Chief Development Officer

The Organization

Youth INC envisions a world where every young person has the opportunity to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. Our mission is to strengthen the organizations that help young people thrive.

We are a capacity-building intermediary that partners with more than 85 youth development nonprofits collectively reaching over 300,000 young people in New York City each year. Through coaching, connections, and capital, Youth INC provides nonprofit leaders with a flexible portfolio of programs that strengthen the essential drivers of organizational health and unlock greater impact for young people. Since 1994, Youth INC has mobilized more than $120 million for over 220 nonprofit partners, enabling them to expand their reach and transform the lives of 1.5 million young people across New York City. By investing in organizations and their leaders, we amplify impact at scale, ensuring that every dollar raised and every hour of support delivers a lasting multiplier effect for the city’s youth.

We are a dynamic team of professionals committed to co-creating a culture of inclusion and belonging where all voices are valued. Working at Youth INC requires a deep commitment to equity, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to lead and navigate organizational change with confidence.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will serve as a key architect of Youth INC’s future financial sustainability and growth. Historically, Youth INC’s fundraising model has been fueled by a dedicated Board and signature events. The next CDO will guide the organization through a critical evolution, shifting from an almost exclusive reliance on events and Board-driven contributions toward a diversified revenue portfolio with greater emphasis on major and principal gifts, foundation partnerships, and corporate philanthropy.

This role is ideally suited for a strategic and entrepreneurial development leader who thrives in high-level donor engagement, particularly with high-net-worth individuals and family offices, including Wall Street executives. The successful candidate will be a creative problem solver, an adept motivator and manager, and an intellectually curious leader who inspires confidence and trust. CDO will embody a growth mindset, embrace adaptability, and serve as both a visionary strategist and a hands-on fundraiser to foster stronger donor engagement, extend our reach, and allow us to achieve a greater impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Design and implement a forward-looking fundraising strategy that continues Youth INC’s successful events and Board giving, and cultivates additional sustainable revenue streams through major gifts, corporate partnerships, and foundations as well as earned revenue.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward six- and seven-figure gifts, with particular focus on high-net-worth individuals and finance sector executives directed in support of our work and impact.
• Apply creative, data-informed approaches to donor engagement and market expansion, positioning Youth INC as a leader in capacity-building philanthropy.
• Serve as a visible and compelling ambassador for Youth INC, articulating its mission and impact with clarity and conviction.

Relationship Management & Donor Engagement

• Build and sustain authentic, long-term relationships with major donors, corporate leaders, and philanthropic partners.
• Collaborate with the Board to best leverage their fundraising capacity while strategically reducing organizational dependence on Board giving.
• Align donor engagement strategies with Youth INC’s mission and values, fostering approaches that honor nonprofit partners and center the impact on young people.

Organizational Planning & Operational Excellence

• Build the internal infrastructure needed for a high-performing development function, including clear roles, workflows, and goal-setting frameworks.
• Introduce and refine systems and processes that enable a more proactive approach to donor engagement and moves management.
• Lead workforce planning and hiring of future team additions, particularly in individual giving and corporate partnerships.
• Ensure strategic use of Salesforce to support data-driven decision-making and donor relationship management.

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing development team of four+ individuals, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Cultivate a culture of professional growth, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Promote inclusive leadership and effective cross-functional collaboration across the organization.

Executive Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as an integral member of the senior leadership team, shaping organizational strategy and advancing equity-centered practices.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director and senior leaders to ensure alignment of fundraising goals with strategic priorities outlined in our current strategic plan.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Board and Development Committee, strengthening governance and engagement.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring both professional expertise and personal attributes that position them for success in this pivotal role. They will be:

• Authentic: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate trust and inspire investment from high-net-worth individuals, family offices, foundations, and corporate leaders.
• Creative & Innovative: Resourceful and forward-thinking, able to navigate complexity and identify new pathways for impact and growth.
• Inspirational: Skilled at leading high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and motivating others to achieve ambitious goals.
• Compassionate Leader: Demonstrates empathy, emotional intelligence, and builds inclusive, supportive environments where people feel valued and can thrive.
• Inquisitive: A lifelong learner who brings fresh insights and embraces new approaches to fundraising and philanthropy.
• Agile: Skilled at navigating ambiguity, pivoting strategies, and leading with resilience through change.
• Growth-Oriented: Approaches challenges with optimism and persistence, inspiring others to push beyond boundaries and challenge the status quo.
• Accomplished: A proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, particularly from finance industry leaders, alongside success in corporate and foundation partnerships.

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

• $220,000 – 250,000 annual salary.
• Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, generous PTO, and a 401K contribution.
• This is a NYC-based role; the Chief Development Officer must reside in the New York City Metropolitan Area and have flexibility to regularly meet with donors, Board members and other partners throughout the region.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Youth INC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latine, and other communities of color, as well as LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups.