KPBS Major Gifts Officer

San Diego State University; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 9,200 - 10,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

KPBS, affiliated with San Diego State University, seeks a Major Gifts Officer to lead fundraising efforts, manage a large donor portfolio, and secure substantial gifts. You will cultivate relationships, plan solicitations, and collaborate with leadership to advance KPBS missions on campus and in the community.

The role emphasizes frontline donor engagement, portfolio growth, and strategic communications, with a hybrid work arrangement and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Three years of professional fundraising experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain donor relationships and manage a large portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Acquire and upgrade Producers Club members and donors.
• Manage a portfolio of 150+ donors to secure annual and multi-year gifts.
• Develop donor solicitation strategies and coordinate stewardship activities.

Skills

Donor relations

Portfolio management

Communication

CRM

Fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The salary range for this position is $9,166.67 - $10,416.67 per month ($110,000 - $130,000 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is scheduled to close on 10/21/26 at 400pm (PST).

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming. KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego. Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience. It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide. The Development division at KPBS manages all aspects of major gifts, Campaign gifts, planned gifts, endowment gifts, and annual membership of the Producers Club to the station. The division plays a key role in raising awareness of KPBS programming and activities throughout the community.

Under the general guidance of the Senior Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for all aspects of major gift fundraising for the station. Primary responsibilities include acquiring and upgrading Producers Club members, as well as securing major, campaign, and planned gifts.

As KPBS continues to pursue several campaigns designed to secure the organization’s long-term success, this role plays an important part in advancing the mission of one of the nation's leading public media organizations.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/remote work flexibility options (varies by position)
• 10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s) (FSA)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for but not limited to

Fundraising & Portfolio Management (80%)

• Serve as frontline fundraiser and primary point of contact for assigned donors by developing and maintaining strong, long-term relationships
• Manage a portfolio of 150+ individual and foundation donors and prospects to secure annual and multi-year gifts of $10,000 or more
• Develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, and steward major gift donors and prospects
• Increase the number of major gift donors and upgrade the giving levels of existing donors, including Producers Club members and general membership donors
• Identify and strategically cultivate and solicit donors and prospects with a focus on expanding donor relationships
• Plan, schedule and conduct face-to-face meetings, station tours, and small cultivation events
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records and utilize CRM data and reports to monitor portfolio activity, identify opportunities, and inform fundraising strategies
• Partner with division leadership and staff to develop and execute donor solicitation strategies and secure gifts

Donor Communications, Stewardship & Collaboration (10%)

• Develop and write high-level gift and grant proposals, reports, and correspondence for prospective donors, including stewardship communications, renewal letters, and other donor communications
• Collaborate cross-functionally to create accurate and informative messaging that communicates key initiatives of the organization and strengthens donor engagement
• Assist with planning and coordinating cultivation and stewardship events and activities designed to deepen donor relationships, increase engagement, and strengthen investment in the station’s work

Other Duties & Responsibilities as Assigned (10%)

• Represent the station at events
• Support strategic initiatives and projects as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with donors and prospects
• Ability to manage a substantial portfolio of donors and prospects
• Demonstrated knowledge of major gift fundraising principles and best practices
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and tailor messaging to different audiences and individuals
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with donors, colleagues, and external partners
• Demonstrated ability to conduct donor solicitations and confidently engage individuals in discussions about financial support
• Knowledge of CRM systems and databases and ability to maintain accurate donor records and activity
• Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational, time management and project management skills; ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of and proficiency in professional phone and written communication, document preparation, and mail merge tools
• Demonstrated success in planning for and completing projects on time, on budget and within scope
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field, or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis

Minimum Experience

• Three years of professional work-related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications or advanced degree(s) in a related field, such as nonprofit management, communications or business
• Demonstrated experience and confidence in soliciting financial contributions and securing support.
• Thorough understanding of legal and tax considerations related to nonprofit giving, including corporate and deferred contributions
• Demonstrated ability to team atmosphere or demonstrated leadership abilities

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.