CFT’s Vision

To build thriving communities for all

CFT’s Mission

To improve the lives of all people in our community by investing in their health, wealth, living and learning.  We accomplish this by growing community giving, expanding community impact, and advancing community equity.

We work to meet our mission by:

• Providing giving opportunities through charitable and legacy living, planning, and consulting for individuals, families, nonprofits, and businesses
• Grantmaking and engaging our community around priority issues
• Increasing academic achievement and educational equity for all students in Texas, especially African American, Latino, and economically disadvantaged
• Developing and sharing knowledge and expertise about community needs and resources

CFT’s Values

Enhancing the experience and impact of giving through:

• Exemplary service;
• Wise stewardship of resources; and as a
• Trusted partner for community knowledge and collaboration.

Communities Foundation of Texas’ main focus is to enhance the experience and impact of giving for individuals, families, companies, foundations and nonprofits by offering charitable tools like donor-advised funds, scholarships, North Texas Giving Day and more. CFT’s vision is to build thriving communities for all through three focus areas 1) growing community giving, 2) expanding community impact, and 4) advancing community equity. CFT programs include Educate Texas, CFT for Business,  Success Network, the W. W. Caruth, Jr. Fund and other key initiatives. Since 1953, CFT has granted more than $2 billion to support nonprofits in our region, across the nation and the world. Learn more at www.CFTexas.org and through this recent overview video.

Position Summary

The Chief Relationship Officer (CRO) is responsible for carrying out the mission of the foundation through its external relationships with donors, prospective donors, professional advisors, and the general public.  The CRO will lead, manage and develop a high-performing team to accomplish the objectives of the Relationships department with the highest quality outcomes.  The department includes CFT’s Donor Relations (fundraising), Donor Services (stewardship), CFT for Business, and Collin County staff members.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies and plans for the growth of community giving through donor relationships, particularly as evidenced by increasing gifts, opening new funds, and confirming planned giving commitments to the foundation.  Special emphasis will be placed on engaging high net worth individuals and families, while also diversifying CFT’s existing base of support by engaging a younger generation of donors, donors of color, and donors in geographic locations where CFT is focused on building its presence, including, but not limited to Collin County.
• Lead the creation of strategy and processes for effectively understanding donor interests and meeting donor needs, including legacy planning and the support of families via multi-generational giving opportunities.
• Collaborate across the foundation to provide interested donors with education about current and emerging community needs and funding opportunities, as well as specific opportunities aligned with their individual charitable interests.
• Collaborate with the NTGD team to leverage the Giving Day platform as a meaningful tool for: helping donors explore nonprofits in their areas of interest; for engaging prospective CFT fund holders; and as a platform for employee giving campaigns in conjunction with CFT for Business.
• Support the development and implementation of strategies to cultivate relationships with companies of all sizes in partnership with the CFT for Business (CFT4B) team.
• Partner with the Marketing/Communications team to oversee communication strategy and associated branding to existing and prospective CFT donors, business clients and professional advisors.
• In conjunction with Data Management staff, enhance CFT’s use of its new CRM data system (Salesforce), including the organization of data about current and prospective donors, the generation of reports to track progress, and the support for performance metrics to guide staff accountability and define success.
• Represent the foundation externally with donors, nonprofit organizations and the community.
• Serve as a member of the Foundation’s Operating Committee comprised of senior leaders across the foundation and promote alignment of foundation-wide goals and objectives.

Qualifications / Skills / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in business or a related field is preferred.
• At least ten years of professional relationship management in a goal-oriented setting which required successfully closing solicitations; nonprofit fund development experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven history of enthusiastically energizing and leading others to accomplish organizational and departmental goals.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of charitable giving tools and vehicles, the broader philanthropic sector, charitable motivators, and financial relationships in the context of working with high-net worth individuals
• Advanced interpersonal skills (listening, verbal, written, presentation, meetings) for working across and outside of the organization.
• Advanced relationship building skills with current and prospective philanthropists and their professional advisors.
• Demonstrated highest levels of credibility and integrity.
• Experience using data management software for business growth and development, Salesforce experience, preferred.
• Experience with compliance issues related to community foundations and nonprofit grantmaking a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel moderately to accomplish objectives.

• Effectively model and demonstrate CFT’s core competencies which include Collaboration, Impact and Problem Solving, Integrity and Accountability, Learning, and Internal and External Service
• Effectively model and demonstrate CFT’s leadership competencies which include Leadership, People Management, Developing and Retaining Talent, and Team Building

Disclaimer:  The above sections contain representative examples of job duties that might be performed by employees assigned to this classification. CFT is a dynamic organization, and the environment can be fluid. Roles and responsibilities may be altered to accommodate changing conditions and objectives as well as to tap into the skills and experience of its employees. Accordingly, employees may be asked to perform duties that are outside the specific work that is listed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees within this class.

Accommodations:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Please apply at the CFT Career Center