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Chief Advancement Officer - Lancaster & Chester Counties - Good Samaritan Services

Job Description

Good Sam Mission Statement:

Good Samaritan Services (Good Sam) compassionately responds to homelessness and poverty.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Chief Advancement Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Status: Full-time

Travel expectations: The Chief Advancement Officer is responsible for leading fundraising efforts and managing staff across our 5 locations in Lancaster & Chester Counties.

The Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity for someone eager to spearhead growth and advancement at a mission-driven and innovative organization with ambitious plans to expand our impact in the communities we serve. We are committed to offering a competitive salary, which will reflect the experience and skills the successful candidate brings to the organization.

We provide an exceptional benefits package, including nearly 100% employer-paid health insurance, a retirement plan with a company match of up to 3%, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, paid time off, holiday pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and tuition reimbursement. This role offers significant growth potential, as the successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape and lead our future.

About Good Sam:

Established in 2002, Good Samaritan Services (Good Sam) has been dedicated to compassionately responding to homelessness and poverty. Inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan, our mission is rooted in the imperative to “Go and do likewise,” demonstrating love and care for our neighbors in need.

What began as a modest emergency shelter for 5 men in Phoenixville has since flourished into a comprehensive organization serving up to 300 men, women, and children daily across five locations: Phoenixville, Kennett Square, Coatesville, Ephrata, and Lancaster City. Good Sam has grown by a remarkable 1,600% (budget and number of people served) since 2009.

With a staff of over 40 dedicated individuals and supported by hundreds of volunteers, Good Sam owns 15 properties utilized for short-term housing, providing over 100 beds of safe housing every night. In addition, Good Sam provides $250,000 annually in rental assistance to help individuals and families avoid homelessness.

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our Seal of Excellence accreditation from the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), a recognition of our exceptional management practices. Funded predominantly by private donations, our $3.4 million budget fuels our transformative programs and services.

At Good Sam, we offer a holistic approach to addressing homelessness and poverty. Our comprehensive programs encompass relationship-based case management, professional counseling, rental assistance, food provision, and financial empowerment initiatives such as the Matched Savings Program and Microloan Program. This comprehensive approach has enabled us to assist thousands of individuals and families, facilitating their transition from crisis to stability.

Notably, 25% of our staff are graduates of our program, exemplifying the transformative impact of our work. Annually, we serve over 800 individuals, ranging from those experiencing street homelessness to families facing housing insecurity.

From our humble beginnings to our current multifaceted operations, Good Sam remains steadfast in our commitment to serving and empowering those in need.

Moving forward, we have an ambitious strategic plan which calls for us to increase our impact and serve more people in our communities. As a result, the Chief Advancement Officer will be expected to not only meet the current budget requirements, but also spearhead significant growth in our fundraising efforts.

Position Summary:

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) at Good Sam is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet the organization’s annual revenue goal of $3.4 million. The CAO will lead and inspire a team focused on Fundraising & Donor Relations, Marketing & Communications, Grants Management, Volunteer Stewardship, and Networking to advance Good Sam’s mission of compassionately responding to homelessness and poverty. This individual will cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, community leaders, and volunteers to increase awareness, support, and financial stability for the organization.

The CAO will oversee all aspects of fund development, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, special events, and grant writing. They will also play a key role in enhancing Good Sam’s public presence and brand recognition. As a member of the Leadership Team, the CAO will collaborate closely with staff across all locations to align fundraising efforts with programmatic and community engagement goals.

The ideal candidate is an innovative and driven leader with a proven track record in fundraising and development, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to build meaningful partnerships to support Good Sam’s ongoing growth and impact.

 

Key Accountabilities:

Fundraising & Donor Relations

  • Develop and implement an annual fund development plan to ensure fiscal health and future growth.
  • Oversee strategies for annual funds, major gifts, planned giving, capital needs, donor prospecting, events, campaigns, grants, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Lead donor stewardship efforts, ensuring continuous engagement, recognition, and upgrades.
  • Create regular appreciation and recognition initiatives for donors/volunteers.
  • Expand revenue streams through sponsorships, partnerships, and in-kind donations.
  • Manage timely donor acknowledgment processes.
  • Enhance Good Sam’s brand recognition and identify new donor prospects.
  • Build relationships with churches, seeking speaking opportunities.

Board of Directors Relations

  • Lead the Board’s Development Committee to set and achieve fundraising goals.
  • Provide fundraising training to Board members and leadership volunteers.
  • Present Development reports to the Board and attend meetings.
  • Assist the Board in identifying and researching new members.

Staff Management & Leadership

  • Supervise a team of seven, ensuring training and development opportunities.
  • Set performance goals, conduct reviews, and facilitate regular team meetings.

Marketing & Communications

  • Supervise the Marketing & Communications Manager to ensure brand consistency and accuracy.
  • Collaborate with the development team to create outreach strategies for fundraising campaigns that go beyond print & digital marketing tactics, ensuring an integrated approach to engaging the community, donors, volunteers, and partners to maximize campaign success.

Grants Management

  • Supervise Grant Writers and ensure reporting requirements are met.
  • Foster collaboration between Grant Writers and Program/Operations staff.
  • Inform Program staff of specific grant stipulations when necessary.
  • Identify new grant opportunities.

Volunteer Stewardship

  • Establish volunteer recognition and cultivation processes.
  • Ensure volunteer standards are met across all locations.

Networking

  • Represent Good Sam at community events (Chamber, Rotary, etc.).
  • Deliver presentations and attend outreach events to expand network.
  • Ensure Development Team participation in networking events.

Database Utilization/IT

  • Master donor database management for research and note-taking.
  • Identify and implement software needs for development/volunteer management.
  • Train Development staff on relevant software programs.

Fundraising Events

  • Plan and execute events with the support of Development Team and Committees: Taste of Phoenixville, Ephrata Eats, Golf Outing, Phoenixville Bed Races, Holiday Hustle Race Series, etc.
  • Solicit event sponsorships and track revenue/expenses.

General Administration

  • Analyze data for progress and trends, ensuring accurate record-keeping.
  • Collaborate with Leadership Team to align financial support with community engagement needs.
  • Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training staff when needed.
  • Maintain compliance with company policies and support annual budget creation.
  • Set annual goals for the Development Team aligned with budget objectives.

General Support to the CEO

  • Handle duties assigned by the CEO.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of proven experience in fundraising, with a strong track record of securing substantial funding for non-profits or similar organizations.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience supervising teams, with the ability to manage and drive initiatives that support an annual budget of $3.4 million.
  • Passionate about Good Sam’s mission, with confidence in the organization’s goals and a proactive, goal-oriented mindset.
  • Proven success in fundraising, relationship building with board members, donors, and stakeholders, and working both independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills with the ability to troubleshoot, execute plans, and exceed budget goals.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with strong interpersonal abilities to connect with people and build lasting relationships.
  • Proficient in marketing, social media, and donor database software, with a solid grasp of development tools and systems.
  • Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and proof of auto insurance.

Salary: $105,000 – $120,000 annually. Commensurate with experience.