Chief Advancement Officer

EveryMind

Status: Full-time, exempt employee

Salary: $195,000 to $210,000

Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Deadline: Apply by late October for best consideration. 

About EveryMind

EveryMind is not just a name; it’s a catalyst for change. We believe in the inherent value and potential of every individual, every mind. Since 1957, we have been strengthening communities and empowering individuals by building the foundations of mental health and well-being. In FY25, EveryMind provided direct services to more than 65,000 individuals in Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, and Eastern West Virginia. Driven by our guiding principles of Partnership, Advocacy, Connection, and Creating Access, EveryMind works to ensure that mental wellness is recognized as essential to overall health and that support is available to all.

Our work spans the full continuum of care, from prevention to crisis response:

• Mental Health Literacy – equipping individuals, families, schools, workplaces, community organizations, and government leaders with the tools to act early, reduce stigma, and connect people to care. 
• Care Management – walking alongside veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and students in local schools to address challenges before they escalate.
• Clinical Care and Therapy – providing treatment and recovery support that not only helps people heal and build resilience, but also strengthens and informs the other services across the continuum.
• 24/7 Call, Text, and Chat – offering both supportive listening and life-saving crisis intervention.

Together, these services create a connected system of support. Combined with our advocacy and community partnerships, they form an ecosystem that ensures fewer people fall through the cracks — and more people, families, and communities thrive.

Learn more by visiting www.everymind.org. 

Position Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) at EveryMind is a senior leader responsible for driving the organization’s fundraising, marketing, and advocacy strategies to strengthen and expand access to mental health services. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive team, the CAO leads efforts to diversify EveryMind’s $20M revenue base, sustain government contracts, and build new philanthropic, corporate, and community partnerships. In FY2025, revenue was largely derived from government (88%) and philanthropic giving (6%), with earned revenue making up the balance.  

As a trusted advisor to the CEO, the CAO translates organizational strategy into actionable advancement initiatives that grow resources, elevate EveryMind’s visibility, and influence public policy. This includes overseeing fundraising campaigns, brand and marketing efforts, and advocacy priorities that position EveryMind as a leading voice on mental health. The CAO also partners closely with the Board’s Development and Advocacy Committees to mobilize networks and strengthen community support.

The CAO has three direct reports and oversees a team of 10, including supervising Directors of Development, Marketing, and Advocacy. With a leadership style that fosters a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team culture and invests in staff growth, the CAO inspires both internal teams and external stakeholders to advance EveryMind’s mission and secure its long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• ​​Serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, collaborating with the CEO, Chief Program Officer, and Chief Operating Officer to set organizational strategy and implement strategic plan, goals, and priorities.
• Advise the CEO and Board on advancement opportunities, revenue trends, and policy issues impacting sustainability. 
• Liaise with Board Advocacy & Development Committees. Attends all Board and Executive Committee meetings. 
• Effectively communicate departmental priorities and promote organizational learning across teams.
• Provide mentorship and support to direct reports, fostering transparency, equity, accountability, and alignment across development, marketing, and advocacy.
• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures within development, marketing, and advocacy teams.

Departmental Leadership: Development

• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive revenue strategy to diversify funding sources, including foundations, corporations, major donors, government agencies, and events.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and philanthropic partners, partnering with the CEO, Board, and Director of Development, as needed.
• Oversee grants strategy and ensure strong prospecting, proposal development, reporting, and stewardship.
• Advocate for EveryMind’s work in philanthropic circles.
• Ensure infrastructure and systems support sustainable, scalable fundraising growth.

Departmental Leadership: Strategic Marketing and Partnerships

• Establish marketing and communications goals aligned with strategic objectives.
• Oversee strategic communications to enhance visibility, strengthen brand identity, and support fundraising and advocacy goals.
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging that reflects mission and impact.
• Guide storytelling and digital strategies to engage donors, policymakers, and the public.
• Serve as a spokesperson with media, funders, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
• Develop crisis communications plans, as needed.
• Monitor media coverage and leverage opportunities to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Departmental Leadership: Advocacy

• Oversee the organization’s advocacy agenda to strengthen mental health services and secure public support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, government agency leaders, and coalition partners.
• Support retention of government contracts through proactive engagement and advocacy.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory issues affecting mental health policy and funding, and position the organization as a trusted thought leader.
• Advocate to external governmental partners for policy positions aligned with organizational goals.
• Support development and implementation of strategies to advance grassroots policy initiatives and communicate policy positions related to EveryMind’s constituents; provides assistance to members in their grassroots advocacy efforts.  

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in advancement or external relations, including specific experience in fundraising. 
• Demonstrated success as a front-line fundraiser; proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts and grants.
• Knowledge of relevant philanthropic communities and trends in charitable giving.
• Supervisory experience and record of building managerial capacity among direct reports and other team members. Demonstrated ability to recruit, motivate, and lead a high-performing team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively interact with a variety of stakeholders, including the CEO, board members, donors, media, elected officials, volunteers, internal peers, and staff.
• Superior communications and storytelling skills, with the ability to coach and train staff to speak and write using compelling language. 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines of multiple multi-faceted projects. 
• Strong financial acumen; demonstrated experience with budgeting and forecasting.
• High degree of self-motivation, personal discipline, and integrity. Sound judgment and ability to exercise discretion when dealing with confidential information.
• Commitment to ensuring that organizational values, especially those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, are reflected in all development programs and operations.
• Demonstrated success in guiding process improvements and change management strategies. A strong orientation toward developing innovative solutions and systems, standard operating procedures, and management processes.  
• A high level of collaboration, integrity, cultural sensitivity, and interpersonal skills; ability to effectively engage and influence key stakeholders and decision-makers.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this position is $195,000 to $210,000 with a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, matched retirement savings, and generous paid time off. 

Working Location

This position has a hybrid work schedule, and the CAO regularly attends events and meetings around the region, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends. EveryMind’s headquarters is in Rockville, MD.

Application Process

EveryMind has retained the services of Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving small nonprofits. Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter that describes their interest in and qualifications for this role. Direct confidential inquiries to Ana Chapa or Kate Dykgraaf at EveryMind@good-insight.org. Upload application materials at good-insight.org/careers. 

For best consideration, apply by late October. Qualified applicants will be contacted on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

EveryMind provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability.