Chief Development Officer

Reimagine

• $100K — $150K *
Santa Ana, CA 92704In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit development roles.
  • Proven track record in successful major gift solicitation and relationship management.
  • Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.
  • Excellent communication and storytelling abilities for donor engagement.
  • Familiarity with donor management systems and fundraising technology.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement annual and multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with the organization's mission.
  • Manage annual giving campaigns and optimize donor retention strategies.
  • Lead the planning and execution of a signature fundraising event, fostering community engagement.
  • Create and implement donor cultivation and stewardship programs to strengthen relationships.
  • Engage and support a diverse Parent Advisory Council to enhance advocacy and fundraising efforts.

Benefits

  • Flexible work environment that promotes work-life balance.
  • Professional development opportunities and training.
  • Collaborative team culture focused on mission-driven outcomes.
Full Job Description
Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive annual development plan aligned with organizational goals.
  • Create and implement multi-year fundraising strategies that diversify and grow revenue streams.
  • Establish measurable fundraising goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics.
  • Build a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising and donor engagement.

Annual Giving & Appeals
  • Develop and manage annual fundraising campaigns, including:
    • Year-end appeals
    • Digital fundraising campaigns
    • Monthly giving programs
  • Create compelling donor communications, solicitation materials, and impact stories.
  • Collaborate with marketing and program staff to communicate organizational impact effectively.
  • Track campaign performance and optimize strategies for donor retention and growth.

Signature Fundraising Event Management
  • Lead planning, execution, and growth of the organization's annual signature fundraising event.
  • Develop sponsorship opportunities and corporate partnerships.
  • Oversee event committees, volunteer leadership, and fundraising goals.
  • Manage event budgets, timelines, logistics, auction procurement, and donor cultivation opportunities.
  • Evaluate event performance and implement strategies for increased revenue and community engagement.

Implement Program Development
  • Design and implement a comprehensive donor cultivation and stewardship program.
  • Establish systems for donor identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Build major gifts and planned giving programs.
  • Develop donor recognition programs and stewardship strategies.
  • Ensure effective use of donor management systems and fundraising technology.

Parent Advisory Council Development
  • Establish and lead a Parent Advisory Council to strengthen family engagement and community advocacy.
  • Recruit, orient, and support parent leaders representing diverse perspectives.
  • Facilitate regular council meetings and collaborative initiatives.
  • Engage council members in advocacy, fundraising, volunteerism, and ambassador activities.
  • Create opportunities for parents and families to provide feedback and support organizational priorities.

Board and Volunteer Engagement
  • Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising capacity.
  • Support Board development and engagement in donor cultivation and stewardship.
  • Train and coach Board members on fundraising best practices.
  • Develop volunteer leadership opportunities that support fundraising and community outreach.
  • Support the CEO with Board Recruitment

Major Gifts & Relationship Management
  • Manage a portfolio of major donors, prospects, corporate sponsors, and foundation funders.
  • Conduct donor visits and cultivation meetings.
  • Identify, solicit, and steward major gifts.
  • Develop customized engagement strategies for high-capacity donors.
  • Build long-term relationships that increase philanthropic investment.

Foundation and Corporate Relations
  • Identify and pursue foundation and corporate funding opportunities.
  • Collaborate with grant writers and program staff to develop competitive proposals.
  • Manage funder relationships and reporting requirements.
  • Develop sponsorship opportunities that align with organizational initiatives and events.

Data Management and Reporting
  • Maintain accurate donor records and fundraising data.
  • Monitor fundraising performance and prepare regular reports for leadership and the Board.
  • Analyze donor trends and fundraising outcomes to inform strategy.
  • Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards and donor privacy requirements.
* Ladders Estimates
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  • Chief Development Officer
    $100K — $150K *
    Santa Ana, CA 92704 (Orange County)
    Today
    Education, Government & Non-Profit
    In-Person

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