WHO WE ARE
At Parks California, our vision is for vibrant, healthy parks that welcome, engage, and inspire. As the official statutory, nonprofit partner to California State Parks, working statewide, we’re uniquely positioned to innovate and work hand-in-hand with communities and experts to bring resources together — ensuring that everyone can experience healthy and thriving parks for generations to come. As a team, each of us at Parks California strives to:
- Be a valued and trusted partner organization.
- Serve as catalysts for the future of parks.
- Cultivate a culture of philanthropy.
- Model emotional and cultural intelligence in our work every day.
- Embody the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Parks California was created to be a new model of public, private, and non-profit partnership. We’re a proud partner of 1% for the Planet, a global network of thousands of businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet. We currently operate over 30 projects, which are funded by government, public-private partnership agreements as well as the generous support of private donations. Want to learn more? Check out our website.
OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENT
One of Parks California’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people develop talent and skills outside traditional job scopes, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Parks California is looking for a new Sr. Manager of Major Gifts. This role is being created to develop long-term relationships between Parks California and Major Donors for the purpose of raising funds to support the goals and the work of Parks California. The role will serve as a lead development resource for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift opportunities, with a focus on individual donors, as well as managing an assigned donor portfolio.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This role reports to the Senior Director of Development. This role will work cross-functionally with the Programs and Communications teams to achieve goals and desired outcomes.
OFFICE LOCATION
We are a remote-first organization, however, the person in this role must reside in California, preferably in the Northern California area.
TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS
The successful candidate must be able to travel within California approximately 25% of the year.
THE POSITION
- Fundraising Targets and Portfolio Management—Manages a portfolio of donors and prospects. Plans and leads outreach designed to build the organization’s donor base and grow overall individual philanthropy. Responsible for an assigned annual fundraising revenue goal, including both new gifts and renewals. Solicits assigned donor portfolio and prepares personalized development materials as needed.
- Prospect Development—Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward appropriate donors. Identifies potential prospects and partners with the Sr. Director of Development to solicit those prospects. Implements development programs and activities to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the $5,000 level or higher, with an emphasis on maximizing revenue for Parks California.
- Relationship Development—Develops ongoing relationships with major donors. Accountable for cultivating relationships with individual donors and their associated Family Foundations, where applicable. Supports volunteer leaders in peer-to-peer outreach as appropriate.
- Updates and tracks donor records in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, Little Green Light.
- Works with the Operations and Finance team to ensure accurate gift acceptance and recording.
- Executes other duties as assigned to drive and fulfill Parks California’s mission.
- Develops and manages a portfolio of 150+ donors and prospects, including individuals and family foundations.
- Creates individual goals for each donor based on the donor’s giving history and knowledge of the donor’s potential.
- Creates individual “moves management” plans for each donor in the portfolio and consistently executes them in a timely manner so that donors are retained and upgraded.
- Creates briefings, proposal materials, and other donor communications.
- Produces regional donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities, such as small events or briefings.
- Builds strong relationships with the Parks California Programs, Communications and Finance Teams and others to acquire the information needed to effectively engage major donors.
QUALIFICATIONS
What You’ll Bring
- Deep commitment to our values, mission and core values; and dedication to continuous listening and learning to increase cultural competency on a personal and organizational level.
- Minimum of 5 years demonstrated major gifts experience, with a successful track record of securing $5,000 + gifts, preferably within the non-profit sector.
- Demonstrated ability to interact directly and frequently with donors and other constituents at all levels, and able to build and maintain productive working relationships with them.
- Adept at implementing strategic fundraising plans.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills and able to get along with diverse personalities.
- Flexible working within changing priorities with enthusiasm and patience.
- Strong technical skills, including but not limited to CRM, online software platforms, and business applications such as MS 365.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- This is a full-time annual salaried position of $95,000 – $115,000
- We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
- 401K plan with employer match up to 5% and no waiting period
- $150 per month reimbursement for home Internet and mobile phone service
- Annual CA State Park Pass
- 20 days paid vacation, increasing to 23 days after 2 years
- 10 paid sick days
- 15 paid holidays
- flexible, family-friendly schedule
- medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, group and voluntary life insurance, EAP training and development resources
APPLY
Please submit a current resume and cover letter by visiting HERE.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter by April 27, 2025.
ANTICIPATED START DATE
Early June
