Who We Are

The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center is a non-profit institution that provides services for the LGBTQ+ community in Westchester County, NY, and the Lower Hudson Valley Region. We offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid services, including support groups, social activities, and special events like Westchester Pride, The Hudson Valley Trans Forum, and The Trans Support of The Hudson Valley (TSHV). Founded in 1983, our center is currently located at 252 Bryant Ave, White Plains, NY 10605.

Our Mission: Advocate, Educate, Celebrate

• Advocate: To further the cause of inclusion, diversity, and Pride through education, advocacy, and celebration.
• Educate: To broaden knowledge about and for our community, foster awareness of issues that affect all members, and respond to their needs.
• Celebrate: To forcefully advocate for justice and positive, progressive change for all LGBTQ+ people. We celebrate our culture and contributions to society and are dedicated to fulfilling our mission with dedication and vigilance.

Our Story

In the early 1980s, the Lesbian Task Force of Southern Westchester now and the Gay Men’s Alliance of the Hudson Valley joined forces to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Their efforts established The LOFT in 1983, located above a grocery store on Grove Street in White Plains, NY (now Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard). To maintain discretion, the organization was named The LOFT, reflecting the actual loft space where it was born.

The LOFT Founders—Jenny Cummings, Robert Knight, Peter LoMonte, Phyllis Lynch, Frank Santoliquido, Susan Turner, and Mitchell Visoky—paved the way for Westchester County’s first and only LGBT center. We are eternally grateful to these pioneers and the many individuals who have since contributed to the growth and success of The LOFT.

The 1990s marked a period of expansion and transformation for The LOFT. In 1993, we incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the name The LOFT: The Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center, Inc. During this decade, our programs and services flourished, and a woman was elected as the LOFT Board President for the first time, and we hired our first Executive Director. We embraced the bond between the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, uniting as one—the LGBT Community. Our volunteer-driven public access television show, Forward & Out, which aired from 1993 to 1997, remains a valuable resource for understanding the history of the LGBT community in Westchester County and the surrounding region.

The new millennium has been marked by significant achievements in LGBT rights, including the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2015 legalizing Marriage Equality. This victory has strengthened our resolve to continue advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, especially for our transgender members. Our center remains dynamic and responsive to the changing needs of our community, with ever-evolving programming and increasingly successful annual events. Our Pride celebrations each June and our Annual Galas every fall continue to grow, reflecting our solid and proud community. No matter the challenges, we will always move forward and rise in Pride

Principal Functions

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead a bold, future-facing fundraising strategy that reflects The LOFT’s transformational mission and strategic growth goals. This senior executive will build and execute a multi-year resource development plan supporting operational needs and major strategic initiatives, including a forthcoming capital campaign for facility expansion and long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO will craft a vision for philanthropy that elevates The LOFT’s visibility, mobilizes existing and new donor networks, and leverages storytelling to drive investment in LGBTQ+ liberation. They will take the lead on cultivating and securing major gifts, stewarding legacy donors, expanding foundation and corporate partnerships, and galvanizing board and staff engagement in development. The CDO will also play a central role in launching and managing a comprehensive capital campaign to support infrastructure expansion and strategic impact initiatives.

This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who is passionate about intersectional justice and experienced in major gift fundraising, capital campaign planning, and developing high-performing development teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a 3–5 year development strategy aligned with the organization’s strategic plan, incorporating unrestricted, restricted, and capital campaign revenue goals.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and board to shape The LOFT’s philanthropic vision, institutional positioning, and narrative strategy to attract transformational gifts.
• Serve as a thought partner on organization-wide planning and positioning, helping to ensure fundraising is fully integrated into strategic decision-making.
• Prepare the organization for a capital campaign by leading feasibility studies, campaign design, case development, donor identification, and campaign infrastructure.
• Translate The LOFT’s mission and impact into compelling funding opportunities, with a particular emphasis on equity-centered storytelling and donor justice models.

Major Gifts & Capital Campaign

• Build and manage a robust portfolio of major donors ($10,000+), with a focus on cultivating long-term, trust-based relationships that lead to significant investments.
• Lead solicitation strategies for high-capacity individuals, including board members, foundation leaders, and philanthropic influencers.
• In partnership with the CEO and campaign counsel (if retained), design and implement all phases of the capital campaign, including quiet phase, public launch, and stewardship.
• Develop and refine a compelling case for support for capital needs and growth opportunities that align with The LOFT’s racial equity and LGBTQ+ justice commitments.

Institutional & Individual Fundraising

• Oversee a diverse portfolio of fundraising strategies including individual giving, corporate sponsorship, foundation grants, special events, and planned giving.
• Expand institutional relationships and secure multi-year grants and sponsorships to fund programs, operations, and strategic growth.
• Create and manage systems for donor cultivation, moves management, and stewardship, ensuring personalized and meaningful donor engagement experiences.
• Collaborate with finance staff to ensure gift compliance, accurate reporting, and grant budgeting.

Team & Board Engagement

• Recruit, supervise, and mentor development, marketing, grants staff and consultants as needed to support the growing needs of the department.
• Support and coach the Board of Directors to be effective ambassadors and fundraisers, including developing board training, tools, and engagement strategies.
• Partner with program staff to identify funding needs, share impact stories, and align messaging with programmatic outcomes.

Communications & Events

• Collaborate with communications staff to produce high-impact donor materials, annual reports, newsletters, and digital campaigns.
• Lead the planning and execution of signature fundraising events (e.g., Gala, Westchester Pride), ensuring alignment with cultivation and revenue strategies.
• Drive innovation in donor engagement strategies including peer-to-peer fundraising, digital giving, and community-centered giving models.

What You Bring

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership in fundraising, with demonstrated success in major gifts and capital campaigns.
• Strong understanding of philanthropy within equity-focused and LGBTQ+ contexts; lived experience as LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC strongly encouraged.
• Proven experience developing strategic fundraising plans and leading multi-faceted campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with major donors, board members, corporate partners, and institutional funders.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex issues through emotionally compelling storytelling.
• Familiarity with donor CRM systems such as Greater Giving
• Highly organized, entrepreneurial, and driven by a deep commitment to racial and gender justice.

Additional Information:

• Must be willing to work some evenings and occasional weekends.
• This position requires traveling within the counties served by The LOFT to attend events and meetings.

Physical Requirements:

• Sit for extended periods while working at a desk or in meetings.
• Use a computer and other office equipment effectively.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover all activities, duties, or responsibilities required. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of the community we serve. As an equal-opportunity employer, we actively encourage leadership and participation from all individuals. We value and welcome contributions from LGBTQ+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer); individuals of all genders and gender expressions; Black, Brown, and Indigenous people; people of color; those living with HIV; and individuals with disabilities.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, supported, and valued. By embracing diverse perspectives and experiences, we aim to strengthen our mission and positively impact our community.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $80K

The LOFT offers excellent benefits including health insurance and paid holidays.

How to Apply & Timeline

We will begin screening resumes in mid-June. The process will include:

1. First Step: 25-minute screening call with the CEO
2. Second Step: 60-minute virtual panel with Senior Leadership
3. Final Step: In-person presentation to the Leadership Team and a final interview with the CEO (details to follow)

Anticipated Start Date: Between late July and mid-August 2025

If you are passionate about leading a dedicated team, fostering inclusivity, and advancing the mission of The LOFT, we encourage you to apply by emailing your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with your name and CDO in the subject line.

Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community and promote a culture of inclusion, diversity, and pride.