Chief Growth Officer

Forum for Youth Investment
Position Announcement

Chief Growth Officer

Anticipated Start Date: January 19, 2025

Founded in 1998, The Forum for Youth Investment is a trusted national nonprofit committed to improving outcomes for youth (ages 5–24) in education, work, and life. The Forum is a national leader in youth development policy and practice, known for turning research into action. We help leaders build systems that center youth voice, advance equity, and support continuous quality improvement. The people at the Forum are our heartbeat and our greatest resource. We are passionately rallied around our mission to ensure all young people have what they need to thrive through stronger programs, informed processes, and systems that work better for everyone. Join our stellar team, leading the charge to deepen our impact and expand our service. The Forum champions programs and federal and state policies that treat young people as experts in their own lives, amplifying their voices and honoring their experiences. At the same time, the Forum supports the adults and organizations who work with youth by offering practical tools, training, coaching, and research to help them improve how they show up for young people. Also, because real change takes collaboration, we bring leaders together — from schools to nonprofits to government — to share ideas, solve problems, inform policy, and build better systems that truly support youth and the people who care about them. For more information, visit

About the Chief Growth Officer

The Forum is at a pivotal moment — balancing its legacy of thought leadership with a need to diversify and grow its revenue to sustain, expand, and scale its impact. The Forum is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief Growth Officer (CGO) to drive our growth strategy across fundraising, earned revenue, marketing, and partnerships. This role integrates development, communications, and business development into one growth engine — ensuring the Forum expands its influence, reach, and resources to meet ambitious goals for impact. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CGO serves on the executive team. This entrepreneurial leader will ensure we have the resources necessary to execute our work, with the brand visibility to ensure growth is sustainable and aligned with the Forum’s mission, priorities, and strategic plan.

Ideal Candidate

• Insatiable passion for youth development, possess strong management skills, and excel at relationship management with all stakeholders.
• Deeply understands the Forum’s organizational priorities and how to build an innovative earned revenue model.
• Leverages new tools and resources to market, while marshalling the resources and external support necessary to help grow and scale our work.
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence and is committed to prioritizing people, building strong relationships, and establishing an environment of collaboration and learning.
• Leverages strong relationship‑building skills to directly impact staff and indirectly influence departments across the organization to motivate stakeholders and produce results.
• Embodies a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in daily work and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Team Management and Leadership
  • Lead the newly formed Growth team and provide overall fundraising, communications and marketing, and public policy support for the organization.
  • Coach department staff members to meet their goals and execute to results.
  • Manage annual department goals and budget.
  • Oversee and manage 4-6 fundraising, communications, and business development staff, fostering a culture of accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure that the department’s staff have the skills, tools, and professional development they need to deliver on ambitious impact goals.
• Revenue Growth and Fundraising
  • Lead a comprehensive revenue strategy encompassing philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and government grants.
  • Cultivate and steward major donors, institutional funders, and national partners.
  • Develop, manage, and evaluate multiple strategies to raise funds from a broad base of individuals, institutions, corporations, foundations, and government entities across the youth development sector.
  • Leverage the CEO, board members, staff, and key volunteers to expand the Forum’s fundraising program, performance, and donor base.
  • Work in tandem with the CEO to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift donors and sponsors in support of annual operating, capital, and special projects for the Forum.
  • In collaboration with the CEO, prepare and deliver regular updates, reports, and presentations to the Board of Directors on fundraising performance, growth strategies, and revenue outcomes.
• Earned Revenue and Fee-for-Service
  • Develop pricing and growth strategies that balance financial sustainability with equitable access for high-need communities.
  • Identify new opportunities for new products, services, and partnerships that align with the Forum’s expertise and mission.
  • Establish demand for our new, innovative fee‑for‑service offerings, including the Forum’s Weikart Center tools, training, and coaching.
  • Evaluate pricing models for trainings, licensing agreements, and field consultants to ensure profitability and consistency.
  • Work with the Chief Impact Officer to redesign the field consultant model to ensure that faculty are providing consistent, high‑quality training that brings revenue to the Forum.
• Marketing, Branding, and Communications
  • Oversee brand strategy and marketing to elevate the Forum’s visibility as a national leader in youth development.
  • Ensure that messaging reflects the Forum’s values: youth‑centered, equity driven, collaborative, and forward‑thinking.
  • Implement a communication plan that drives strong engagement with funders, clients, policymakers, practitioners, and youth.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO regarding opportunities to enhance the Forum’s thought leadership (e.g., panels, speaking engagements, etc.).
  • Oversee the alignment of all communications, including social media, media relations, and marketing efforts to present a unified, compelling message to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Forge cross‑sector partnerships with corporations, philanthropy, national nonprofits, and policymakers to expand the Forum’s reach.
  • Represent the Forum at national convenings, panels, and events, positioning the organization as a thought leader.
  • Work with youth leaders and community partners to ensure growth strategies authentically reflect youth voice and equity commitments.
  • Cultivate high‑value relationships with philanthropic partners, corporate sponsors, government agencies, advocacy coalitions, and peer organizations.
  • Identify and pursue strategic alliances that expand the Forum’s reach and generate new funding opportunities.

Leadership Profile

• Mission‑Driven Leader: Deep commitment to youth development, equity, and systemic change.
• Fundraising & Business Development Expertise: Proven track record of securing major gifts, philanthropic partnerships, and multi‑year grants/contracts.
• Marketing & Communications Savvy: Experience elevating brand visibility and building demand for services.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to spot opportunities, innovate, and scale programs or services sustainably.
• Collaborative Partner: Skilled at working across teams, sectors, and communities; values co‑creation and shared ownership.
• Equity‑Centered: Ensures growth strategies prioritize access, inclusion, and outcomes for young people of color and other historically marginalized groups.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs, strategic partnerships, business development, or fundraising.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant funding and building strategic alliances at the national level.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit funding landscapes, including foundations, corporations, and government.
• Experience leading through organizational change, preferably in a mission‑driven environment.
• Strong knowledge of branding, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Proven ability to work at the intersection of programs, policy, and partnerships.
• Bonus points if you have: a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience or a master’s degree in public policy, nonprofit management, social services, education, or a related field.

Team Culture

Similar to the organization as a whole, the Growth team is deeply committed to our mission. We seek leaders who bring passion for improving the lives of young people, a strong drive for measurable results, and a collaborative approach to achieving ambitious goals.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $175,000-$190,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and competitive within the nonprofit sector. This role is a full‑time remote position, with the option to work from one of the Forum’s workstations in our Washington, DC office. Occasional travel will be required for meetings, conferences, and events.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and all federal holidays observed
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Forum for Youth Investment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable law.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter. Applications will be received from November 10 through November 24 by 5:00 p.m. EST. If your application is selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly.