The Organization
At Thrive Scholars, our goal is to see talented BIPOC students
from economically disadvantaged communities develop economic
mobility and financial security, and become the diverse corporate,
civic, and academic leaders our country so desperately
needs.
Our comprehensive, data-driven, high-touch program model focuses on the key
inflection points that can be the difference between graduating
from any college, and graduating from a top college with the
grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in
careers that position them for career mobility. Over our six-year
program spanning junior year of high school through college
graduation, Scholars benefit from expert college advising, academic
preparation, social-emotional and academic support, financial
support and career development.
Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central
Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization
has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has
focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving
underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve;
and deepening our program impact.
JOB SUMMARY
Over the last three years, Thrive Scholars has grown from 18
staff and a $6M budget to 80 staff and a $20M budget. We are
currently embarking on a new strategic plan and expect to
gradually increase our budget to $40M by 2027.
Given the growth-to-date and the projected growth, Thrive
Scholars seeks a dynamic, strategically-minded, goal-driven, strong
relationship manager to assume the responsibility of the
organization’s next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO).
Thrive Scholars’ Chief Advancement Officer leads the planning
and implementation of a multi-year, comprehensive fundraising
program to significantly increase philanthropic revenue from
individuals, corporations and foundations to support the
organization’s mission and vision. The person in this
position will strengthen and facilitate relationships with current
and future supporters, solicit contributions on behalf of the
organization, and expand a community of philanthropic investors who
share a belief in the unique role that Thrive Scholars plays
providing high-achieving students of color from economically
under-resourced communities the opportunities they need to thrive
at top colleges and in careers that position them for economic
mobility.
In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of
Directors, this position is responsible for attracting
philanthropic support for programmatic and operational priorities.
The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build
Thrive Scholars’ visibility, impact, and financial resources.
Candidates should be experienced fundraising leaders who have a
track record of building comprehensive fundraising and
communications programs. They should possess a strong
strategic focus with a keen appreciation of operational
requirements. Experience working with a multi-site
organization is required, and candidates should have experience
raising significant resources that have grown over time, managing a
personal portfolio closing major gifts, working in partnership with
staff and volunteer teams, particularly in environments without the
natural donor constituencies enjoyed by colleges, hospitals, and
cultural institutions.
The CAO will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and will
report to Thrive Scholars’ Chief Executive Officer. Currently, our
development team includes 14 professionals leading major gifts,
foundation relations, Thrive Scholars’ regions, communications and
other support areas. The CAO will have the opportunity
to shape the structure of the team moving forward.
The Chief Advancement Officer supports the fundraising efforts
of the National Board of Directors.
The CAO can be based anywhere in the United States. This
role will include national travel, including travel to Board
meetings, staff retreats, and donor meetings.
Core Responsibilities:
Lead: Implement a comprehensive fundraising
program.
- Maximize revenue nationally and in all local Thrive Scholars
regions - Implement fundraising strategies and programs to achieve annual
and multi-year fundraising goals to fuel Thrive Scholars programs
and operations. - Increase philanthropic support from individuals by attracting
leadership, major and planned gifts, and from institutional
funders, including foundations and corporations. - Prepare multi-year and annual fundraising growth plans in
collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer. - Leverage the philanthropic potential of all donors, ensuring
donors have an excellent experience when supporting Thrive
Scholars. Implement strong prospect cultivation and donor
stewardship practices for all staff and volunteers nationally and
locally to embrace. - Provide leadership, strategic direction, management and
coordination for all aspects of the organization’s development
efforts. - Oversee the creation of Thrive Scholars publications, including
donor correspondence, annual reports, and press releases.
Generate Revenue: Raise the philanthropic
resources necessary to achieve Thrive Scholars’ impact
goals.
- Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors who have the
potential to provide significant charitable gifts to the
organization. Cultivate prospects and steward donor relationship
through outstanding communication, engagement and recognition. - Identify new funding prospects to support the
organization. - Serve as a passionate proponent of the organization and its
mission. Appropriately represent the organization, its Board
of Directors and staff leadership to donors and prospects.
People Leadership: Ensure that development team
members are equipped to excel in their roles, develop
professionally, and have a positive experience of working at Thrive
Scholars.
- Be responsible for hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance
management, and talent development of six direct reports, and
support these leaders in doing the same for those who report to
them - Promote ongoing learning and development across the development
team by identifying team areas for growth and collaborating with
the Managing Director of Talent and Operations to develop
appropriate learning and development strategies - Foster a positive team culture and facilitate staff engagement
by effectively connecting tasks to mission impact, and promoting a
team practice of dialogue, feedback, accountability, and
celebrating success.
Collaboration: Work with volunteer and staff
leadership to enhance their fundraising skills and to support their
revenue generating efforts.
- Partner with the Chief Executive Officer to deploy his time and
attention to leverage the greatest revenue generating
opportunities. Coordinate fundraising efforts of other senior staff
and volunteer leaders. - Work effectively with the National Board of Directors, National
Board of Trustees, Local Boards of Directors and other key
volunteers, leveraging their talents, resources and ideas to
enhance fundraising activities; enhance the members of the National
Board of Directors ability to identify fundraising opportunities
and encourage their ongoing participation as donors and
solicitors. - Build strong relationships with Thrive Scholars program
leadership and staff; understand Thrive Scholars programs; work
collaboratively with program leadership to integrate innovative
development strategies throughout the program; ensure development
engagement of Scholars is informed by program best-practices. - Foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization.
Assure that the organization’s culture, systems and procedures
support fund development and vice versa.
Organizational Leadership: Serve as a member of
Thrive Scholars senior management team to advance the
organization’s goals.
- First and foremost, maintain focus on achievement of the
organization-wide goals, and build and implement the comprehensive
fundraising program to support achievement of the goals set forth
in Thrive Scholars’ annual and long-term strategic plan/s. - Provide counsel and guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and
members of the senior staff team in order to incorporate the
development perspective. - Embrace a culture focused on strong vertical and horizontal
communication lines throughout the organization.
Qualifications and Experience:
There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel
professionally. We respect this when we review applications and
take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. The
qualifications and experiences listed below are intended as a
guide; we do not expect candidates to check every box. If you
believe you can meet the expectations and responsibilities of this
position, we want to get to know you and the unique strengths you
will bring to the work.
- High energy and passion for Thrive Scholars mission is
essential - 10-plus years of professional experience in a nonprofit
organization; minimum 5 years of experience leading a development
department for a larger, multi-site nonprofit organization;
demonstrated success in leading and growing a development function
and attracting 6- and 7-figure gifts - Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets
- Demonstrable track record of personally identifying,
cultivating, soliciting, and closing individual donors,
corporations and foundations - A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing
such activities as: major gifts, annual funds, corporate and
foundation giving, and planned giving - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and quickly gain
the respect and support of various constituencies, including the
Board of Directors and staff members, donors, foundation and
service recipients - Knowledge of and relationship with national and regional
funders, foundations and corporations - A solid understanding of nonprofit/for-profit fiscal
management, principles and best practices - Experience implementing and managing a database system,
preferably Salesforce - Creative, resilient and strategic in approach
- A track record as an effective communicator; highly developed
skills in writing and speaking; competence at crafting messaging
for donor audiences; the ability to communicate the program’s
mission and interests to a broad audience - Ability to give and receive feedback as a tool for growth
- The ability to lead effectively, flexible and adaptable style;
a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical
fundraising initiatives - Strong organizational and time management skills with
exceptional attention to detail - Works independently and as a team player, takes initiative, and
manages multiple tasks and projects at a time - Outstanding customer service skills
- Works well under pressure to meet deadlines
Competencies
Along with the specific qualifications and experiences noted
above, senior leaders at Thrive Scholars are expected to
demonstrate the following leadership competencies:
- Setting Strategy: Creates clear, effective strategies that
inform the team’s work and build towards the larger
vision. - Leading through Change: Effectively engages and mobilizes
stakeholders through change by mitigating stress, demonstrating
compassion, and illustrating and planning for a desirable
future. - Leadership Presence: Demonstrates confidence, authenticity
and poise to both internal and external audiences. - Building: Creates new and better ways for the organization
to be successful, shaping theory and/or practice in the field.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Thrive Scholars offers a competitive compensation and benefits
package including high-quality health and dental insurance, four
weeks of paid vacation, generous professional development funding,
and access to an employer-matched retirement plan. This is a
full-time exempt position.
Compensation range (base plus bonus): $250K – $325K
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
Thrive has a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees,
including remote staff. Individuals selected for job opportunities
must be fully vaccinated and up to date, per CDC guidelines, and will be
required to provide proof of vaccination status in advance of your
hire date.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons
or sincerely-held religious beliefs, Thrive will consider requests
for reasonable accommodations consistent with our policy.
Accommodation requests cannot be guaranteed, Thrive will consider
requests where we are able to provide such accommodations without
undue hardship to the organization pursuant to applicable law. Any
such accommodation must be approved in advance of signing an offer
letter.
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Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to
all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits
discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion,
gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age,
disability, or veteran status.
Knowing its importance to the success of our work, Thrive
Scholars is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we aspire to
build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage
people of all backgrounds to apply. We appreciate your time and
will review and respond to all applications received.
For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org
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