Development Director, Palo Alto Humane (Peninsula)

Palo Alto Humane has spent more than a century championing the human-animal bond — and we’re at an inflection point. Our programs are growing, our community presence is deepening, and we’re ready to build the fundraising infrastructure to match our ambition. This is a rare opportunity for a fundraiser who wants to own something. You won’t be inheriting a rigid system or managing a large team — you’ll be the architect of our development function, with direct access to leadership, a board that’s engaged and ready to open doors, and a mission that resonates deeply with donors in one of the most philanthropically active regions in the country.

About the Organization

Palo Alto Humane’s mission is to inspire our community to connect humanely with animals. We believe in the transformative bond between humans and animals and aim to support both. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable, volunteer-supported organization, and one of the few humane societies nationwide with no animal shelter. Our programs and services ensure pets remain in homes with their families, support spay/neuter efforts across Santa Clara County, and provide experiences for people to connect with friendly pets when they may not have a pet of their own. For more than a century, PAH’s focus has been to alleviate the suffering of animals, increase public sensitivity to animal issues, and elevate the status of animals in our society.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead PAH’s comprehensive fundraising strategy — spanning major gifts, annual campaigns, recurring donors, donor advised funds, planned giving, giving platforms, and written solicitations.
• Set annual and multi-year fundraising goals and budgets in partnership with the CEO.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward major donors, corporate partners, and legacy sponsors alongside the CEO.
• Oversee donor stewardship and recognition – ensuring acknowledgements, tax receipts, and creative recognition ideas reflect fundraising best practices.
• Maintain the donor database, ensuring accurate records and meaningful donor engagement.
• Develop engagement plans for stock giving and donor advised fund giving.
• Build and grow the “Charity Checkout” program, our point-of-sale giving initiative with local veterinary practices and businesses.
• Partner with the Director of Community Engagement (and Marketing Consultant) to create stories and content across social media, email solicitations and communications, newsletters, annual reports, and press releases that bring PAH’s mission and impact to life.
• Help grow PAH’s digital presence, including our website and social channels.
• Provide regular fundraising updates to the Board and leadership team.
• Set key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising and marketing efforts, using real-time data to refine strategy.
• Help build a culture of philanthropy across PAH – coaching staff, board members, and volunteers on fundraising.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and goal-setting with the CEO.

What Success Looks Like

In your first 90 days, you’ll get to know PAH from the inside out — meeting with the CEO, board, and staff, auditing our current donor database and fundraising materials, and building relationships with our key supporters. By the end of this period, you’ll have a clear picture of where we stand and draft a roadmap for the year ahead.

By the end of year one, you’ll have launched at least one new fundraising initiative or strengthened an existing program (such as a robust DAF program, a major gifts pipeline, or an extensive Charity Checkout program). In addition, you will have established KPIs that give leadership and the board real visibility into fundraising performance, and built the early foundation of a donor stewardship system that will support PAH’s growth for years to come.

Requirements

• Passion for PAH’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Minimum of five years of fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector, and a college degree or extensive experience in relationship management roles (private foundations, sales, financial advising, etc.).
• Proven success developing and executing fundraising initiatives.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors.
• Exposure to major gifts work or program, or experience managing a donor portfolio desired.
• Demonstrated ability to increase revenue and ensure long-term strategic growth.
• Self-starter with the ability to drive projects to completion with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem-solver and critical thinker, ability to synthesize data and make evidence-based decisions.
• Persuasive and clear communicator with excellent organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in DonorPerfect (or similar donor software platforms such as Blackbaud or Salesforce), Constant Contact, Google Workspace, Microsoft Suite, Canva, VistaPrint, and digital marketing tools.

Benefits

• Annual $1000 pet care benefit.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Accrual-based PTO (up to 10 days in first year of employment with annual increases based on years of service).
• Partial remote/hybrid flexibility.
• Flexible work-week scheduling.
• Three paid sick days annually.
• Eight paid holidays.
• Professional development or training opportunities with Board approval.

Pay

Salary of $85,000-$90,000 plus bonuses based on meeting mutually agreed upon fundraising revenue and donor targets.

Schedule

• Role requires prolonged periods of sitting and extensive use of a computer, including typing and screen time.
• Must be able to communicate effectively via email, video calls, and other digital communication tools.
• Must have flexibility to work occasional weekends and evenings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.