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Chief Development Officer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

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Chief Development Officer information

See Indiana salary details

$52.8K

$128.9K

$201.7K

How much do chief development officer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief development officer in Indiana is $128,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,700.00 and $152,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Chief Development Officer?

A chief development officer (CDO) is an executive-level employee at a business or non-profit. As a CDO, your job duties include overseeing the financial stability, fundraising, or growth of the organization. You maintain close communication with internal executive officers, such as the CEO and CFO, advising them on strategies to improve donor relations or increase revenue while providing input for yearly budgets and other financial issues. Qualifications for this career include experience working in a senior business development position, such as a Director of In-House Consulting or Corporate Strategy. You should also have experience in improving business revenue and productivity. To succeed in this role, you must have a strong desire to do research, analyze data, and be able to work well alone and with others. A CDO typically has a bachelor’s degree and an MBA as well as strong leadership and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Development Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Development Officer, you need expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a degree in business, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge), analytics tools, and relevant certifications such as CFRE are typically essential. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and persuasive communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for securing resources, building strong partnerships, and advancing the organization’s mission.

What are some typical challenges faced by Chief Development Officers when leading fundraising initiatives?

Chief Development Officers (CDOs) often encounter challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term strategic growth, engaging diverse donor bases, and ensuring coordination between development, marketing, and program teams. They must also adapt to evolving donor expectations and leverage data-driven strategies to maximize fundraising efforts. Collaborative leadership, strong communication, and adaptability are vital for overcoming these hurdles and driving sustained organizational growth.

What does a Chief Development Officer do?

A Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing an organization's development and fundraising strategies. They lead efforts to build relationships with donors, secure funding, and develop strategic partnerships to support the organization's mission and growth. CDOs often manage fundraising teams, work closely with the board of directors, and collaborate with other executives to align development goals with organizational objectives. Their work is crucial in ensuring long-term financial sustainability and expanding the organization's impact.

What is the difference between Chief Development Officer vs Chief Fundraising Officer?

AspectChief Development OfficerChief Fundraising Officer
Primary FocusOverall organizational growth, including development strategies, partnerships, and program expansionFundraising activities, donor relations, and revenue generation
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees in business, nonprofit management, or related fields; experience in development rolesSimilar credentials, often with emphasis on fundraising certifications or experience in donor engagement
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership in nonprofit or corporate settings, overseeing development teamsFundraising departments, donor relations teams, often within nonprofit organizations
Industry UsageCommonly used in nonprofits, educational institutions, and large corporationsPrimarily used in nonprofit organizations and charitable foundations

The Chief Development Officer focuses on broad organizational growth and development strategies, while the Chief Fundraising Officer specializes in fundraising efforts and donor relations. Both roles require similar credentials and often work closely, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Development Officer jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Chief Development Officer jobs in Indiana are:
What job categories do people searching Chief Development Officer jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Development Officer jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Chief Development Officer jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Chief Development Officer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Development Officer jobs in IN? For Chief Development Officer jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Chief Development Officer job openings in Indiana as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $128,902 per year, or $62 per hour.

Chief Development Officer

Catholic Charities of the Diocese

Fort Wayne, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Organization Description: Catholic Charities Fort Wayne-South Bend (“CCFWSB”) is dedicated to serving all those in need as Christ calls us to do. Rooted in the love of Christ, we provide hope and transform the lives of the most vulnerable in our society through social services ranging from food security and financial assistance to refugee resettlement and mental health services.

Catholic Charities seeks a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead the organization’s Development and Marketing department to increase revenue growth and fuel its mission to transform the lives of the most vulnerable in our community.

Position Summary: The CDO is responsible for leading all development and marketing activities within CCFWSB to raise funds for organizational operations and its programs. The position develops, implements, and monitors a comprehensive fundraising plan to expand philanthropic support of the organization – including identifying and strengthening relationships with community stakeholders, actively pursuing, and managing corporate and individual leads, fostering strong donor and sponsor stewardship, and seeking, applying for, and managing grant funding. Additionally, this position plans and manages CCFWSB fundraising events.

The CDO plays a key role in building on previous successes to systematize development strategies including a major-donor club, a planned giving society, and an increased cadence of phone and in-person donor cultivation.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Oversee the implementation of the Annual Development Plan, corresponding Marketing strategies, activities and events in support of implementing the Agency’s Building Roads to Hope Strategic Plan.
  • Directly supervise the Mission Advancement Associate in Development Services, and the Director of Marketing, while building strong rapport with the Leadership Team and all Team Members
  • Effectively partner with the Board Development Committee to achieve key goals and objectives
  • Design and implement Key Performance Metrics for the department
  • Support the CEO, board of directors, program leaders, and other Catholic Charities stakeholders who have key roles in development. Travel throughout the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese for meetings with donors, major prospects, and relevant events and gatherings. Solicit and cultivate a caseload of 50-100 individual donors
  • Facilitate collaboration and a healthy, organization-wide culture of philanthropy amongst all colleagues at Catholic Charities.
    • Oversee Major Gift campaign and Caritas Giving Society
    • Act as primary point of contact for funding, donations, and fundraising event inquiries. Deliver presentations on programs to various community, corporate and church groups as needed.
    • Oversee the Virtuous Donor CRM to record, organize, and maintain a complete and accurate database record of donors and funding received, including a monthly reconciliation with Finance. Creates funding targets for board of directors.
    • Oversee branding, image, and consistency of messaging in all organization materials. Including ensuring that CCFWSB messaging is updated and accurate in all marketing and outreach materials.
    • Coordinate media events and speak on behalf of the organization with media outlets as needed.
    • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. CFRM or advanced degree preferred.
  • Five to eight years of relevant fundraising and nonprofit experience is preferred as well as at least 4 years of management experience
  • Experience soliciting major gifts, managing multiple projects, and meeting deadlines.
  • Superior personal, verbal, written communication, and presentation skills.
  • Familiarity with development management and donor communications strategies throughout the donor pyramid.
  • Ability to build strong personal relationships with Catholic Charities staff and prospective and current donors.
  • Ability to work both independently, and as a strong team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside Catholic Charities
  • High energy and passion for the mission of Catholic Charities is essential
  • Must be able to work flexible hours and travel as needed (e.g., at times before 8:00am and after 5:00pm)

Conditions of Employment:

  • Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record
  • Reliable vehicle with personal vehicle liability insurance
  • Proficient in Internet, word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail applications (prefer Microsoft Office)

Physical Requirements:

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that we identify the general aptitudes and physical requirement needs to perform the job listed above. Individuals who have the position must be able to perform all essential job functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.