Chief Development Officer

About the Organization

The Asian American Foundation serves the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in their pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AANHPI communities, TAAF mobilizes to fight against hate and violence, reclaim our narratives and celebrate our stories by ensuring prosperity, safety and belonging. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AANHPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org. 

About the Role

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a visionary C-suite leader and the principal architect of TAAF's long-term financial strategy. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CDO will build and sustain a robust, diverse and multigenerational funding base to ensure TAAF’s enduring impact. This leader will develop and execute a sophisticated, multi-year fundraising strategy that integrates both traditional and innovative sources of capital.

The CDO will lead and inspire a high-performing development team, overseeing a successful individual giving program while building and directing a strong operational infrastructure to support ambitious growth goals. Central to this role is the ability to strategically engage TAAF’s Board to unlock transformational philanthropy and global influence.

In addition, the CDO will design and launch pioneering long-term funding vehicles including endowments, legacy giving programs and innovative platforms such as a TAAF Donor-Advised Fund. The role also includes spearheading the creation of a highly sophisticated Philanthropic Advisory Service for AAPI donors—an offering designed to complement and rival best-in-class Family Office and Wealth Management services.

This is a rare opportunity for an executive who brings strategic gravitas, excels at complex institutional design and has a proven record of securing eight- and nine-figure philanthropic commitments. The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional judgment, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a deep commitment to building an institution that advances TAAF’s vision of a future in which every AANHPI community can thrive.

Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Institutional Strategy

• Serve as the architect and principal executive of the Foundation's global individual-giving strategy, accountable for securing sustainable, generational revenue that guarantees TAAF's permanent standing.
• Build, empower, and direct a lead fundraising team with the potential to grow, instilling a culture of strategic excellence, accountability, and high-velocity execution.
• Execute a high-level engagement strategy for the Chief Executive Officer and Board of TAAF, mobilizing their networks and influence for major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead and execute major, high-stakes institutional campaigns designed to significantly raise brand awareness and secure enterprise-level resources.
• Serve as the executive liaison with all TAAF departments (Partnerships, Media, Legal, Marketing, Programming) to ensure institutional alignment on all funding requirements and partner deliverables.

Proprietary Philanthropic Advisory Service

• Establish and steward a globally recognized, proprietary Philanthropic Advisory Service for AAPI donors.
• Design and launch a best-in-class advisory framework that provides strategic guidance to AAPI donors, positioning the service as an essential complement to global Family Office and Wealth Management firms.

Financial Innovation and Long-Term Capital

• Design and implement long-term capital programs critical for TAAF's permanence, including the creation and management of an institutional endowment fund and a comprehensive, national legacy giving/planned giving platform.
• Lead the development and launch of innovative philanthropic vehicles, such as the TAAF Donor Advised Fund (DAF), to attract new segments of philanthropic partners.
• In partnership with the Marketing teams, develop and drive the mass-market/digital giving strategy, ensuring the online experience leverages modern technology to provide a meaningful experience that fosters inspiration and belonging. This includes building a robust monthly giving segment, focused on maximizing Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). 
• Work in tandem with the Chief Partnerships Officer on a sponsorship strategy by sector (technology, finance, pharmaceutical, retail, travel, hospitality, etc.), driving the development of a high-value proposition and multi-year revenue forecast.

Executive Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Direct the creation and execution of bespoke, world-class engagement and stewardship experiences designed to cultivate and retain the world's leading AAPI philanthropists.
• Personally manage a portfolio of the highest-tier major prospects and partners (8 and 9 figures), orchestrating complex, multi-faceted solicitation strategies.
• Prepare and present detailed and compelling investment proposals, reports, and high-level correspondence for the world’s most significant philanthropic leaders and organizations.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of individual donor experience ensuring flawless execution of complex agreements, compliance with contractual obligations, and appropriate crediting across all print and digital platforms.

Events & Operations

• In partnership with the Chief Partnerships Officer, conceptualize and produce a season of compelling fundraising events designed to cultivate and secure current and prospective funders, including salon dinners, cultural gatherings, and benefit galas.
• Direct the administration of the entire Development effort, including fiduciary oversight of all income and expense budgets and the management of all corporate and major gift records.
• Other duties as assigned. 

• An advanced degree in a relevant field of study is highly preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive executive experience in development, institutional advancement, or financial services, with at least five years serving in a C-suite capacity.
• A documented, verifiable track record of personally closing multi-million gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations across national and international networks.
• Proven success in working collaboratively with and leveraging other C-Suite Leaders and Executive Board of Directors to drive transformational fundraising results.
• Significant experience in establishing or scaling complex financial instruments, such as endowments, planned giving programs, or high-net-worth advisory services.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative, strategic funding plans that have resulted in exponential revenue growth and institutional permanence.

Skills and Knowledge

• Unwavering passion for and intellectual commitment to the mission and vision of The Asian American Foundation.
• Exceptional strategic acuity with the ability to define and drive a complex, long-term institutional vision.
• Executive-level presence, gravitas, and communication skills required to engage with the highest echelons of global philanthropy, government, and business.
• Expert knowledge of philanthropic advisory, wealth management, or family office services is a significant asset.
• Mastery of development best practices, ethics, governance, and emerging global fundraising trends.
• Impeccable judgment, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and implement initiatives that create game-changing, permanent institutional impact.
• Proven ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion.

Working Hours

• Requires extensive flexibility for evening, weekend, and off-hours work to meet global partner needs.
• Significant domestic and international travel is required.

Location

• This role requires residency in New York or San Francisco with three days in office (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

• TAAF provides competitive compensation and benefits including health insurance (including dental and vision) and a 401k retirement plan to all employees.
• Anticipated salary is $275,000.00.