Chief Development Officer

About Us 

American Forests is a national nonprofit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the U.S., working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.  

American Forests is proud to be building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace where every team member can thrive; these are our shared values. We actively seek and welcome individuals from varied backgrounds and experiences, recognizing that our individual and collective impact grows stronger through different perspectives and approaches to conservation. Our commitment extends beyond recruitment to creating an environment where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to advance both personally and professionally while driving our mission forward.  

Position Summary 

American Forests is seeking an action-oriented, mission-driven Chief Development Officer (CDO) to build and lead a comprehensive and integrated development strategy that supports the organization’s mission, growth, and long-term financial sustainability. Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO will drive revenue growth for the organization by utilizing philanthropic best practices and leveraging network connections within the U.S. conservation space. 

The CDO will lead a high-performing team and oversee all aspects of revenue growth, including major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, and public grants. The CDO will be a dynamic frontline business development officer, identifying and managing a portfolio of top individual donors, corporate donors, and institutional funders. The CDO will identify, connect with, and develop key donor opportunities, collaborating closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Program Leadership. 

The CDO will work to ensure that growing revenue is a key function of the organization by fostering a strong mission-forward fundraising culture, aligning revenue growth strategies with mission delivery and strategic goals, while promoting fruitful collaboration among all staff, departments, and the Board to support these efforts. 

With an annual budget exceeding $25 million and ambitious goals for the future, American Forests is poised for transformative growth. The organization works at the intersection of ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, urban forestry, and environmental justice. We catalyze large-scale forest restoration and recovery efforts—including those that respond to natural disasters such as wildfires and severe storms—and leverage science, policy, and partnerships to advance Tree Equity and climate adaptation in both urban and rural landscapes. 

Candidates should demonstrate familiarity with these areas, or with similarly complex fields where mission alignment and systems-level environmental thinking are central. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, a compelling communicator, and a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and social equity. 

Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership

• Must be able to develop and implement a multi-year development strategy to support organizational growth, mission delivery, program expansion, and long-term sustainability that targets revenue growth (mainly non-restricted).
• As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, serve as a thought partner to the CEO and leadership team, contributing to overall strategic planning and organizational decision-making.
• Broaden and diversify funding sources through innovative partnerships, alternative giving vehicles, public and private grants, and investments from philanthropic and private sectors.
• Provide regular updates and insights to the CEO, executive team, and the Board of Directors on development performance and opportunities.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor a collaborative, “solution-oriented” development team that thinks strategically and executes with urgency, working side by side with other functional and program teams to generate robust and sustainable revenue opportunities.

Individual Giving & Philanthropy

• Cultivate, secure, and steward a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects, personally soliciting major and transformational (7- and 8-figure) gifts, including complex and blended investments.
• Develop a robust planned giving program to ensure long-term sustainability through legacy giving vehicles, including bequests, charitable trusts, and beneficiary designations.
• Implement and drive a development growth plan that strategically yields year-over-year revenue growth primarily in unrestricted giving.

Corporate and Institutional Partnerships

• In partnership with marketing and programs, design and manage a corporate partnership program that aligns with the organization’s strategic goals.
• Build new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships with institutional funders, including national and local foundations and corporate philanthropic divisions.
• Lead proposal development and customized partnership opportunities for institutional supporters.
• Drive significant growth in foundation and institutional funding, positioning American Forests as a premier partner for major national and global funders.

Public Grants and Government Funding

• In partnership with Policy and Partnerships and Programs, oversee the identification, pursuit, and management of local, state, and federal grants.
• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, including reporting, budgeting, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with program, finance, and operations teams to support successful grant implementation and impact reporting

Development Operations

• Lead, inspire, and manage a high-performing, collaborative development team, including major gifts, planned giving, institutional and corporate partnerships, donor relations, events, and grants.
• Strengthen systems for prospect research and portfolio and data management.
• Develop and implement policies and best practices for gift administration and donor stewardship.
• Leverage data analytics and donor intelligence to inform strategy, forecast revenue, and personalize donor engagement across all segments.
• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, revenue tracking, and forecasting.
• Lead the process of bringing American Forests to a point of capital campaign readiness.

Collaboration & Culture Building

• Foster a mission-forward fundraising culture that drives revenue growth across the organization, building trust and shared accountability.
• Engage and empower staff, leadership, and the Board in all areas of development.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to deliver compelling engagement strategies and integrated campaigns.
• Work closely with program staff to align development with programmatic priorities and initiatives.

Team Leadership

• Model inclusive leadership and foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and mutual accountability across a geographically distributed team.
• Mentor and support staff, prioritizing retention and professional growth to create pathways for advancement.

Qualifications 
While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities:  

Leadership & Management Experience

• At least ten years of experience in a leadership and/or supervisory role, including successful management of remote teams and driving programs on a national scale.
• Proven utilization of data and analysis combined with best development practices.
• Capable of assessing the current state of the organization’s revenue generation and approach, and can develop and implement an action-oriented plan to drive the organization to the next level of philanthropic giving.
• Demonstrated success engaging members of the Board and organizational leadership in fundraising.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams and collaborating at the executive and tactical levels.

Fundraising Expertise

• At least 15 years of experience in nonprofit development.
• Proven success in securing significant (7- and 8-figure) individual gifts, managing corporate/institutional partnerships, and securing government grants.
• Demonstrated ability in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across multiple revenue streams.
• Experience leading innovative cultivation strategies across individual, corporate, and foundation giving.
• Experience planning integrated fundraising campaigns, ensuring donor-centric best practices.
• Ability to close and manage complex gifts, including planned giving, donor-advised funds, stock donations, and other alternative vehicles, as well as in-kind gifts.
• Proficient in negotiating charitable support agreements.

Communication & Relationship Building

• Skilled relationship builder across diverse external and internal stakeholders.
• Expert communicator with the ability to translate technical program details into compelling cases for support.
• Exercises diplomacy and fosters a spirit of collaboration and cross-team partnership.

Professionalism & Integrity

• Maintains integrity and ethical compliance as defined by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• Exercises discretion in handling donor relationships and information.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and professionalism.

Work Style & Attributes

• Growth-minded individual with a “solution-oriented” attitude.
• Highly organized and diligent with documentation.
• Strategic, results-driven, and adaptable in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Positive, proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Passion and commitment to American Forests’ mission and vision, with the ability to integrate American Forests’ core values into their leadership and daily work.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficient in common software, including Microsoft 365, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, and wealth screening tools.

Working Conditions 

Ideally, this position is located in the Washington, DC area where the American Forests’ office is located, or in major donor areas of the U.S. Northeast or the Northwest. However, this position can be remote provided they have easy access to national travel. The CDO must be based near a major airport and be able to travel nationally with flexibility. 

This position requires moderate to significant travel (30–40%) for donor meetings and events, board meetings, staff retreats, and external events. Typical development work may include many hours per week in a non-traditional work week schedule (evenings and weekends) based on donor availability.  

The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.  

Supervisory Requirements 

This position supervises a team of employees, including Director of Corporate Giving, Director of Institutional Giving, Director of Philanthropy, Director of Philanthropy Operations, and Senior Manager of Philanthropy.