Chief Development Officer

THE ARC GREATER TWIN CITIES•Waite Park, MN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arc Minnesota promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting them and families in achieving full inclusion and participation in their communities across the state. Position Summary The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides executive leadership for all fundraising and development activities at The Arc Minnesota. This role holds primary authority over development strategy, priorities, systems, and execution and is responsible for building and sustaining philanthropic support that advances the organization’s mission and long-term impact. The CDO serves as a player–coach, combining enterprise-level fundraising strategy with hands-on major gifts leadership. The role partners closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and volunteers while leading a high-performing development function.

Requirements

Must reside in Minnesota or in a bordering county of a neighboring state.
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, preferably within a mid- to large-sized organization.
Demonstrated success securing major gifts and leading successful fundraising campaigns.
Demonstrated ability to lead and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, evidenced by achieving or exceeding fundraising goals in prior roles.
Proven success in building and sustaining high-value relationships with donors, Board members, volunteers, and senior leaders that result in philanthropic support or long-term engagement.
Demonstrated experience overseeing development systems and data, including donor databases, prospect research, and performance tracking to inform strategy and decision-making.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate fundraising strategy and engage diverse audiences.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and hold others accountable, while managing multiple priorities and delivering results in a complex environment.
Demonstrated ability to apply an equity and inclusion lens to fundraising strategy and donor engagement, reflected in prior practices or leadership experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within a volunteer-driven, community-based organization.
Experience planning and overseeing donor-facing events and special fundraising initiatives.
Experience overseeing or collaborating on communications and marketing strategies in support of fundraising and organizational visibility.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership for all development functions, with primary authority over strategy, priorities, systems, and execution across the organization.
Develop and lead an integrated, multi-year fundraising strategy to secure philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government partners statewide, achieving—and positioning the organization to exceed—annual philanthropic goals.
Serve on The Arc Minnesota’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning and organizational decision-making.
Set and lead the organization’s major gifts strategy, while personally managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, including conducting donor discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure gifts from major to transformational levels.
Promote and secure a range of gift vehicles, including multi-year pledges, planned gifts, and complex gift arrangements aligned with organizational goals.
Advance equitable and inclusive fundraising practices that reflect The Arc Minnesota’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered impact.
Oversee prospect management, moves management, and development systems to ensure alignment, accountability, and effective pipeline development.
Provide strategic leadership and performance oversight for the development function through the Director of Development, with active collaboration across the development team.
Establish and monitor fundraising goals, metrics, and performance standards across all development programs.
Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors, and key volunteers to advance fundraising success, engaging Board members as advisors, ambassadors, and connectors in support of the organization’s development strategy.
Oversee organization-wide fundraising campaigns and signature events, such as the annual fundraising campaign, annual gala, and corporate sponsorship strategy.