Director of Development and Major Gifts

About the role

The Peninsula College Fund (PCF) is seeking an experienced individual to fill the role of Director of Development and Major Gifts. Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Director will spearhead development efforts as PCF continues to grow.

Responsibilities

• Forecast and achieve PCF’s revenue objectives by developing and implementing a fundraising strategy, including the retention of existing donors and the acquisition of new major donors, that achieves near-term goals while also establishing and pursuing strategic goals.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and participate in Board meetings with shared responsibility for achieving the organization's vision and goals.
• Diversify and implement the strategic fundraising direction of the organization to increase financial support in line with PCF’s overall strategy and goals.
• Foster relationships to support PCF’s sustainability and strategic growth.
• Manage a Development Specialist and collaborate across departments and teams to further PCF’s vision and mission.
• Coordinate development activities with other facets of the organization, particularly communications and finance.
• Build a communications strategy (including social media, newsletters and promotional materials) towards raising PCF’s profile amongst funders and donors.
• Support the involvement of PCF’s Board as active partners in the fundraising process, and provide leadership for the Board’s Development Committee.
• Create an effective donor and prospect communication strategy, calendar, and content.
• Research and identify new major donor prospects in coordination with the Executive Director, PCF board members, and the development committee.
• Research, write, submit, and document effective letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and corresponding grant reports.
• Lead and partner with the Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of foundation and corporate donors.
• Ensure that contributions and donor data are properly maintained in PCF’s donor database, including monthly reconciliation of contributions with PCF’s Accountant.
• Ensure that gifts are acknowledged and documented in a prompt and appropriate manner, and regularly report to the Executive Director on progress toward fundraising goals.
• Ensure effective data tracking and systems: oversee the evaluation of systems to support development and inform data-driven planning.
• Oversee the evaluation of systems to support development and inform data-driven planning.
• Ensure accurate donor recognition and acknowledgment in print and online.
• Ensure that high quality supplemental grant materials, such as thank you letters from scholarship recipients, letters of support, etc. are current.
• Ensure that development-related areas of PCF’s website and social media platforms are current, accurate, and well written.
• Participate as may be requested or required when “all hands-on deck” are needed to support PCF events, including the College Kick-Off Weekend, Career Exploration Fair, and other all-organization events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in major gifts or related fundraising roles, with a successful record of securing six-figure gifts.
• Strong connections to Santa Clara County and/or San Mateo County individuals, corporations, and foundations with the capacity to make significant gifts.
• Proven ability to cultivate relationships and close six-figure gifts.
• Experience with a wealth-intelligence and prospect research platform (e.g., WealthEngine, iWave, etc.) used by nonprofits is a plus.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and strategic planning skills.
• A deep belief in the importance of expanding access to higher education for first-generation, low-income students.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with high initiative, follow-through, and comfort working in a small, collaborative team.
• Strong alignment with the mission of expanding educational access for low-income, first-generation students.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Pay

$150,000 - $180,000 annually

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hr./week exempt position. Available for non-traditional hours including weeknights and weekends on a limited basis.