Development Specialist

South Coast Chinese Cultural Association; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

The South Coast Chinese Cultural Association in Irvine seeks a Development Specialist to strengthen fundraising operations, donor engagement, and grant support during a growth phase.

Reporting to the Director of Development & Communications, you will manage the Bloomerang donor database, process gifts, acknowledgments, and reporting, while supporting individual giving, institutional grants, and major event sponsorships for SCCCA's cultural programs and 50th anniversary initiatives.

Qualifications

• Approximately 2–4 years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with databases/CRM systems and reporting.
• Ability to produce clear reports and data summaries.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage SCCCA's donor database, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Support individual giving, donor stewardship, grants, and sponsorships.
• Assist with institutional funding initiatives and fundraising events.
• Coordinate donor cultivation activities and communications.
• Collaborate with departments to improve systems and processes.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Donor relations

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Bloomerang

Excel/Google Sheets

Job description

Department: Development & Communications

Reports to: Director of Development & Communications

Position Type: Full-Time, 40 hours per week, five days per week, occasional evening or weekend events and local travel may be required

Target Start Date: January 2027

About SCCCA

For 50 years, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association (SCCCA) has brought students, families, and community members together through Chinese language education, cultural programs, and shared experiences. Founded in 1976 by immigrant families seeking to preserve their language and heritage for future generations, SCCCA has grown into a vibrant community organization serving more than 30,000 individuals annually throughout Orange County.

Today, SCCCA offers a wide range of educational and cultural opportunities for all ages, including Irvine Chinese School, music, dance, martial arts, and community-wide cultural celebrations such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year Parade at Great Park, and Lantern Festival at Segerstrom Hall. As SCCCA celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is also looking toward the next generation, expanding opportunities for new generations of adults, including people of diverse backgrounds, to connect with Chinese heritage to foster cultural understanding.

Position Summary

SCCCA seeks a proactive, resourceful, and detail-oriented Development Specialist to strengthen our fundraising operations and donor engagement programs during an exciting period of growth.

Reporting to the Director of Development & Communications, the Development Specialist will manage SCCCA's donor database, including gift processing, acknowledgments, data management, and reporting. The position will also support individual giving, donor stewardship, institutional grants, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising initiatives associated with major cultural events.

The ideal candidate is a self-directed problem solver who takes initiative, manages projects from start to finish, and brings thoughtful solutions to challenges. Working closely with the Director and Development Manager, this individual will help establish effective systems and sustainable fundraising practices while contributing to SCCCA's vision for the next 50 years.

The Development Specialist will join a welcoming, culturally diverse team at the 44,000-square-foot South Coast Chinese Cultural Center in Irvine. Our vibrant campus brings together language education, cultural arts, and community activities, offering a unique opportunity to experience SCCCA's mission firsthand and contribute to a community where Chinese culture is learned, practiced, and shared.

Key Responsibilities

1. Development Operations, Donor Database & Reporting (40%)

• Serve as primary administrator of SCCCA's Bloomerang donor database, overseeing data entry, maintenance, accuracy, and reporting.
• Maintain donor and prospect records, including gifts, pledges, contact information, giving history, and engagement.
• Coordinate gift processing, contribution tracking, and reconciliation with Finance.
• Prepare donor acknowledgments, tax receipts, and correspondence.
• Conduct database cleanup, resolve duplicates, correct inconsistencies, and standardize data entry.
• Generate donor lists, mailing labels, reports, and exports for fundraising and authorized organizational needs.
• Analyze giving trends, campaign performance, and donor retention to support planning and decision-making.
• Support donor segmentation and targeted fundraising and stewardship communications.
• Maintain development records, calendars, and documentation.
• Identify improvements to database functionality, reporting, and workflows.

2. Individual Giving, Donor Stewardship & Legacy Giving (20%)

• Coordinate donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship activities.
• Support annual giving campaigns, appeals, and donor communications, including tracking and follow-up.
• Help cultivate relationships with longtime supporters, alumni, families, and community members.
• Support legacy giving through donor materials, prospect tracking, outreach, and follow-up.
• Research and track major donor prospects.
• Coordinate donor cultivation activities, gatherings, and engagement opportunities.
• Maintain donor communication and stewardship records in Bloomerang.

3. Grants & Institutional Funding Support (15%)

• Support the Development Manager in implementing SCCCA's institutional grants program.
• Research foundation, corporate, government, and other funding opportunities.
• Maintain grant prospects, application calendars, deadlines, and reporting schedules.
• Gather program information, impact data, budgets, and supporting documents for applications.
• Assist with application materials, attachments, and narratives.
• Coordinate with program staff and Finance on proposals and reports.
• Track submissions, funding decisions, reporting requirements, and follow-up.
• Maintain grant files and support funder correspondence.

4. Corporate Sponsorships & Community Partnerships Support (15%)

• Support the Director and Development Manager with sponsorships and community partnerships.
• Research prospective corporate sponsors and community partners.
• Prepare sponsorship proposals, presentations, and outreach materials.
• Track prospects, outreach, commitments, and follow-up.
• Support sponsorships for major events, including the Lunar New Year Parade and Lantern Festival.
• Coordinate sponsor benefits, recognition, fulfillment, and post-event reporting.
• Maintain sponsor relationships and track renewal opportunities.
• Support fundraising activities for SCCCA's 50th anniversary and major cultural events.
• Coordinate donor and sponsor invitations, recognition, stewardship, and fundraising materials.
• Assist with event preparation, donor tracking, contributions, and post-event follow-up.
• Collaborate with program and event teams on fundraising needs.
• Support special development projects and departmental initiatives as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to SCCCA's mission and community-centered work of preserving and promoting Chinese heritage, culture, and language.
• Approximately 2–4 years of relevant experience in nonprofit development, fundraising operations, donor relations, database administration, or related work.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Experience working with databases, CRM systems, spreadsheets, or other information management tools.
• Ability to organize, analyze, and present information clearly through reports, spreadsheets, and data summaries.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate comfortably with internal staff and external community members.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and ongoing responsibilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to identify opportunities for improving systems and processes.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively in a multilingual environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, particularly Excel or Google Sheets.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with volunteers and community partners.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Bloomerang or a comparable donor CRM.
• Experience with donor database management, gift processing, contribution reporting, and donor acknowledgments.
• Familiarity with donor data cleanup, segmentation, reporting, and fundraising analytics.
• Experience supporting individual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, or fundraising events.
• Experience assisting with grant research, application coordination, or institutional funding.
• Familiarity with Orange County's nonprofit and philanthropic community.
• Experience working in a cultural, educational, or community-based nonprofit organization.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is proactive, resourceful, and detail-oriented, with a strong interest in building effective systems and supporting meaningful donor relationships. They enjoy working with data and understand that accurate records, timely acknowledgments, and consistent follow-up are essential to successful fundraising.

This individual is comfortable taking ownership of day-to-day responsibilities, managing information carefully, and providing reliable support to colleagues. They can balance ongoing operational work with project-based assignments and communicate effectively across different teams.

We are looking for a self-directed thinker who can identify challenges, recommend practical solutions, and carry projects from beginning to end. The successful candidate will bring curiosity, initiative, and a collaborative spirit to a growing development department, with opportunities to expand their skills and responsibilities over time.

Benefits and Salary

• Starting Salary: $58,000 - $65,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off
• Annual professional development stipend available