17 Chief Development Officer Interview Questions and Answers

The job of a chief development officer (CDO) is to oversee all aspects of a company’s fundraising and development operations. This includes developing and executing fundraising plans, cultivating relationships with donors, and managing a team of development professionals.

If you’re interviewing for a CDO position, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your experience in fundraising, your knowledge of development operations, and your ability to lead and motivate a team. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some sample questions and answers that will help you shine in your interview.

Are you familiar with the types of fundraising events and initiatives that are most successful?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your fundraising experience and knowledge. Use examples from past experiences that highlight your ability to plan successful events, choose the right venue and attract sponsors for a cause or organization.

Example: “I have extensive experience planning fundraising initiatives for my previous employer. I know that there are many different types of fundraising events, including galas, auctions, golf tournaments, 5K runs and more. In my last role, I planned several fundraisers each year, including annual gala dinners, silent auctions and golf tournaments. These events were highly successful in raising money for our organization because we chose venues with high attendance rates and engaged sponsors who could donate valuable prizes.”

What are some of the most important qualities that a chief development officer should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the qualities they’re looking for in a chief development officer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills and traits that are listed on your resume or cover letter. This can show the interviewer that you have these important qualities.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities a chief development officer should have is creativity. A chief development officer needs to come up with new ideas and strategies for fundraising and other ways to generate revenue. Having creative thinking skills can help you find innovative solutions to problems. Another quality I think is important is communication. As a chief development officer, you need to communicate effectively with many different people, including donors, board members and employees.”

How would you describe the mission of our organization to a potential donor?

This question can help the interviewer assess your understanding of the organization’s mission and goals. Use examples from your research to explain what you think is important about the company, its values and how it helps customers or clients.

Example: “I would tell them that your organization provides a valuable service to people who are looking for ways to improve their lives. I’d say that they offer practical advice on how to achieve financial independence through education and self-improvement. I’d also mention that they provide resources like books and online courses that anyone can use to learn new skills and make positive changes in their life.”

What is your experience with managing a team of fundraising professionals?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you manage a team of professionals. Use examples from your experience to explain what it’s like to lead fundraising teams, including the challenges you’ve faced while managing them.

Example: “In my previous role as chief development officer for a nonprofit organization, I led a team of five fundraising professionals who worked together to create marketing campaigns that raised money for our cause. We met weekly to discuss our progress on current projects and brainstorm new ideas for future ones. While working with my team, I learned how important it is to delegate tasks among employees so they can work independently on their own projects.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully persuaded a wealthy individual or corporation to make a significant donation to your organization.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your negotiation skills and ability to persuade others. Use examples from your experience that highlight your communication, persuasion and interpersonal skills.

Example: “In my last role as chief development officer for a nonprofit organization, I was responsible for securing large donations from wealthy individuals and corporations. One of the largest donors we had at the time was an individual who owned several businesses in our city. He wanted to give us $100,000 but wasn’t sure if he could afford it. I met with him one-on-one and explained how his donation would help us provide services to thousands of people in need. After hearing my pitch, he decided to donate $200,000.”

If we were to look at your organization’s financial records, what would they show about your ability to manage funds effectively?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your financial management skills and how you’ve used them in the past. To answer, think of a time when you were responsible for overseeing or managing funds within an organization. Explain what steps you took to ensure that money was being spent appropriately and efficiently.

Example: “In my last position as chief development officer at ABC Development Company, I oversaw all aspects of fundraising efforts. This included creating budgets for each department, monitoring expenses and ensuring that we met our revenue goals. In fact, during my tenure, we raised over $1 million dollars for our nonprofit organization.”

What would you do if you learned that a high-profile donor was planning to hold a major fundraising event that might compete with yours?

This question can help interviewers assess your leadership skills and how you might handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to collaborate with others and understand the importance of working together.

Example: “If I learned about this donor’s event, I would first reach out to them to see if we could work together on their event or combine it with ours. If they were unwilling to do so, I would meet with my team to discuss our options. We may be able to adjust our plans to ensure we’re not competing for the same donors or supporters. Ultimately, I would want to find a solution that is beneficial for everyone involved.”

How well do you work with members of the board of directors?

The board of directors is a group of people who oversee the operations of an organization. They are responsible for making sure that the chief development officer and other leaders are doing their jobs well. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to collaborate with others. Use your answer to show that you can work with others in leadership positions. Explain how you plan to communicate with them and keep them informed about your progress.

Example: “I have experience working with members of boards of directors before, so I know how important it is to keep them updated on my progress. In my last role, I met with the board once per month to discuss our fundraising efforts. I find that regular communication helps everyone stay informed and feel confident in the direction of the organization. I would continue these meetings as your chief development officer.”

Do you have experience planning and executing fundraising campaigns that meet regulatory requirements?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand your experience with fundraising and how you plan, organize and execute these types of projects. Use examples from past experiences where you planned a campaign that met regulatory requirements and helped the organization meet its financial goals.

Example: “In my last role as chief development officer for an animal shelter, I worked with our board of directors to create a strategic plan for raising funds through private donations and grants. We decided on a three-year fundraising strategy that included both short-term and long-term goals. For example, we wanted to raise $100,000 in one year and $200,000 in two years.

We also needed to ensure that all donors were aware of their donation limits so they didn’t violate any regulations. To do this, I created a donor database using software specifically designed for nonprofits. This allowed us to track each donor’s information and monitor their contributions.”

When approaching potential donors, what is your strategy for building trust and convincing them to donate?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to persuade others. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully persuaded someone to donate or support a cause.

Example: “I find that the most effective way to build trust with potential donors is by being honest about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. I also make sure to listen carefully to their concerns, as many people are hesitant to donate because they want to know exactly how their money will be used. In my last role, I was able to convince several new donors to give to our organization after explaining our mission and showing them some of our previous work.”

We want to increase the number of young people who support our cause. How would you go about doing that?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the organization and how you can help it grow. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your communication skills and ability to inspire others.

Example: “I would start by creating an online presence that appeals to young people. I would create social media accounts where they could share our content with their friends and family. I would also use influencers who have large followings among young people to promote our cause. Finally, I would hold events in areas where young people are likely to attend.”

Describe your process for evaluating the success of a fundraising event or campaign.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at once. Use examples from past experiences to describe how you plan, organize and execute fundraising events or campaigns.

Example: “I start by creating a timeline for the event or campaign that includes all of the important dates, deadlines and deliverables. I then delegate tasks among my team members so we can complete each step on time. Throughout the process, I check in with my team members to make sure they’re on track and provide any necessary support or guidance. After the event or campaign is over, I evaluate its success based on the goals we set before starting.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you compare to other candidates. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other applicants.

Example: “I have extensive experience in fundraising and marketing, which are two key components of this position. I also have a proven track record of increasing revenue by 20% within my first year at every company I’ve worked for. My communication skills are another strength, as I am able to collaborate with team members and stakeholders to create effective strategies.”

Which industries or fields do you have the most experience working in as a chief development officer?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their organization. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant skills or experiences you have that would be helpful in this role.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily in higher education, but I also have a lot of experience working with nonprofit organizations. In my last position as chief development officer at State University, I helped raise over $100 million for the university’s endowment fund. This was one of the largest fundraising campaigns ever completed by an institution of our size.”

What do you think is the most important thing chief development officers can do to support the mission of their organization?

This question can help interviewers understand your values and how you plan to support the organization’s mission. Use examples from your experience that show how you prioritize supporting the company’s goals and objectives.

Example: “I think chief development officers should always be looking for new ways to engage with their communities, donors and stakeholders. I’ve found that it’s important to stay up-to-date on current trends in fundraising and marketing so we can apply those strategies to our own organizations. For example, when I worked at a nonprofit focused on environmental conservation, I noticed many other nonprofits were using crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter to raise money. We decided to try this strategy as well, which led to an increase in donations.”

How often do you recommend making donations to our cause?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process when it comes to donating money or resources. Your answer should include a specific dollar amount and the reasoning behind why you chose that number.

Example: “I recommend making donations at least once per quarter, but I would prefer to make them monthly. This is because I find that smaller amounts of money donated more frequently are better for the organization than larger sums given less often. For example, if we were to donate $1,000 every month instead of every three months, we could save our company thousands of dollars in interest payments over time.”

There is a new trend in the marketplace that could make our cause more appealing to donors. How would you identify and capitalize on this opportunity?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to identify trends in the marketplace and how you would use them to benefit your organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific trend that has helped your organization grow or even one that you have noticed in the news recently.

Example: “I think there are two ways we could capitalize on this opportunity. First, I would want to make sure our team was aware of the trend so we could start implementing strategies to take advantage of it. Then, I would look at our current marketing strategy to see if we could implement any new tactics based on the trend.”