Chief Development Officer

About CO2 Coalition, Inc.

The CO2 Coalition is a 501(c)(3) research and education organization that advances the scientific case for carbon dioxide as an essential nutrient for life and economic prosperity. Our programs equip policymakers, educators, and the public with rigorous data that challenges alarmist climate narratives.

About the Role

The CO2 Coalition seeks a decisive, metrics-driven fundraising executive to architect and scale a diversified revenue engine that grows annual philanthropic support to $5 million-plus within three years. Reporting to the Senior Vice President and collaborating closely with the Executive Director and Board, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will design, execute, and continuously optimize an integrated development strategy that expands the donor base, deepens donor lifetime value, and secures the resources needed to amplify CO2 Coalition’s voice in national climate policy debates.

Primary Responsibilities

This candidate will be successful if …

• They build a predictable donor-acquisition engine. Within the first 12 months, acquire 70% net-new donors—at or below target cost per acquisition—through data-driven direct mail, email, and digital campaigns that continuously test and refine offers, audiences, and channels.
• They convert and upgrade high-value prospects into long-term investors. Over the next 18 months, double the major-gift portfolio and major-gift revenue by 50%, moving qualified prospects through a disciplined cultivation pipeline while sustaining best-in-class retention among leadership-level donors.
• They make the development infrastructure hum. Publish real-time dashboards with near-zero data errors, deliver 100 % on-time gift processing, acknowledgments, and grant reports, and keep conversion, upgrade, and renewal rates at—or above—current benchmarks through rigorous, insight-driven performance management.

The portfolio of work will include:

• Data Management (updating Salesforce records, mining data, and developing reports)
• Donor Research
• Donor Correspondence
• Donor Development (Major Gifts Program)
• Grant Writing
• Direct Marketing (high dollar and low dollar direct mail)
• Email Fundraising
• Planned Giving Program
• Caging and Fulfillment Management

Job Tasks

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan that includes the following programs
  • a. Major gifts ($10,000+)
  • b. Corporate giving
  • c. Foundation giving
  • d. Planned giving
  • e. Special events
    • Direct Mail Programs
    • High Dollar
    • Hybrid/Low Dollar
    • Email
    • Monthly Giving Program
    • Informational Printed Newsletters

• Manage and lead a team of fundraising professionals
  • a. Provide guidance, training & support to junior development staff
  • b. Set goals and expectations
  • c. Monitor performance
• Work with the Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Senior Vice President
  • a. Develop fundraising strategies and goals that align with the organization’s mission and values
  • b. Present fundraising plans and performance metrics
• Monitor and Analyze Fundraising Data
  • a. Evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed
  • b. Make data-driven decisions

Specialized Direct Mail Responsibilities

Development Publications + Editorial Execution

• Manage the layout and design of printed fundraising publications in partnership with designers and print vendors.
• Execute editorial calendar and production timelines for all print materials.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director to write compelling content for newsletters, annual reports and donor publications.

Direct Mail Production Coordination and Fundraising Support

• Coordinate content, layout and audiences for non-fundraising direct mailing.
• Liaise with print shop and mailing vendors to ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Coordinate with the Senior Vice President to execute projects such as mailings, donor outreach, in-person donor visits, presentations and research.
• Work with the future Major Gift Officer on mailings, outreach and events.

Development Research & Correspondence

• Identify and research new funding opportunities and prepare concise briefs on these opportunities for the Executive Director and Senior Vice President.
• Document call notes and track follow-up actions to ensure timely execution.
• Prepare donor communication materials, updates, and reports.
• Maintain donor records in the CRM system; ensure proper acknowledgment and tracking.

Grants Management

• Manage the full project management lifecycle of grants from pre-award to post-award, including proposal submission, contracting, reporting, and closeout.
• Gather data from program teams to ensure compelling and accurate submissions.
• Maintain detailed grant files, calendars, and dashboards to monitor progress and upcoming deadlines.
• Manage calendars and ensure compliance with all grant terms, conditions, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare interim and final narrative and financial reports; ensure alignment with funder expectations and organizational outcomes.

Legal & Finance Coordination

Collaborate with legal and finance teams to review development-related contracts, agreements, and regulatory compliance.
Monitor the development of grant and program budgets and financial reporting.
Maintain secure and organized records.
Assist with the annual audit.

Salary and Benefits

This position is structured as a full-time position with benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Benefits include:

• Healthcare, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick days
• Paid jury and bereavement leave
• Retirement matching contribution
• Parking or transportation subsidy

Office Location and Dress Code

The office is near the Dunn Loring Metro stop. Work is to be conducted during normal 9 am-5 pm business hours with occasional, but infrequent, work in the evenings and on weekends.

The office dress code is business casual, but outside appointments may require formal business attire.

Application Instructions

Candidates should submit the following documents via email to info@co2coalition.org:

• Cover letter that includes salary expectations
• Resume