Associate Donor Relations Officer - Davis, CA, Job ID 88599

Clay Today; Davis, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources in Davis, CA seeks an Associate Donor Relations Officer to manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, leading donor engagement, fundraising, and stewardship to strengthen relationships with UC ANR supporters.

The role combines portfolio management with donor communications, gift acknowledgment, reporting, and strategy development, working with leadership and volunteers to advance philanthropic relationships across Development

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in development, donor relations, or fundraising.
• Strong writing and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Coordinate donor strategy, support solicitations, and engage leadership to advance opportunities.
• Prepare donor-facing materials and reports to support fundraising goals.
• Develop donor communications reflecting program priorities and UC ANR's mission.
• Assist with events, briefings, and donor recognition activities.

Skills

Donor relations

Project management

Written communication

Relationship building

Fundraising strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

Associate Donor Relations Officer – Davis, CA, Job ID 88599

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Associate Donor Relations Officer is a frontline development professional responsible for managing a portfolio of individual donors and prospects while leading donor engagement, fundraising, and stewardship activities that strengthen relationships with UC ANR supporters and encourage continued philanthropic support. The position combines portfolio management with donor communications, gift acknowledgment, reporting, recognition, strategy development, and donor data oversight, and is intended to operate at an advanced professional level with broad responsibility for cultivating and advancing philanthropic relationships.

This role works closely with UC ANR leadership, frontline fundraisers, academics, volunteers, and the broader development team to coordinate outreach strategies, support solicitations, develop donor-facing materials, and ensure a well-integrated donor experience across development activities. The position requires strong writing, project management, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to manage complex assignments, provide informed recommendations, and serve as a resource on donor relations, stewardship, and fundraising strategy.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, UC ANR works to improve the life of every Californian by collaborating to solve problems and serving communities. For more than 100 years, UC ANR has connected Californians to their land‑grant university through a collaborative, mission‑driven network of advisors, specialists, academics, and staff. UC ANR is committed to attracting and retaining a workforce reflective of our community and encourages applications from individuals whose experiences and perspectives contribute to equitable, and welcoming working and learning environments.

The Development Services unit follows a purpose‑driven model of fundraising that begins with listening to what donors hope to accomplish and aligning those aims with UC ANR's unique strengths and statewide mission. Instead of leading with internal needs and categories, the team focuses on real‑world outcomes in communities and industries, building cases for support that reflect shared purpose and public benefit.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the Development Services Office. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Budgeted Pay Scale: $103,100.00/year to $120,000.00/year

Standard Pay Scale: $103,100.00/year to $149,700.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 9/17/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

75% Donor Portfolio Management and Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, developing and implementing cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement strategies that advance philanthropic support and strengthen long‑term relationships.
• Conduct donor outreach through calls, meetings, written correspondence, briefings, and other engagement activities to deepen relationships and move donors through the development cycle.
• Partner with frontline fundraisers, development colleagues, and UC ANR leadership to coordinate donor strategy, support solicitations, and help advance complex donor opportunities.
• Research donor backgrounds, philanthropic interests, and engagement history to identify opportunities for cultivation, solicitation, and future support.
• Develop and coordinate donor‑facing materials, including proposals, briefings, acknowledgments, reports, presentations, and other communications that support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Create and implement individualized donor communication and engagement strategies that reflect donor interests, program priorities, and UC ANR's mission.
• Support the development of cases for support, fundraising briefs, and tailored approaches to engaging individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Assist with donor events, briefings, recognition activities, and other development‑related programs that enhance relationships with UC ANR supporters.
• Serve as a collaborative partner to the advancement team by sharing information, coordinating follow‑up, supporting strategic initiatives, and contributing to integrated fundraising efforts across Development Services.
• Provide informed recommendations on donor strategy, stewardship opportunities, and relationship management approaches based on donor interests, engagement history, and organizational priorities.
• Serve as a resource to internal partners on donor relations, stewardship communications, and fundraising practices related to assigned projects and portfolios.
• Comply with UC Development policies and related university guidelines.

25% Stewardship, Data, and Administration

• Assist with annual reporting and gift acknowledgment activities to help ensure they are completed on time and remain aligned with donor intent and institutional standards.
• Help ensure gifts are administered and utilized in accordance with donor intent, university policy, and applicable procedures; identify, resolve, or elevate discrepancies as needed.
• Work with program staff, academics, volunteers, and other beneficiaries to collect gift use information and prepare concise, donor‑centered stewardship materials.
• Use donor databases and CRM systems, including Raisers Edge NXT or similar platforms, to maintain records, document donor interactions, support fundraising strategy, and strengthen stewardship activity.
• Review and audit assigned records and portfolios to ensure donor, fund, and beneficiary information is accurate, complete, and useful for development planning.
• Provide project coordination, operational support, and administrative follow‑through for donor relations and Development Services projects.
• Participate in planning for annual and longer‑range donor relations and fundraising activities that support Development Services priorities and UC ANR strategic goals.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of stewardship processes, donor communications, and internal practices that improve donor experience and program effectiveness.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or three years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in development, donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, advancement services, or a related field.
• Advanced ability to manage a donor portfolio or comparable set of external relationships with initiative, sound judgment, and growing strategic responsibility.
• Advanced ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent writing, research, editorial, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and customer service skills in handling confidential and sensitive matters.
• Advanced ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Advanced ability to develop donor‑facing materials, coordinate stewardship communications, and support donor strategy across multiple constituencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor database or CRM applications, including Raisers Edge NXT or similar systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit development, or a large, complex organization.
• Experience with individual giving, donor stewardship, gift acknowledgment, donor recognition, donor events, or frontline fundraising.
• Knowledge of advancement practices and applicable policies and procedures.
• Experience supporting donor strategy, proposal development, stewardship reporting, or development communications.
• Interest in professional growth within frontline fundraising and donor relations.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job‑related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies. Travel outside of normal business hours. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke‑and tobacco‑free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e‑cigarettes), is strictly prohibited. As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace