Chief Development Officer
Position Summary
The Chief Development Officer leads a professional Development Department and serves as a key Executive Team member and a strategic leader for Filoli Historic House and Garden (Filoli). The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is instrumental in partnering with the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and the leadership team in the creation and implementation of a long-term development strategy that builds a philanthropic program designed to engage a broad audience in ongoing programs as well as ambitious projects.
The CDO leads the development of relationships to build the organization’s visibility and support by designing and implementing a vision for cultivating philanthropic commitments. In direct partnership with the CEO, the CDO serves as Filoli's top fundraiser and provides counsel and influences high-stakes decisions and big-picture elements of the $25 million comprehensive campaign, Cultivating the Future.
Centered around developing and deepening donor and supporter relationships, this position serves as a key senior external representative for the organization and carries a portfolio of leadership donors. The successful candidate for this position is a results-oriented leader whose passion for Filoli’s mission is matched with strong executive leadership, outstanding collaborative interpersonal skills, nimble decision-making in the face of complex challenges, and a proven track record of soliciting and closing significant gifts.
Organization
Just 30 miles south of San Francisco, Filoli Historic House and Garden is a historic home and vibrant landscape situated on the ancestral lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone people in Woodside, California. Encompassing 654 acres along the slopes of California’s coastal range, Filoli was built in 1917 as a private residence and was opened to the public in 1975. Its centerpiece is a 54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival style mansion that was designed by the architect Willis Polk and is considered one of the nation’s finest remaining 20th century country estates. The historic home is situated on 16 acres of formal gardens, over six acres of orchards, and hundreds of acres of natural land with six distinct ecosystems and nature trails. Filoli is on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated California State Historic Landmark. Filoli is also a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Filoli is dedicated to connecting its rich history with a vibrant future through beauty, nature, and shared stories, providing an opportunity for all people to honor nature, value unique experiences, and appreciate beauty in everyday life. Throughout the year, nearly 750,000 visitors explore the historic house, stroll through the meticulously maintained gardens, and enjoy the natural lands. Shopping and dining options are offered daily. Filoli hosts various events throughout the year, including seasonal celebrations and engagement programs, enriching the visitor experience and fostering a deeper connection to the estate's history and natural beauty. Filoli has been a continuously working estate for over 100 years. The original owner, William Bourn, planned Filoli to be self-sustaining, with agricultural fields, livestock, and orchards. Filoli continues today to produce fruit butter, hard cider, honey, dried lavender, and culinary herbs. On the site, there are six distinct ecosystems with 60% of the land covered in secondary growth redwoods. In recent years, Filoli has expanded the network of trails open to the public and is focusing on increasing public engagement with nature and land conservation.
Filoli’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan is centered on deepening community connection, including Filoli's first-ever capital campaign, a $25 million initiative to expand guest access to nature and shape the future of this historic estate.
Filoli has a 29-member board of directors led by Board Chair Sydney Leung, and Kara Newport serves as President & CEO. The Chief Development Officer reports to the CEO and has three direct reports, including the Director of Development Operations, Writer and Grants Coordinator, and Major Gifts Officer. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, Filoli reported a total revenue of $30.2 million, with 10% from contributions and grants, 16% from memberships, 60% from program services, 11% from the retail gift shop, and 3% from other revenue.
