Development Director: Build a Major Gifts Pipeline

Palo Alto Humane; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual pet care benefit

Medical, dental, vision, and life ins.

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Palo Alto Humane is seeking a Development Director to own the fundraising function, reporting to the CEO and collaborating with a small team and an engaged board. You’ll architect the development strategy, build a major gifts pipeline, and create a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

In this critical leadership role, you’ll design donor programs, steward partners, and drive growth while maintaining a hands-on approach and close ties to leadership, donors, and the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector.
• College degree or extensive experience in relationship management roles (private foundations, sales, financial advising, etc.).
• Proven success developing and executing fundraising initiatives.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual donors.
• Exposure to major gifts work or program, or experience managing a donor portfolio desired.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead PAH's comprehensive fundraising strategy — spanning major gifts, annual campaigns, recurring donors, donor-advised funds, planned giving, giving platforms, and written solicitations.
• Set annual and multi-year fundraising goals and budgets in partnership with the CEO.
• Identify, cultivate and steward major donors, corporate partners, and legacy sponsors alongside the CEO.
• Develop engagement plans for stock giving and donor-advised fund giving.
• Oversee donor stewardship and recognition – ensuring acknowledgements, tax receipts, and creative recognition ideas reflect fundraising best practices.
• Maintain the donor database, ensuring accurate records and meaningful donor engagement.
• In partnership with the Director of Community Engagement, build and grow the “Charity Checkout” program, our point-of-sale giving initiative with local veterinary practices and businesses.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Major gifts

Donor stewardship

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

DonorPerfect

Blackbaud

Salesforce

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Canva

VistaPrint

Constant Contact

Job description

Palo Alto Humane is seeking a Development Director to own the fundraising function, reporting to the CEO and collaborating with a small team and an engaged board. You’ll architect the development strategy, build a major gifts pipeline, and create a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

In this critical leadership role, you’ll design donor programs, steward partners, and drive growth while maintaining a hands-on approach and close ties to leadership, donors, and the community.