The Rise of the Chief Advancement Officer
- Rhonda Chaplin
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
In early 2023, I sat across from the CEO of a growing nonprofit. Their mission was solid, their team was passionate, but they were stuck in a cycle of reactive fundraising, disconnected operations, and teams that weren't aligned around shared strategic priorities.
That's when I introduced a role that didn't yet exist on their org chart: a Chief Advancement Officer.
As organizations pursue both mission and margin, this new executive role is emerging, not as a trend, but as a necessity. Meet the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO): a role that fuses strategy, visibility, funding, and future-readiness into one powerful position.
While titles like CEO, CFO, and COO have long anchored executive teams, the CAO is the strategic voice that ensures mission, messaging, and momentum are always aligned. This role is no longer just “nice to have”, it’s fast becoming indispensable for any mid-to-large organization navigating complexity, growth, or transformation.
What Makes the CAO Different?
The Chief Advancement Officer is a strategic integrator.
At the intersection of development, marketing, communications, and organizational growth, the CAO leads the charge to:
Increase public awareness through unified brand and messaging efforts,
Secure expanded funding from both public and private sources,
Advance the mission through strategic initiatives and cross-functional collaboration.
This role is not simply about raising money, it’s about building movement, momentum, and mission clarity.
The CAO’s Core Responsibilities
Whether in a nonprofit, healthcare system, academic institution, or values-driven enterprise, the CAO is charged with:
Leading a High-Impact Team
Developing a Comprehensive Advancement Strategy
Aligning Public & Private Funding Strategies
Shaping and Executing Vision
Navigating Complexity with Integrity
Why Organizations Can’t Afford to Go Without One
When your organization is entering a new season of growth, expansion, rebranding, or post-crisis stabilization, the CAO becomes the architect of sustainable advancement.
Without this role:
Strategic goals risk being underfunded or misunderstood.
Communications stay reactive instead of proactive.
Stakeholder relationships remain siloed.
But with a Strong CAO:
The brand speaks clearly and consistently.
Funding becomes diversified and stable.
Teams and leadership align around shared outcomes.
What to Look for in a CAO
The most successful CAOs are not just fundraisers, HR leaders or communicators, they are advancement strategists with executive influence. They are:
Vision-driven and team-oriented
Future-focused and data-informed
Diplomatic and trustworthy at every level
Eager to lead, not just manage
They know how to translate mission into momentum and vision into sustainable impact.
The Future Is Advancing
The Chief Advancement Officer isn’t a temporary fix, it’s a foundational role for organizations serious about mission, visibility, and long-term growth.
If your executive team doesn’t yet include a CAO or equivalent strategic function, the time to assess and evolve is now. Because growth without advancement isn’t sustainable, and impact without alignment doesn’t last.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
Since introducing the CAO role to that nonprofit in 2023, the transformation has been undeniable. With a clear advancement strategy, aligned teams, and a unified voice across development, communications, and operations, they've moved from reactive cycles to intentional growth.
Whether you're exploring what strategic advancement could look like for your organization, or you believe you're built for this kind of leadership, I'd love to connect.
Learn more: www.rhondachaplin.com
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