Chief Development Officer

About Second Helpings

At Second Helpings, we envision a community where everyone has enough nourishing food and ample opportunities to thrive. Our mission is to address hunger today and build self-sufficiency to prevent hunger tomorrow.

Founded in 1998 by three chefs, Second Helpings remains true to its core mission while the ability to serve our community has continued to grow. To date we have rescued nearly 55 million pounds of food and distributed nearly 21 million meals through our 200 + area partners.

The Second Helpings building is a vibrant and active one, fostering a collaborative work environment. The organization relies on a steady and dedicated volunteer corps that is in the building during most open hours, and it sees present and former culinary job training students coming and going regularly. Food and food culture are ever-present.

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a member of Second Helpings’ executive leadership team and leads the organization’s fund development, marketing, communications, and events functions.

The CDO develops and executes an integrated advancement strategy that grows revenue, strengthens donor and community relationships, elevates the Second Helpings brand, and supports long-term sustainability.

As the leader of the development team, the CDO is responsible for strategy, people, and execution. The CDO sets direction, builds team capacity, establishes accountability, and ensures advancement goals translate into measurable results. The CDO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board and a visible ambassador for Second Helpings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and strategic partner to the CEO.
• Develops annual and long-term strategies and goals for fundraising, marketing, communications, events, and community engagement.
• Translates organizational priorities into clear departmental goals, action plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Uses data, donor trends, and philanthropic knowledge to evaluate performance, forecast revenue, and identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborates across programs and operations to align advancement efforts with organizational priorities.
• Represents Second Helpings with donors, partners, volunteers, community leaders, and the broader community.

Fund Development

• Leads a diversified revenue strategy encompassing major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, corporate partnerships, planned giving, digital fundraising, events, and emerging opportunities.
• Builds and manages a strong donor pipeline and leads the cultivation, solicitation, retention, and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Personally manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and participates in major gift solicitations.
• Partners with the CEO and Board to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising and relationship development.
• Oversees grant strategy, proposals, reporting, and identification of new funding opportunities.
• Ensures a consistent and meaningful donor experience through strong stewardship, communications, recognition, and impact reporting.
• Establishes and monitors revenue goals, fundraising performance, and forecasts.

Team Leadership

• Leads, develops, and retains an advancement team spanning development, marketing, communications, and events.
• Establishes clear roles, priorities, goals, performance expectations, and measures of success.
• Builds a culture of accountability, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.
• Coaches and develops direct reports through regular feedback, goal-setting, one-on-ones, and professional development.
• Delegates effectively while maintaining accountability for department-wide results.
• Recruits talented staff and ensures appropriate succession planning and cross-training.
• Manages departmental budgets and resources in alignment with organizational priorities.

Marketing, Communications & Events

• Provides strategic direction for marketing and communications to strengthen Second Helpings’ visibility, reputation, and fundraising efforts.
• Ensures clear, compelling, and consistent messaging across digital, print, social media, email, media relations, and other channels.
• Uses storytelling and impact communications to deepen donor and community engagement.
• Provides strategic leadership for fundraising and community events, ensuring clear goals, strong financial performance, and meaningful engagement.
• Partners with staff, Board members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to maximize the impact of events and communications.

Board & Community Engagement

• Partners with the CEO, Board Chair, and Development Committee to strengthen Board participation in fundraising and community engagement.
• Provides Board members with the information, tools, and support needed to cultivate and steward relationships.
• Builds relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, community leaders, volunteers, and strategic partners.
• Identifies opportunities to expand Second Helpings’ visibility, influence, and community impact.