Chief Development Officer, The BASE

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an exciting moment to join The BASE, a nationally recognized, Boston-based leader in leveraging the power of sports to transform lives and communities. As Chief Development Officer, you will lead and grow an ambitious fundraising strategy that directly fuels opportunities for urban youth to achieve their full potential. Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a key voice on the Senior Leadership Team, you will collaborate with a dedicated staff, engaged Board members, and dedicated partners to expand The BASE’s reach and impact. This is an opportunity for a proven development leader who enjoys both strategy and hands-on work to bring creativity, passion, and rigor to a mission-driven organization poised for its next chapter of growth. As part of this close-knit team, the CDO will thrive in a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and fast-paced environment where rolling up your sleeves is just as important as leading strategy.

OVERVIEW

The BASE was founded in Boston in 2013 to shift the national mindset and re-imagine pathways to success for urban youth. The BASE provides student athletes with year-round, baseball, basketball, and softball instruction and league/tournament play, access to academic and career resources, and college scholarships. The BASE’s distinctive methodology uses the power of sports to engage urban youth in a positive, rigorous, and success-driven culture to prepare them for life success. Through our strengths-based approach and a culture grounded in love and belief, BASE student athletes develop the skills and mindsets needed to achieve their full potential. The BASE is a major leader and voice in Greater Boston and nationally to creatively inspire and catalyze public and private resources to help move the needle for urban young people and the communities in which they live.  Please visit www.thebase.org to learn more.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the President & CEO in a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a collaborative leader both internally and externally, directly managing fund development staff and volunteers, and working closely with the Board and relevant Committees, to achieve the organization’s financial goals.  The CDO will be a results-driven and experienced leader in the field of development with a proven history of success, including leading successful comprehensive campaigns.  The CDO will also maintain a portfolio of major individual, foundation, and corporate donors. The ideal candidate will have both fundraising and managerial expertise, and the ability to value and operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The CDO will work closely with the President & CEO, the Senior Leadership Team, Board members, and program staff to effectively translate The BASE methodology, vision, and mission into major partnerships, events, and initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Collaborative Leadership & Planning

• Design and implement The BASE’s overall multi-million-dollar fundraising strategy, ensuring growth and sustainability.
• Partner with the CEO, Board, and Senior Leadership Team to translate The BASE’s mission and vision into compelling development opportunities, campaigns, and partnerships.
• Support the development of a long-term public funding strategy to diversify revenue sources and strengthen financial resilience.

Fundraising & Relationship Management

• Raise a minimum of $3 million annually for general operating support, with additional fundraising for special projects and capital campaigns.
• Build and steward deep, multi-faceted relationships with individual major donors, corporations, foundations, and government funders.
• Engage and equip Board members and committees to actively participate in fundraising through personal giving, events, and network connections.
• Maintain a personal portfolio of high-level donors and prospects, ensuring exceptional cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Team Management & Operations

• Lead and manage the fund development team with clarity, accountability, and a strong commitment to The BASE’s culture of excellence.
• Supervise grant writing efforts and collaborate with the Chief Program Officer to ensure funded initiatives have measurable goals and outcomes.
• Manage the stewardship calendar, reporting processes, and reconciliation with accounting to ensure accuracy and transparency.
• Provide clear fundraising reports to leadership and the Board.
• Pitch in as needed across events and initiatives, modeling The BASE’s culture of teamwork and flexibility.

Communications & Brand Advancement

• Ensure The BASE’s mission, intended impact, and brand are fully integrated across all development efforts.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to leverage media, storytelling, and events to advance fundraising and elevate The BASE’s local and national profile.
• Serve as a visible ambassador and spokesperson for The BASE at events, meetings, and in the broader community.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience (at least 7–10 years) successfully designing and leading comprehensive fundraising programs.
• Proven success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations; experience raising significant annual revenue (ideally $3M+) is highly desirable, though demonstrated ability to grow resources at scale are also valued.
• Knowledge of and direct experience with Greater Boston philanthropic networks preferred; national experience and transferable networks are also valued.
• Background in youth development, sports/athletics, education, or related fields is a plus.

Skills & Attributes

• Visionary strategist with the ability to design and implement multi-year, multi-faceted fundraising campaigns.
• Exceptional relationship builder who can inspire confidence among donors, Board members, partners, and colleagues.
• Strong people manager who fosters accountability, collaboration, and professional growth within a development team.
• Skilled communicator (written, verbal, and public speaking) with the ability to translate mission and impact into compelling cases for support.
• Entrepreneurial, action-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization.
• Deep personal commitment to equity, social justice, and youth empowerment.
• The ideal candidate will be a team player who is bold, passionate, and shares the organization's deep-rooted drive to succeed.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Interested candidates can submit materials via the link at the top right of this page.

This search is being conducted in partnership with TSNE. All submissions receive an acknowledgment and are confidential within the search committee and TSNE. Electronic submissions sent through the above link are preferred.

Candidates should include a resume that displays their skills and experiences, as well as a cover letter describing their interest and how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of The BASE. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early; the position will remain open, and applications accepted until the right candidate is identified. Questions may be directed to TSNE Search Consultant, Brian Gallagher.

The Chief Development Officer position is based in Roxbury, MA and requires regular presence in the office, along with local travel for meetings and events.  The role is a full-time exempt position.   The BASE offers a comprehensive benefits package, and salary is commensurate with experience, in the approximate range of $130,000-$145,000.

The BASE provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national origin, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, or place of residence, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

In addition, The BASE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which The BASE has programming. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. The policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination extends to the organization’s employment practices, its Boards of Directors, Committees, and volunteers.