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Job · New York, NY

Chief Development Officer

Human Rights Watch · International, Foreign Affairs & National Security · $85M budget · Since 1976

Why Human Rights Watch

FY2024 · Form 990Its mission and biggest programs, as filed

Investigates and documents human rights abuses worldwide, publishing reports to protect vulnerable populations and advocate for global justice.

  • Asia division of Human Rights Watch, INC. Monitors and promotes Human Rights in asian countries from afghanistan to the east. Human Rights Watch sends investigative missions to collect information and reports its findings to the public.$2.6M spent in FY2024
  • Middle east & north africa - for more than two decades, Human Rights Watch has worked to expose and curb a wide range of Human Rights violations in the middle east and north africa. With a staff of more than…$2M spent in FY2024
  • Africa division of Human Rights Watch, INC. Monitors and promotes Human Rights in sub saharan africa. Human Rights Watch sends investigative missions to collect information and reports its findings to the public.$1.9M spent in FY2024

Before you apply

FY2023 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Peers pay
$189K–$331K
$10M+ orgs, New York
Fine: from the org's Form 990.
Pt VII · Sec A
Pays its leaders
$271K–$539K
12 officers reported
Fine: from the org's Form 990.
Pt VII · Sec A
Budget
$107.8M
spent in FY2023
Fine: from the org's Form 990.
Pt I · Ln 18
Spent on programs
73%
of spending
Fine: 73% of spending went to programs; 65% to 75%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Surplus or deficit
−39%
of revenue, FY2023
Concern: revenue was below expenses in the latest filing.
Pt I · Ln 19
Cash reserves
22 mo
of spending, in cash and securities
Looks good: 21.9 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Latest return
FY2023
latest Form 990
Fine: the latest return is for FY2023, 3 tax years back; within 3 tax years.
IRS e-file
IRS status
501(c)(3)
tax-exempt since 1976
Looks good: listed by the IRS.
IRS BMF
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernTap a box for the reason.

About the role

The org's own posting, as written

FULL TIME JOB VACANCY CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Development and Outreach Department Multiple Locations Considered (NYC Preferred) Application Deadline: Open Until Filled The Role The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will bring fresh vision and strategic leadership to build on and boldly advance the organization's fundraising, marketing, and donor and community engagement efforts, deepening impact and expanding reach at a pivotal moment for HRW.

This is a critical position for the organization and an exciting opportunity to shape and accelerate the fundraising strategy and roadmap for HRW's future, developing and implementing ambitious fundraising, outreach, and constituency building strategies. The CDO must be committed to HRW's mission to take on human rights abuses around the world, communicate passionately about its work, and inspire its staff, volunteer teams, and donors. The CDO will report directly to Executive Director Philippe Bolopion and will serve on HRW's Executive Committee, the organization’s senior leadership team.

The CDO will lead a high-performing Development & Outreach Team of approximately 110 staff members, spanning leadership and principal giving, donor committees and council fundraising, Board of Directors engagement, foundation giving, marketing, planned giving, and fundraising systems and data analysis. Fundraising Context HRW’s fundraising has grown steadily over the years, and it currently raises approximately $100M annually, with approximately 70% of its revenue from gifts of $100,000+.

A focus of fundraising and outreach at HRW has been the HRW Council, a collective of some 20 committees and 1,000 individuals around the world who help fundraise, engage new constituents and potential donors, partner with local organizations to promote human rights issues, and advocate on behalf of HRW and its mission. The CDO will be responsible for growing existing revenue streams and diversifying the organization’s income through principal, leadership and major gifts, institutional funding, marketing, and planned giving to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the organization.

The greatest opportunity for the CDO lies in engaging donors at the highest levels to support major strategic work while also determining the optimal level of resources for growing the base of support. In 2024, HRW adopted a five-year Global Strategy to guide the organization’s programmatic and operational direction. In July 2026, the strategy was refined to help position HRW for maximum impact in a rapidly shifting human rights environment. The CDO will shape how HRW grows and diversifies revenue to support the organization’s strategic priorities and deliver on the ambitions set out in the refined strategy. Underpinning all of this is a mandate for stability and steady leadership.

HRW seeks a CDO who will lead the function credibly over the long term – reinforcing continuity, strengthening the pipeline, and building the confidence of the…

Read the full posting

About Human Rights Watch

From its Form 990

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