The role of Chief Development Officer is stimulating, challenging, and sometimes stressful…
It need not also be lonely.
Welcome to the CDO Network!
The only global, all-sector, on-demand support community designed exclusively by and for Chief Development and Advancement Officers — brought to you by Aspen Leadership Group, a ZRG company— and provided at no cost to sitting CDOs and those in lead fundraising roles.
We are a diverse and international community providing fundraising leaders an opportunity to:
Connect in a confidential space with CDO colleagues regionally, nationally, and globally.
Build mutually supportive relationships with trusted CDO colleagues every day of the year.
Solve problems facing fundraisers and enhance the collective capacity of CDOs worldwide.
“To have a group of peers that we can trust to provide advice and to support us is invaluable.”
Maureen O’Brien
Chief Executive Officer, Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Ready to connect with our community?
When you join The CDO Network, you get instant access to:
Support Guide
How to access the help you need from the community and one-on-one
Events
Host or attend online and in-person gatherings of fellow CDOs & fundraising leaders
Resource Center
Recommended by CDOs for CDOs including consultants & associations
Member Recognition
Encourage and celebrate the accomplishments of CDO colleagues
… plus EXCLUSIVE QUARTERLY FORUMS – hosted and designed for our network by Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy featuring their latest research and insights.
Ready to connect with our community?
Your membership begins with a virtual orientation meeting hosted by a member of our team where you will be guided through every feature of The CDO Network and allowed time to discuss how you can best contribute to and benefit from our community right from the start.
New member orientations are held twice per month — but you don’t have to attend before you can enjoy all the incredible benefits of The CDO Network and its growing community.
Who should join The CDO Network?
The CDO Network is for you if you’re a Chief Development Officer, Vice President of Advancement, Senior Head of Philanthropy, or any of the other countless titles that place you as the top fundraiser in your organization (including Executive Directors serving in these roles).
At The CDO Network, we aim to:
Connect
The CDO Network allows its membersto connect with fellow CDOs who are:
- In your region and globally;
- Facing similar issues as you;
- Recognized thought leaders in the world of philanthropy;
- Available inside peer groups large & small, even privately
- And in the words of one member, “In a cone of silence, among people who understand what you’re going through.”
Encourage
The community shares a deep commitment to strengthen the fundraising profession by:
- Welcoming and helping those who are new to their cities, their roles, and our industry
- Caring for each other and offering support based on our unique professional experience
- Sharing insights & best practices to help maximize the impact of our philanthropy
- Offering guidance so we can all thrive in this critically important & highly demanding role from where you are now through your career
Empower
As a collective, we embrace new possibilities and the communal power we have to offer:
- A means to meet, engage with, learn from, and offer guidance fundraising colleagues, including via our confidential CDO hotline
- A growing library of resources & services to non-profit professionals on a sustained basis,giving the help you need when you need it;
- Awareness & understanding about the CDO role from presidents, CFOs, board members, and others involved in hiring & evaluating CDOs.
The CDO Network is guided by an advisory board of leading current and retired CDOs and powered by Aspen Leadership Group, a ZRG company.
I was very happy to say yes to joining. This creates a forum for us to encourage each other as we do our daily work.”
Jonah Nigh
Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, The Juilliard School
“We need each other to continue to innovate and grow and bring our best selves to the organizations we are privileged to serve.”
Shelley Goode
Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, AARP Foundation
“It’s often a challenging and very lonely role, so I encourage you to be a part of this network of many of your peers, including myself.”
Dino Hernandez
Chief Advancement Officer, Northwestern Michigan College
Chad Gobel
CEO and Founder, Gobel Group
The CDO Network is a critical tool for top fundraisers in their organization who know that having a professional community of CDO peers is essential to their success and the future of fundraising.
Celebrating at The CDO Network’s “Toast to Philanthropy” cocktail gathering in greater NYC.
Contact
Not ready to join The CDO Network?