Development Director: Build a Major Gifts Engine

Palo Alto Humane; California; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pet care benefit

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Accrual PTO

Remote/hybrid flexibility

Flexible schedule

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Palo Alto Humane in California is seeking a Development Director to own and build our fundraising function. You will design strategy, manage major gifts, and report to the CEO with close collaboration with the board and a small team.

This role offers direct impact on animals and donors, with a chance to shape a growing donor community and implement a major gifts pipeline and DAF opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector.
• College degree or extensive relationship-management experience.
• Proven success developing and executing fundraising initiatives.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual donors.
• Exposure to major gifts and donor portfolios is desirable.
• Ability to increase revenue and drive long-term growth.
• Self-starter with project-management and collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical, communication, and storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead PAH's comprehensive fundraising strategy across major gifts and campaigns.
• Set annual and multi-year fundraising goals and budgets with the CEO.
• Identify, cultivate and steward major donors, corporate partners, and legacy sponsors.
• Develop engagement plans for stock giving and donor-advised funds.
• Oversee donor stewardship, acknowledgments, and tax receipts.
• Maintain the donor database with accurate records and engagement metrics.
• Develop the Charity Checkout program with local veterinary practices and businesses.
• Collaborate on stories and content for social media and newsletters to highlight impact.
• Provide regular fundraising updates to the Board with KPI reporting.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy, coaching staff and volunteers.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Major gifts

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

DonorPerfect

Blackbaud

Salesforce

Google Workspace

Canva

Job description

Palo Alto Humane in California is seeking a Development Director to own and build our fundraising function. You will design strategy, manage major gifts, and report to the CEO with close collaboration with the board and a small team.

This role offers direct impact on animals and donors, with a chance to shape a growing donor community and implement a major gifts pipeline and DAF opportunities.