Development & Grants Specialist (Hybrid - SF Bay Area)

Socket.dev; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto University is seeking a Development Specialist to support donor communications, grant research, and proposal writing within PAU's growing development function. The role emphasizes strategic writing, data accuracy, and cross‑functional collaboration to advance philanthropic objectives.

Reporting to the Director of Development, you will manage prospect research, wealth screening, donor stewardship, and CRM management, coordinating with faculty, alumni, and advancement colleagues to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, communications, public policy, nonprofit management, psychology, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Research and pursue funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, local and select federal programs.
• Write grant proposals, letters of inquiry, concept papers, and donor communications.
• Own proposal development from draft to submission with program data and faculty input.
• Build and maintain a priority prospect list of Bay Area funders and track deadlines.
• Draft gift acknowledgments, annual giving materials, and donor communications for university leaders.
• Maintain donor data in CRM platforms including HubSpot; manage gifts and acknowledgments.
• Conduct prospect research, wealth screening, and support pipeline reporting.
• Assist with development events and annual giving campaigns and reporting.

Skills

Grant writing

Donor communications

Proposal development

CRM management

HubSpot familiarity

Prospect research

Wealth screening

Donor stewardship

Writing ability

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/communications/public policy/nonprofit management/psychology

Tools

HubSpot

Donately

Job description

Palo Alto University is seeking a Development Specialist to support donor communications, grant research, and proposal writing within PAU's growing development function. The role emphasizes strategic writing, data accuracy, and cross‑functional collaboration to advance philanthropic objectives.

Reporting to the Director of Development, you will manage prospect research, wealth screening, donor stewardship, and CRM management, coordinating with faculty, alumni, and advancement colleagues to