About West End House (WEH)
West End House (WEH) is a premier youth organization with an inspiring mission that shapes every aspect of its work. Through high-impact programs, WEH supports young people in achieving academic success, exploring the arts, developing leadership and career readiness skills, and adopting healthy lifestyles. The organization is deeply committed to advancing racial equity across its youth programs, family and community engagement, and board and leadership structures.
Founded more than 120 years ago, West End House began when a group of immigrant boys in Boston’s West End neighborhood formed a club focused on personal growth and mutual support. Since its founding in 1906, the organization has played a significant role in strengthening communities through responsive programming and meaningful engagement, serving one of the most ethnically diverse youth populations in the city of Boston.
Following urban renewal that displaced it’s original neighborhood, West End House demonstrated remarkable resilience relocating to Allston and reopening in 1971. In 1976, the organization deepened its commitment to inclusion by becoming one of the first Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation to welcome girls as full members.
Over the years, several successful capital campaigns have enabled West End House to grow in response to community needs. A major milestone came in 2002 with the renovation and expansion of its longstanding Allston facility, strengthening both programs and endowment. Most recently, the Expect More Campaign (completed in 2020) drove transformational growth by increasing financial reserves and expanding and enhancing the facility and programs. Investments included construction of the New Balance Pavilion, integration of arts spaces, expanded teen and career programming areas, a new fitness center, and an upgraded café with a teaching kitchen. The campaign also established the College and Career Pathways program, extending services through college graduation.
West End House remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting quickly to meet urgent community needs. Initiatives included:
- Launching the Food for Families program —an initiative that continues today and has distributed more than two tons of food to families in the community
- Providing citywide PCR testing and vaccinations
- Operating a 10-month, in-person Learning Hub supporting Boston Public Schools students’ academic progress and emotional well-being
In 2022, in response to growing youth mental health needs, West End House added a full-time licensed social worker. This role has strengthened a trauma-informed framework across programming and expanded therapeutic arts initiatives that are gaining regional attention.
Learn more about West End House at https://westendhouse.org.
The Opportunity
West End House stands at one of the most exciting moments in its 120-year history. The organization is preparing to launch Future Ready 125, a $50 million comprehensive campaign timed to its 125th anniversary in 2031 — a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform facilities, strengthen programs, and build long-term financial resilience. With a transformational lead gift already secured, a proven track record from its prior $23.5 million Expect More campaign, and a deeply engaged board and CEO committed to this vision, the conditions for campaign success are unusually strong. For a seasoned fundraising leader who wants to do the most meaningful work of their career, this is that opportunity.
West End House seeks a dynamic, strategic fundraising leader who is passionate about youth development and eager to leverage their experience to expand and strengthen the organization’s donor base and revenue portfolio. Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer (“CDO”) will lead efforts to build and sustain a robust pipeline of philanthropic support while fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
The CDO will oversee all development functions, including major gifts, grants, communications, stewardship, events, campaign strategy, and donor data systems, ensuring these efforts operate as a coordinated and high-performing department. Success in this role requires the ability to lead a multifaceted development operation and bring clarity, coordination, and momentum to a team responsible for multiple fundraising strategies. While strong external engagement is essential, the role equally requires internal leadership — building effective systems, managing team performance, and ensuring the development function operates with clarity, accountability, and strong execution. The successful candidate will thrive in a multifaceted and highly collaborative environment that values execution, accountability, and solutions-oriented thinking.
The CDO will strengthen the fundraising infrastructure, including continued implementation of an effective donor data management system and oversight of the organization’s signature annual fundraising event. They will lead, mentor, and manage a five-member development team, setting clear priorities, supporting professional growth, and ensuring strong coordination across fundraising, communications, and stewardship functions. In collaboration with the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), the CDO will contribute to organizational strategy as well as budgeting related to fundraising and long-term financial sustainability.
West End House is a youth-centered, community-based organization where leadership happens through strong, in-person relationships. The Chief Development Officer should bring experience working in a primarily in-person environment and a leadership style that values engagement in the life of the organization. A regular presence at West End House is essential to building relationships with staff and young people, staying connected to programs, and creating authentic opportunities for donors to experience the mission firsthand. The ideal candidate will be energized by a vibrant, youth-centered environment and by being part of a highly collaborative team.
Key responsibilities for the Chief Development Officer include:
Fundraising and Development
- Partner with the CEO to establish fundraising goals, strategies, and tactics aligned with West End House’s strategic vision
- Identify, cultivate, and steward donor relationships to achieve annual fundraising objectives
- Maintain and strengthen a comprehensive donor database to support sustainable pipeline development
- Advance the organization’s emerging comprehensive campaign while expanding individual and major donor support
- Oversee marketing and communications efforts that highlight the impact of WEH programs and inspire philanthropic investment
- Supervise grant development and collaborate with the CPO to track and report on program outcomes for funders
- Develop pathways that convert volunteer engagement into philanthropic support
- Lead planning and execution of the organization’s annual fundraising event
Staff Management and Development
- Mentor and supervise all members of the development team
- Track and report performance metrics for the development department
- Manage the development department budget in alignment with organizational fundraising goals
- Foster ongoing professional development and build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization
Board and Senior Leadership Engagement
- Equip and support Board members in fulfilling their fundraising responsibilities
- Lead Board/Staff committees related to fundraising, including capital campaigns, annual campaigns, major gifts, and events
- Stay current on fundraising trends and best practices through engagement with national peers and professional networks
Candidate Profile
West End House recognizes that a range of lived and professional experiences can prepare candidates for success in this role. While no candidate will possess every qualification listed, ideal candidates will demonstrate many of the following qualities.
Passion for the Mission
The CDO will embody the values and mission of West End House, inspiring and motivating others through both words and actions. Thriving in an innovative and collaborative environment alongside colleagues who are deeply passionate about their work, this leader will bring a strong work ethic, emotional intelligence, a sense of humor, and a demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. Grounded in unquestioned integrity and ethics, the CDO will be someone who can be trusted without reservation. Equally important, this leader will genuinely enjoy engaging with young people and being immersed in the mission, as youth are physically present and central to the culture at West End House. The successful candidate will maintain a regular in-person/in community presence and ensure that donors experience the mission firsthand, often through in-person visits that take place in the late afternoon and early evening (typically between 4:30–6:30 PM).
Executive Partnership & Professional Maturity
The CDO will serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, CPO and COO, demonstrating executive-level maturity, humility, and personal awareness. This leader will be comfortable asking thoughtful questions and acknowledging learning curves, welcoming feedback, and applying it constructively. They will operate without ego or territorial behavior and will be at ease with board visibility, consultant involvement, and CEO oversight. A partnership-oriented mindset — grounded in collaboration is essential. West End House values leaders who are self-aware, transparent, and youth-first in their decision-making. The ideal CDO will model authenticity, courage, accountability, and collaboration at the highest levels of leadership.
Strategic Leadership & Management Acumen Through Change
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be an outward-facing and results-oriented leader with strong emotional intelligence. Innovative, energetic, and highly relational, the CDO will thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and collaborate closely across departments to advance organizational goals. Approachable and transparent, they will strengthen the team’s culture of collaboration and accountability while serving as a mission-driven leader who brings dedication, strong work ethic, and grace in their engagement with staff, donors, and community partners.
Expertise in Development & Fundraising
The CDO will be an experienced development leader with a demonstrated track record of success, including contributing to comprehensive campaigns. This individual will bring broad and deep knowledge of philanthropy, with proven success securing major gifts and leading strong cultivation and stewardship strategies. The CDO will expand and strengthen the organization’s fundraising pipeline, overseeing donor prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long-term relationship management. Through exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, this leader will serve as a trusted partner to internal and external constituents.
Relationship Builder & Ambassador
The Chief Development Officer will be an ambassador for West End House – a voice for the organization in partnership with the CEO. Utilizing an intuitive, relational approach, this leader will build and maintain internal and external relationships to allow for effective partnerships that help advance strategic and fundraising goals. This leader will build and maintain key relationships with constituent groups and monitor the delivery of donor benefits, striving for long-term donor relationships and ensuring that effective donor cultivation, stewardship, and upgrade processes are in place. The CDO will attend Board of Directors and committee meetings, as well as WEH events, dinners, and key gatherings, to strengthen relationships with constituents and support donors in a facilitative role as needed.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
- 10+ years’ experience (5+ in a senior leadership role) managing, running, and participating in development programs and/or fundraising campaigns
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, youth services, or a related discipline strongly encouraged
- Demonstrated success in planning, organizing and leading multiple successful fundraising campaigns, preferably in the non-profit space
- Exceptional communication skills with an ability to build relationships with a broad set of constituents, including high net worth individuals and major corporations
- Substantial knowledge of industry standards and best practices in the domains of development strategy, social media campaigning, and public relations
- Strong working knowledge of tracking metrics, moves management, and industry best practices
- Volunteer management and Board management experience is a strong plus
- Willingness to travel
This is a special opportunity for a high-impact fundraising leader of great integrity who is genuinely passionate about WEH’s mission. The successful Chief Development Officer will be a strategic leader who is a consummate optimist, known for confidently inspiring others to think big, act boldly, and achieve exceptional results.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $175,000–$205,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
West End House offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Maureen Alphonse-Charles and Dina Tyler. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected] All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
West End House is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.