Manager of Development

Mutternity Project; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mutternity Project in Los Angeles is seeking a Manager of Development to bridge the mission with essential resources for pregnant and nursing mothers and their puppies. You will identify opportunities, research them, and pursue them to sustain lifesaving programs.

You will lead grant writing, donor development, and fundraising campaigns while managing digital marketing, storytelling, events, and community outreach.

Qualifications

• Identify grants and draft narratives that capture Mutternity’s mission.
• Develop donors and manage long-term engagement.
• Design and run digital and community fundraising campaigns.
• Utilize CRM, email marketing, and project management tools to track outreach and donor data.
• Represent Mutternity to officials and local partners to build trust and visibility.

Responsibilities

• Grant research and writing for local, state, and private grants.
• Donor development and stewardship to foster long-term partnerships.
• Design and execute fundraising campaigns, both online and in the community.
• Digital marketing and storytelling across Mutternity’s platforms.
• Plan and execute fundraising, adoption, and community events, especially on weekends.

Skills

Grant writing

Donor development

Fundraising campaigns

Digital marketing

Event planning

Networking

Storytelling

Tools

CRM systems

Email marketing tools

Project management software

Job description

Mutternity Project is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit maternal dog rescue dedicated to creating safe, secure spaces for pregnant and nursing mothers and their puppies to grow, heal, and thrive. By pulling dogs from open-intake shelters throughout the LA area and placing them in Mutternity-supported foster and adoptive homes, Mutternity aims to bridge the gap in rescue that has allowed mothers and babies to slip through the cracks of the shelter system.

The Role

As our Manager of Development, you will serve as the bridge between Mutternity’s mission and the resources that make it possible. As a self-starter passionate about dog rescue and animal welfare, you’ll identify opportunities, research them, and pursue them.

• Grant Research & Writing: Identify local, state, and private grants and drafting narratives that capture Mutternity’s unique spirit.
• Donor Development and Stewardship: Turning one-time donors into long-term partners through thoughtful, continuous engagement.
• Fundraising Campaigns: Designing and executing digital and community-based campaigns that stand out from the “traditional” non-profit content.
• Tech-Savvy and Systems-Oriented: Comfortable learning and using a variety of digital platforms (e.g. CRM systems, email marketing tools, and project management software) to track outreach, manage donor data, and support organizational growth.
• Network Liaison: Act as a representative for Mutternity to elected officials, local businesses, and community organizations to create necessary trust and visibility.
• Digital Marketing & Storytelling: Own and execute Mutternity’s digital voice across platforms. Includes building and managing email campaigns, newsletters, and donor journeys that feel personal, creative, and mission-specific.
• Event Planning & Community Engagement: Lead the planning and execution of fundraising, adoption, and community events, primarily on weekends. Handle logistics, supply and animal coordination, event outreach, and on-site execution, ensuring every event feels intentional, welcoming, and impactful.

Support & Growth.

• Direct Strategic Support: You will work with a Development Consultant who provides high-level strategy, oversight, and professional mentorship to help you succeed.
• Room to Grow: As our funding targets are met, we anticipate this role transitioning into a full-time, higher-salaried position.

Requirements:

• West Side Availability : Must be available for in-person team days in Santa Monica. Must be available to plan and attend weekend events (at least twice a month).
• The “Startup” Mindset : Comfortable with ambiguity and excited by the “blank canvas” of a new nonprofit organization.
• Outreach : Comfortable leading outreach with confidence, whether that’s an email to a councilmember or a pitch to a local company or restaurant.
• Creativity : Thinks outside the box for fundraising and engagement.