Background

Israel Friends was created in the immediate aftermath of October 7 to meet urgent needs on the ground in Israel. Founded by leading entrepreneurs and philanthropists under the umbrella of the Worldwide Friends Foundation, Israel Friends advances innovation, defense technology, and mental health initiatives that protect and save Israeli lives.

In its first two years, Israel Friends has mobilized major philanthropic investment in life-saving aid and innovation projects — from drones, armored vehicle defenses, and protective equipment for soldiers to groundbreaking programs that are reshaping access to care and strengthening national resilience. Working closely with the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, and major Israeli healthcare providers, Israel Friends has built rapid-response systems that deliver immediate, measurable impact where it matters most.

As Israel continues to face complex security and societal challenges, Israel Friends is expanding from emergency response to long-term recovery and resilience. A leading example of this is Healthy Mind, a national telepsychiatry platform developed in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Health and Resilience Centers. Healthy Mind provides rapid, trauma-informed psychiatric care to thousands of Israelis, cutting wait times from months to days. Through this initiative, Israel Friends is helping rebuild Israel’s mental health infrastructure and ensure that every person affected by trauma has access to timely, high-quality care.

Together with its partners, Israel Friends is building the systems and capacity to move Israel from crisis response to long-term resilience.

Learn more at www.israelfriends.ca and in the Israel Friends Impact Report

Position

Israel Friends seeks an inaugural Chief Development Officer (CDO). Reporting to the CEO, the CDO will serve as the organization’s senior fundraising executive and the architect of a scalable, high-performing development function. A builder and closer, the CDO will design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to significantly grow annual revenue while establishing the systems, processes, and culture to sustain long-term success. Partnering closely with the CEO and board, the CDO will expand Israel Friends’ reach, deepen donor engagement, and position the organization for its next stage of growth.

This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of Israel Friends and strengthen its vital support for Israel’s resilience and recovery. With leadership deeply committed to expanding and diversifying revenue, the CDO will help drive an organization whose mission and impact have never been more essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an ambitious fundraising plan that expands Israel Friends’ base of major donor and foundation support.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward six- and seven-figure donors; engage and coach the CEO and founders in high-level donor relationships.
• Design and execute donor engagement initiatives, including curated events, donor missions, and leadership development programs.
• Manage and mentor a small, growing development team (currently one staff member and consultant), fostering clear goals, accountability, and collaboration.
• Partner with marketing and program staff to craft compelling cases for support and ensure meaningful, timely donor communication and recognition.
• Strengthen the Board and advisory committee’s role as ambassadors for Israel Friends, providing training and guidance to increase their engagement in fundraising efforts and maintaining open communication on key initiatives.
• Strengthen systems, data tracking, and CRM use to improve forecasting, reporting, and donor management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in development, including major gifts, campaign leadership, and institutional fundraising.
• A self-starter who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Deep connection to Israel and commitment to Israel Friends’ mission.
• Demonstrated success working with both individual philanthropists and foundations.
• Proven ability to close six- and seven-figure gifts; ability to mentor others to do the same.
• Experience building or scaling a development function in a fast-growing organization.
• Strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to craft a compelling case for support and tailor it to diverse audiences.
• Strong management and mentorship skills; ability to build and inspire a high-performing team.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong public speaking skills for public events and parlor meetings.
• Politically savvy and able to work effectively across different viewpoints and communities.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally, and to Israel as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

Israel Friends offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation package for this role. The salary range for this position is $180,000–$210,000. The organization also offers an exciting opportunity for a substantial performance-based bonus tied to meaningful results and organizational growth. 

Tani Weissman, Partner

tweissman@drgtalent.com

Nina Cogan, Talent Consultant

ncogan@drgtalent.com