Chief Development Officer and Grants Strategy Lead
Position Overview
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising, grants, and philanthropic strategy that fuels the organization’s growth and long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the CEO/Executive Director, this executive will serve as a strategic partner responsible for building strong revenue pipelines across individual giving, foundations, corporate partners, and government grants. This hybrid leadership role is ideal for an innovative, data-informed development professional with a strong track record in fundraising strategy and grant writing (local, state, and federal).
Primary Responsibilities
Design and implement a multiyear, diversified fundraising strategy aligned with organizational growth goals
Lead major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, annual giving, and campaign initiatives
Partner with the CEO and Board on donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship
Prepare and position the organization for major gifts, capital opportunities, and long-term philanthropic investment
Build innovative revenue streams and community investment strategies
Lead the full lifecycle of grant strategy: prospecting, writing, submission, reporting, and compliance
Secure and manage local, state, and federal grants
Maintain a proactive grants calendar and pipeline
Collaborate with program and finance teams on outcomes, budgets, and reporting
Build strong relationships with government agencies and foundations
Utilize CRM and AI tools to support prospect research, donor engagement, and grant writing
Implement metrics-driven fundraising dashboards and forecasting
Analyze giving trends and identify growth opportunities
Support digital fundraising campaigns and technology adoption
Support Board fundraising engagement and committees
Represent FSC in Galveston County and with regional and state funders
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required
7+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising and/or development leadership
Demonstrated success with grant writing (local, state, and federal)
Proven fundraising strategy experience and donor cultivation success
Experience using CRM systems and fundraising analytics
Experience leveraging AI tools and metrics in fundraising or grant writing
Exceptional writing, relationship-building, and communication skills
Preferred
CFRE certification (preferred but not required)
Experience in mental health, family services, healthcare, or human services
Experience working closely with a CEO and Board of Directors
What We Offer
Hybrid work structure based in Galveston, Texas
Executive leadership role with direct CEO partnership
Opportunity to build and scale a development department
Competitive salary and benefits (commensurate with experience)
Mission-driven, community-centered culture
Opportunity to shape regional impact and funding growth