Major Gifts Officer

Description

Reports to: Director of Development

Location: Bay Area – ideally Peninsula region (hybrid of in-office and work from home; travel required)

Job Type: Full-time, exempt

Compensation: $94,000 - $113,500 annually

Post date: April 9, 2025

Mission: Protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all.

Vision: Our vision is that Californians have a state park system that is accessible and relevant, adequately and sustainably funded, and stewarded for future generations. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

With a rich history spanning more than five decades, California State Parks Foundation champions the cause of California state parks, ensuring their protection and preservation for the greater good. By collaborating with park partners and dedicated park staff, as well as engaging policymakers in Sacramento, we actively address the challenges faced by our beloved parks. It is an exciting time for the organization as we recently released our 2024-2027 strategic plan, setting the path for continued growth. We are guided by our Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (JEID) commitments as well as our core organization values: A Bigger Tent, Future Forward, Connections Create Results, Celebrate California. 

The Major Gifts Officer (Northern California Region) plays a critical role for revenue generation for California State Parks Foundation and is responsible for the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts to support our mission and programs. As the counterpart to the Major Gifts Officer (Southern California Region), this position is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and potential major donors capable of making gifts of $10,000 and above. The position requires significant strategic thinking and donor management to develop a specific plan to move a potential donor from a financial prospect to major gift, as well as superior coordination skills to work with cross functional teams. 

This position is structured to facilitate work from a remote location in Northern California with the ability to cultivate and engage donors in the Bay Area and Sacramento regions primarily. The ideal candidate will be based in the Peninsula region given the large concentration of high-capacity prospects in San Francisco, San Jose, and the area between the two. Travel will be required to engage with donors face to face and participate in organizational activities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of California State Parks Foundation’s vision, strategic objectives, goals, and initiatives and be able to communicate these knowledgeably, credibly, and enthusiastically with major donors and other California State Parks Foundation constituencies.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development, Major Gifts Officer (Southern California Region), and other key staff to develop annual fundraising plans.
• Manage a portfolio of 125-150 donors, drawn from a mix of long-time donors and new prospects with the capacity of donating $10,000 or more annually. Continually refresh portfolio based on engagement history and wealth screening data. 
• Create fundraising strategies for each person in your portfolio based on the donor’s history of giving and the organization’s knowledge of that donor’s potential.
• Develop high trust relationships with donors, donor prospects, and partners. 
• Implement existing donor cultivation and stewardship procedures to strategically reach out to donors.
• Engage in face-to-face and virtual solicitation of major gifts.
• Provide stewardship of gifts from all donors within your portfolio, reporting back to donors on impact and outcomes achieved.
• Track portfolio activity and progress in the donor database.
• Create reports as required by management that accurately reflect portfolio activity and performance.
• Develop and execute cultivation and stewardship opportunities for donors and prospects in the portfolio and participate in donor-focused events. 
• Recruit donors to attend programs and events.
• Leverage marketing campaigns and other tools from our legacy giving consultant to identify current donors who are interested in adding California State Parks Foundation to their estate plan. 
• Work collaboratively with the membership program, institutional giving team, board members, and program staff to identify and pursue prospective major donors. Partner with Board members, senior staff, and program staff on donor engagement opportunities.
• Work closely with the finance team in tracking restricted gifts, pledges, and gifts of stock.
• Provide support to senior staff and board members in preparation for solicitations, including developing appropriate briefing materials in advance of meetings.
• Participate in California State Parks Foundation’s external relations events and activities as assigned.
• Participate in the annual organizational planning process and key staff gatherings.
• Submit timely expense reports.
• Integrate California State Parks Foundation’s organization values, including Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (JEID) goals, in all aspects of your work. 
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Commitment to California State Parks Foundation’s mission
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred
• 3+ years of major gift fundraising experience, with preference for additional experience with legacy giving
• Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns preferred
• Familiarity with the California state park system, environmental, and/or conservation practices preferred
• Valid driver’s license to be able to travel across California to meet with donors or tour any of the 280 state parks as needed, occasionally engaging in vigorous outdoor activities 
• Familiarity with tools such as Salesforce, iWave, Asana, Slack, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Expensify, Zoom preferred
• Strong analytical abilities and problem-solving skills
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Confident and comfortable in public speaking and facilitating meetings
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to donors in a timely manner
• Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation
• Flexible in the face of changing priorities
• High integrity: ability to maintain confidentiality and operate with discretion
• Collaborative team player who pitches in to do what needs to be done
• Highly organized; impeccable attention to detail
• Ability to adhere to deadlines
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings

JUSTICE, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND DIVERSITY:

At California State Parks Foundation, our mission is protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. We believe that California’s state parks are essential to the health, happiness, and quality of life for all Californians. If we truly are to benefit all, we must address justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity (JEID) in our work. While the process of integrating JEID may not be easy, we are full of hope regarding our vision for a future California state park system that engages a broad audience and is welcoming and accessible to all. We commit to fostering an organizational culture that celebrates learning and growth, leans into difficult conversations and feedback, values connection to each other, and sustains staff and board members’ well-being and sense of belonging.

COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $94,000 - $113,500.

BENEFITS: Employee benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, acupuncture/chiropractic, participation in 401k retirement plan with match after one year of service, employee life, accidental, long- and short-term disability insurance, participation in pre-tax commuter benefits and flexible spending account, health and wellness and hybrid office stipend after 6 months of employment, paid vacation, 13 paid holidays, birthday holiday, and sick time. 

TO APPLY: Please submit your application through the “Apply” link below. Your application should include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter that addresses why you are a good fit for this position and the organization. Please use separate attachments for each individual component with your last name in the file names. Applications considered on a rolling basis until position is filled. Anticipated start date is early July. 

California State Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Police Code, Article 49.