Position Summary: Reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs, this role leads integrated fundraising and communications strategies that strengthen relationships, elevate our mission, and support the long-term growth needed to serve our member food banks.
This position is central to connecting our mission with donors, members, and the broader community-ensuring every external touchpoint reflects our values, demonstrates our impact, and advances our shared commitment to ending hunger in California.
Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Partnership
- Partner with the Vice President of External Affairs to shape and implement a comprehensive development and communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
- Serve as a thought partner on donor engagement, storytelling, and external positioning.
- Establish and track performance metrics to strengthen impact, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Supervise and support one direct report and consultant, fostering professional growth, accountability, and a collaborative cross-functional team.
- Manage departmental budget and resources responsibly and transparently.
- Provide regular reports for the VP External Affairs, Leadership Team and Board.
Development & Fundraising
- Lead and grow a diversified fundraising program, including individual giving, foundation, corporate partnerships, and special events.
- Build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and partners, centering stewardship, and shared commitment to mission.
- Oversee grant development, ensuring strong alignment with the organization goals, funding opportunities, and timely/accurate reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit fundraising standards and ethical practices.
- Oversee development systems, including CRM, Salesforce and reporting tools, ensuring data integrity and donor stewardship.
- Manage and ensure accuracy of the donor database (Salesforce) and tracking of communications across the External Affairs Team.
Communications
- Provide strategic direction on external communications, including donor updates, newsletters, and digital content.
- Facilitate the creation of professional materials consistent with our branding, messaging, and voice across all platforms (e.g. website, Annual Report, promotional materials, social media).
- Ensure ethical and strength-based storytelling practices are upheld across communications.
- Create compelling written content including presentations, blogs, speeches, and other materials.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, or a related field
- 5-7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, communications, or external affairs.
- Strong experience with development operations, including donor pipelines, prospect research, moves management, CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and data tracking.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and relationship-based philanthropy.
- Strong experience in strategic communications, storytelling, and brand management.
- Required experience with copywriting, including writing press releases, blogs, and donor and digital communications.
- Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage and develop staff.
Compensation: Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted annual salary range that CAFB expects to pay for this position is $107,547.67 - $126,354.20
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including generous employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans; retirement program with employer contribution; life insurance; PTO, and more.
