of Directors, aligning philanthropy with the organization's mission and vision.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for all advancement functions, including major gifts, annual and planned giving, foundation and corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, capital and special campaigns, fundraising events, and community engagement.
• Build and lead a high-performing Advancement team, cultivating transformational relationships with donors and strategic partners.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the organization throughout Staten Island and the greater New York philanthropic community.
• Lead and develop the Advancement Department, providing direct supervision to the Director of Development and Senior Development Associate.
• Oversee the work of advancement consultants and external partners, including government relations, fund development, and grant writing.
• Ensure the department's people, systems, and external resources are aligned to achieve strategic fundraising and philanthropic objectives.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors' Development Committee, working closely with the Committee Chair to advance fundraising priorities and strengthen Board engagement.
• Champion innovation, collaboration, and accountability to position the organization for sustained philanthropic growth and lasting community impact.
• Develop, execute, and continuously refine a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with the organization's strategic plan and long-term financial goals.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Advancement team and oversee external consultants and strategic partners.
• Lead all philanthropic revenue strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, campaigns, and donor stewardship.
• Expand unrestricted revenue and diversify philanthropic funding sources.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors, foundations, corporations, and strategic partners.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, evaluate organizational performance, and use data to drive continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to advance fundraising priorities and organizational growth.
• Prepare and present fundraising strategies, reports, and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board.
• Represent the organization with donors, foundations, corporations, elected officials, faith communities, and community leaders.
• Strengthen the organization's visibility, reputation, and philanthropic presence throughout Staten Island and the greater New York region.
• Provide executive oversight of advancement communications, marketing, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Ensure best-in-class advancement operations, including CRM management, fundraising analytics, prospect development, stewardship, reporting, and performance measurement.
• Build and continuously strengthen the systems, processes, technology, and infrastructure necessary to support sustainable fundraising growth and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership in nonprofit fundraising or advancement.
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts.
• Proven track record of increasing philanthropic revenue and diversifying funding sources.
• Experience leading comprehensive advancement programs and high-performing teams.
• Experience partnering effectively with CEOs, Boards of Directors, and executive leadership.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and strategic leadership skills.
• Must be U.S Citizen.

Skills

• Fundraising
• Advancement strategy
• Philanthropy
• Major gifts
• Annual giving
• Planned giving
• Foundation relations
• Corporate partnerships
• Donor stewardship
• Capital campaigns
• Fundraising events
• Community engagement
• Team leadership
• Relationship building
• Strategic planning
• Financial sustainability
• CRM management
• Fundraising analytics
• Prospect development
• Government funding
• Public-private partnerships

Location

• Staten Island NY

Work Type

• Full Time Direct Hire

Experience Level

• 10+ years of leadership in nonprofit fundraising or advancement

Education Level

• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree preferred

Salary/Compensations

• $120,000-$125,000
• Eligible to participate in a performance-based incentive plan

Benefits

• Performance-based incentive plan tied to strategic advancement objectives, organizational growth, and long-term philanthropic sustainability.

About the Company

• Merito Group is a fast-growing, woman-owned Small Business and HUBZone company with an outstanding record of performance providing acquisition, business process, training, IT, administrative, and security services to multiple federal agencies.
• Our client is Staten Island's leading human services organization, dedicated to ending hunger and homelessness and strengthening communities through compassionate, comprehensive services.
• The Chief Advancement Officer will have a unique opportunity to shape the organization's philanthropic future, build a best-in-class advancement program, and partner with an engaged CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team to expand impact for thousands of individuals and families across the region.

Equal Opportunity

• Merito Group is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, on-the-job injury, sexual orientation, political affiliation or belief. Employment decisions are made without consideration of these or any other factors that employers are prohibited by law from considering. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. SFS also prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.
• Summit Federal Services, LLC is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, on-the-job injury, sexual orientation, political affiliation or belief. Employment decisions are made without consideration of these or any other factors that employers are prohibited by law from considering. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. Summit Federal Services, LLC also prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.