Description
THE ORGANIZATION:
Founded in 1942, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has spent more than 80 years standing with people in their most difficult moments. A national leader in mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services, Didi Hirsch is paving the way in whole-person care. As the home of the nation’s first and most comprehensive Suicide Prevention Center and one of the largest 988 crisis centers, Didi Hirsch has been shaping the landscape of suicide prevention through innovative modalities and high-quality crisis care. Today, Didi Hirsch is a $90 million agency serving more than 270,000 people each year. Didi Hirsch is powered by more than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers who provide thoughtful, culturally responsive care across nine locations. From early childhood through older adulthood, the organization offers integrated mental health and substance use services designed to meet people where they are. With a strong focus on youth mental health, Didi Hirsch operates Teen Line, a nationally recognized peer-to-peer crisis line, Our Third Place, a youth wellness center, and partners with schools, youth-serving organizations, and families to support young people at risk. Through community-based services, outpatient care, crisis services, and round-the-clock residential programs, Didi Hirsch continues its mission to help people heal, find hope, and thrive. To learn more about Didi Hirsch and its programs, please visit https://didihirsch.org/.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) is a key member of the Executive Team and a strategic partner to the CEO, responsible for leading a bold, forward-thinking fundraising and communications vision that will take Didi Hirsch to its next level of impact and growth. This leader will drive the expansion of Didi Hirsch’s philanthropic reach by building a new and diversified donor pipeline, significantly growing private revenue, and introducing innovative, creative fundraising strategies that attract new supporters and deepen engagement with the mission.
Overseeing a department of 15, the CPO will lead a comprehensive development and communications program that integrates major gifts and planned giving, institutional partnerships, and high-impact events with a compelling, mission-driven communications plan. This role requires a highly entrepreneurial leader who is energized by identifying and securing new opportunities, cultivating new donor audiences, and positioning Didi Hirsch for long-term sustainability and national prominence. In fiscal year 2025, Didi Hirsch raised $5 million in private philanthropic revenue, with a funding mix of Individuals, corporations, and foundations. The CPO will be expected to significantly and strategically grow this portfolio by expanding individual and new donor contributions. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Fundraising Strategy
Takes primary responsibility for achieving and significantly growing the $5M+ annual private revenue goal, by developing an innovative strategy and execution of a transformative fundraising plan focused on expanding and diversifying the donor base.
Personally manages a high-level portfolio of principal gift prospects; identifies, cultivates, and solicits six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals and institutions.
Builds and leads a new donor pipeline, identifying, cultivating, and securing relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporate partners not previously engaged with Didi Hirsch.
Partners with the Board of Directors to strengthen engagement, increase giving, and activate networks to support growth.
Ensures a stewardship experience where donors receive timely acknowledgment and updates on agency impact.
Oversees agency events, including cultivation events, Suicide Prevention 5K Walk/Run, Open Houses, and other gatherings.
Leadership & Management
Partners with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team to set and execute development and communications strategies that strengthen financial sustainability, visibility, and organizational reputation.
Serves as a strategic partner to the CEO by identifying and cultivating funder opportunities, shaping communications, and ensuring effective external positioning to advance philanthropic goals.
Attends all Board meetings and presents fundraising updates, strategic vision, and insights.
In partnership with the Committee Chair, leads the Development and Communications Board Committee.
Serves on the Executive Team to align fundraising and communications with programmatic, financial, and operational priorities and strategic goals.
Builds and sustains a high-performing, collaborative team through recruitment, performance management, coaching, professional development, and succession planning.
Maintains current knowledge of best practices in fundraising and marketing within the nonprofit and mental health sectors.
Communications & Marketing
Serves as a thought partner to the CEO and executive team on messaging, position, and external relations.
Develops innovative strategies to significantly grow the reputation of Didi Hirch, positioning it as a premier resource for mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to donors, partners, and the public.
Offers strategic guidance for business growth, including client acquisition strategies for priority programs.
Shapes the organizational narrative through mission-driven content that translates clinical successes into powerful philanthropic messages.
Oversees department that manages media relations, digital communication, including website, email, and social media to drive engagement, awareness, and donor conversion.
Operations, Budgeting & Analytics
Develops and manages the department budget, ensuring fiscal accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
Partners with development operations to generate and analyze fundraising reports, assess donor trends, and recommend strategic adjustments.
Ensures policies and procedures are maintained to support sophisticated pipeline management and donor tracking.
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
The CPO will be a creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial fundraiser who thrives on building state-of-the-art development plans. The ideal candidate will be energized by the challenge of expanding reach, cultivating new donor communities, and developing bold strategies that drive measurable growth.
A champion of Didi Hirsch’s mission, this leader will be an empathic leader who can authentically embody and promote the agency’s vision of providing compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice have limited access to care.
Top candidates will be entrepreneurial development leaders with a track record of executing forward-thinking strategies across major gifts, campaigns, annual giving, special events, planned giving, foundation relations, and government relations. They will have considerable experience in designing, presenting, and negotiating high-level gift arrangements, including significant individual and institutional gifts from foundations, corporations, and government funding. Exceptional verbal and written communications skills are essential to advance the agency’s message and deepen supporter relationships.
This role requires a results-oriented leader with strong management abilities and the skill to execute multiple complex projects under deadlines without sacrificing quality. The ideal candidate will be a master storyteller, capable of influencing outcomes through active listening and fostering collaborative relationships across all organizational levels. They must lead with transparency, maintain high expectations and accountability for their team, and foster a culture of creativity, focus, and follow-through.
CAREER PATH LEADING TO THIS POSITION
Leading candidates will have a proven record of raising significant support and proven success with major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate giving, foundation grants, special events, and campaigns. A minimum of 8–10 years of senior executive-level leadership experience is required. A track record of personally securing six- and seven-figure gifts is essential. Knowledge of best practices and trends in healthcare, advocacy, data-driven marketing, brand management, and public relations is preferred. Candidates should have a proven record of success in leadership positions that plan and operate strategically, build public support, strengthen infrastructure, and inspire staff and board members. Candidates with experience in healthcare, education, human service, social justice, or other pertinent environments would be ideal.
EDUCATION
An advanced degree in social work, human services management, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field is preferred.
COMPENSATION
The annual salary is $275,000-300,000 based on experience. This position is also eligible for a 15% performance-based bonus. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided. Relocation assistance is available and negotiable.
This is a hybrid position. The CPO is expected to be available for frequent in-person meetings, including evenings and weekends with donors, board members, and community members.
