Chief Advancement Officer

Position: Chief Advancement Officer 

Who we are:  The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization and has been a vibrant and vital institution, serving as an effective, critical bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. PAL operates diverse programs for children as young as 2 years old to young adults. Programs include Head Start, after-school programs and summer day camps for elementary, middle and high school youth, and summer Playstreets. PAL also runs evening teen centers and college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. Staying true to PAL’s roots, a cornerstone of our youth development strategy includes offering competitive and recreational sports for children of all ages.  At PAL, we’re devoted to empowering communities and building the best places to work, and that goes for our own teams too. 

Position Summary: 

The Police Athletic League of New York City (PAL) seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead all fundraising, marketing, communications, and alumni engagement efforts. As a key member of PAL’s Executive Leadership Team, the CAO is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy that ensures the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and strengthens its visibility and impact across New York City and beyond. 

The CAO partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors to translate PAL’s institutional priorities into meaningful philanthropic support. This leader will oversee all advancement functions, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation and government funding, special events, marketing, communications, and alumni engagement. 

This role requires a proven leader who can cultivate transformational relationships, inspire teams, and position PAL for its next century of growth while advancing its mission to serve New York City’s young people. 

The Chief Advancement Officer Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

 Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Resource Development 

• Lead the design and execution of PAL’s comprehensive fundraising strategy across individual, corporate, foundation, and government sources 
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and institutional partners, with a focus on securing six- and seven-figure commitments 
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective donors and partners through proactive identification, engagement, and relationship management 
• Oversee all grant development, reporting, and compliance processes 
• Partner with the CEO and Board leadership on capital campaigns, endowment development, and long-term philanthropic initiatives 
• Strengthen recurring giving, planned giving, and donor stewardship programs to support sustainable growth 

Board and Executive Engagement 

• Serve as staff lead to the Board Development Committee and partner with Board members to advance PAL’s philanthropic priorities 
• Support the CEO and Board in cultivating new relationships and expanding PAL’s network of supporters and ambassadors 
• Provide regular updates and performance reporting on fundraising progress and advancement initiatives 
• Equip Board members and senior volunteers with tools and strategies to support fundraising and engagement efforts 

Marketing, Communications, and Brand 

• Lead the development and implementation of integrated marketing and communications strategies that elevate PAL’s mission and impact 
• Ensure consistent and compelling storytelling across digital, print, media, and event platforms 
• Oversee production of key organizational materials, including annual reports, campaign materials, and donor communications 
• Serve as a key ambassador and representative of PAL with donors, partners, and external stakeholders 

Events, Campaigns, and Alumni Engagement 

• Oversee PAL’s major fundraising events, including the Superstar Gala, Women of the Year Lunch, Business and Real Estate Luncheons, and other signature events 
• Partner with internal teams and external consultants to maximize engagement, visibility, and revenue from all events and campaigns 
• Develop and lead PAL’s alumni engagement efforts, creating meaningful opportunities for former participants to remain connected to the organization 
• Build programs and initiatives that cultivate alumni as ambassadors, mentors, volunteers, and philanthropic supporters 
• Partner with program and communications teams to elevate alumni stories and strengthen lifelong relationships with PAL 

Team Leadership and Advancement Operations 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing advancement team across fundraising, communications, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship 
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems to support performance and growth 
• Oversee advancement systems, including donor database management and gift processing 
• Manage the advancement budget and ensure efficient and effective use of resources 
• Build systems and infrastructure to support data-driven decision-making and long-term advancement success 

Executive Leadership 

• Serve as a member of PAL’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to institutional alignment and organizational effectiveness 
• Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure advancement efforts reflect PAL’s mission, priorities, and strategic direction 
• Help position PAL for continued growth by strengthening relationships across philanthropic, corporate, civic, and community sectors 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred 
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in advancement, development, or external affairs 
• Demonstrated success securing and managing major gifts, corporate partnerships, and institutional funding 
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and building advancement infrastructure 
• Experience managing major fundraising events and campaigns 
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to engage diverse stakeholders 
• Familiarity with donor database systems such as Raiser’s Edge or similar platforms 
• Knowledge of the New York City philanthropic landscape preferred 
• Passion for PAL’s mission and commitment to serving New York City’s young people 

Location: 34 1/2 East 12th Street New York, NY 10003

Compensation: $225,000-$275,000, Commensurate with experience

Benefits: PAL offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes health insurance, flexible spending account options, an employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, life insurance, retirement savings options, a generous paid time off policy, training and more!  

To Apply: Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their interest and relevant experience. 

At the Police Athletic League, we seek people who are talented, creative and passionate to help create a more inclusive city and better futures for our youth. We’re devoted to empowering communities and building the best places to work, and that goes for our own teams too. 

The Police Athletic League is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected characteristic including, but not limited to, an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy 

Employment with PAL is contingent upon successful completion of all the Agency’s lawful pre-employment checks, which may include a background check.