Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is Project Hospitality's senior philanthropy executive and a key member of the Executive Team, responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy that accelerates philanthropic revenue, diversifies private funding sources, and strengthens the organization's long-term financial sustainability. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CAO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board of Directors, aligning philanthropy with Project Hospitality's mission, strategic priorities, and vision for community impact. The CAO is expected to serve as an enterprise leader, contributing to organizational strategy and acting as a trusted advisor to the CEO on matters of philanthropy, external relations, and long-term organizational sustainability.

The CAO provides executive leadership for all advancement functions, including major gifts, annual and planned giving, foundation and corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, capital and special campaigns, signature fundraising events, and community engagement. The CAO will build and lead a high-performing Advancement team, cultivate transformational relationships with donors and strategic partners, and serve as a visible ambassador for Project Hospitality throughout Staten Island and the greater New York philanthropic community. Through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, the CAO will strengthen the organization's brand, expand philanthropic investment, and advance Project Hospitality's mission and community impact.

The CAO will lead and develop the Advancement Department, providing direct supervision to the Director of Development and Senior Development Associate while overseeing the work of advancement consultants and external partners, including government relations, fund development, and grant writing. The CAO will ensure that the department's people, systems, and external resources are aligned to achieve Project Hospitality's strategic fundraising and philanthropic objectives.

In partnership with the CEO, the CAO serves as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors' Development Committee, working closely with the Committee Chair to advance the Board's fundraising priorities, strengthen Board engagement in philanthropy, and support a culture of philanthropy and Board engagement. 

As Project Hospitality's chief fundraising strategist and ambassador, the CAO will champion innovation, collaboration, and accountability to position the organization for sustained philanthropic growth and lasting community impact.

Executive Leadership

• Serve as Project Hospitality's chief philanthropy executive and strategic advisor to the CEO. 
• Develop, execute, and continuously refine a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with the organization's strategic plan and long-term financial goals.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization. 
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Advancement team and oversee external consultants and strategic partners. 

Fundraising & Revenue Growth

• Lead all philanthropic revenue strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, campaigns, and donor stewardship. 
• Expand unrestricted revenue and diversify philanthropic funding sources. 
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors, foundations, corporations, and strategic partners. 
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, evaluate organizational performance, and use data to drive continuous improvement.

Board & Executive Partnership

• Partner closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to advance fundraising priorities and organizational growth. 
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Development Committee and work closely with the Committee Chair to strengthen Board engagement in philanthropy. 
• Prepare and present fundraising strategies, reports, and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board. 

External Relations & Brand Leadership

• Represent Project Hospitality with donors, foundations, corporations, elected officials, faith communities, and community leaders. 
• Strengthen the organization's visibility, reputation, and philanthropic presence throughout Staten Island and the greater New York region. 
• Provide executive oversight of advancement communications, marketing, and donor engagement initiatives. 

Advancement Operations

• Ensure best-in-class advancement operations, including CRM management, fundraising analytics, prospect development, stewardship, reporting, and performance measurement. 
• Build and continuously strengthen the systems, processes, technology, and infrastructure necessary to support sustainable fundraising growth and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership in nonprofit fundraising or advancement. 
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts. 
• Proven track record of increasing philanthropic revenue and diversifying funding sources. 
• Experience leading comprehensive advancement programs and high-performing teams. 
• Experience partnering effectively with CEOs, Boards of Directors, and executive leadership. 
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and strategic leadership skills. 

Preferred

• Experience in human services, healthcare, or a mission-driven nonprofit organization. 
• Experience leading capital campaigns and planned giving programs. 
• Knowledge of government funding and public-private partnerships.

Why Join Project Hospitality

Project Hospitality is Staten Island's leading human services organization, dedicated to ending hunger and homelessness and strengthening communities through compassionate, comprehensive services. The Chief Advancement Officer will have a unique opportunity to shape the organization's philanthropic future, build a best-in-class advancement program, and partner with an engaged CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team to expand impact for thousands of individuals and families across the region.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $120,000-$125,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. In addition to base salary, the Chief Advancement Officer will be eligible to participate in a performance-based incentive plan tied to the achievement of mutually agreed-upon strategic advancement objectives, organizational growth, and long-term philanthropic sustainability. 

We are the largest nonprofit on Staten Island, committed to serving the needs of hungry and homeless. We serve people with special needs - people living with HIV and AIDS, people using substances, people living with mental illness - with an array of on-site professional services. We offer a comprehensive continuum of compassionate care that begins with street outreach, shelter, and soup kitchen and food pantry, and extends to treatment, other clinical and support services, and transitional and permanent supportive housing. Visit our website for more information at

Company Description

We are the largest nonprofit on Staten Island, committed to serving the needs of hungry and homeless. We serve people with special needs - people living with HIV and AIDS, people using substances, people living with mental illness - with an array of on-site professional services. We offer a comprehensive continuum of compassionate care that begins with street outreach, shelter, and soup kitchen and food pantry, and extends to treatment, other clinical and support services, and transitional and permanent supportive housing. Visit our website for more information at