Director of Development

Overview

Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO Fund) seeks a full-time Director of Development to lead and execute the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This is a senior, results-oriented role responsible for advancing annual and long-term philanthropic revenue, strengthening donor relationships, and supporting SAMO Fund’s mission in close partnership with the Executive Director, Board, the National Park Service, and California State Parks.

SAMO Fund is a small, highly collaborative administrative team. The Director of Development must be comfortable wearing multiple hats, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, and adapting to evolving organizational needs.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Strategic Planning and Revenue Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year development plan to increase annual revenue, diversify funding sources, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
• Establish clear, measurable fundraising goals and performance indicators; regularly track progress and adjust strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board.
• Plan and implement fundraising objectives, strategies, budgets, initiatives, and timelines aligned with SAMO Fund priorities and partnerships with the National Park Service and California State Parks.
• Contribute to organizational planning by aligning development strategy with programmatic growth and capacity.

Donor Engagement and Prospect Strategy

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Oversee donor programs, including stewardship strategy, communications, logistics, and relationship management.
• Conduct prospect research and donor intelligence activities to prioritize outreach and align prospects with SAMO Fund initiatives.
• Oversee donor onboarding, retention, renewal, and acknowledgment processes.
• Develop a compelling case for support for SAMO Fund programs and initiatives.
• Create and implement a donor recognition plan.
• Strategically steward new and existing donors to deepen engagement and long-term commitment.
• Attend outreach events and meetings to cultivate relationships and identify new prospects.
• Provide a high level of professionalism and responsiveness to donors, partners, and the community.

Communications and Outreach

• Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement an annual donor-focused communications strategy.
• Oversee donor communications including newsletters, annual appeals, stewardship reports, and campaign materials.
• Prepare or coordinate production of mailings, brochures, annual reports, website content, and event materials in collaboration with graphic and communications support.
• Craft clear, compelling donor-centered stories that communicate impact.
• Cooperate closely with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the National Park Service, and California State Parks personnel.
• Serve as an external ambassador for SAMO Fund with donors, partners, and at select community events.

Events and Engagement

• Strategize, design, and manage donor and community engagement events, including annual fundraising events.
• Manage event budgets, logistics, timelines, and coordination of staff and volunteers.
• Support mission-based events that strengthen donor relationships and community connection.

Board and Committee Support

• Attend and coordinate Fundraising and Outreach Committee meetings in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Support committee members with materials, planning, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with Board members to support donor cultivation and fundraising initiatives.

CRM, Data, and Reporting

• Oversee effective use of the Little Green Light CRM to support donor stewardship, prospect tracking, reporting, and data-informed fundraising strategy.
• Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Maintain mailing lists and donor communications tools including Little Green Light and Mailchimp.
• Prepare regular fundraising reports for leadership and the Board, including progress toward revenue goals, donor engagement trends, and forecasting insights.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure gifts are properly recorded and reconciled.

Other Duties and Organizational Support

• Maintain awareness of National Park Service and California State Parks rules and procedures, Director’s Orders, SAMO Fund branding standards, and fundraising best practices.
• Participate as a collaborative member of a small administrative team, supporting shared organizational priorities as needed.
• Attend professional development opportunities to stay current with fundraising trends and practices.

Competencies and Attributes

• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding fundraising goals in a nonprofit environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills and high emotional intelligence when working with donors, board members, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker who is also comfortable with hands-on execution.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional judgment, discretion, and integrity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take initiative.
• Passion for national parks, public lands, and SAMO Fund’s mission.
• Interest in environmental conservation, public lands, or nonprofit work aligned with National Park Service and Santa Monica Mountains Fund programs.
• Familiarity with the National Park Service, California State Parks, or public–private partnerships.

Required Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies, campaigns, and donor communications.
• Success managing donor and prospect relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with donor software or CRMs, with Little Green Light preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Canva, Mailchimp, Adobe, and similar platforms.

Special Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Employees are required to drive a personal vehicle for official business.
• Must be willing to commute to various park locations within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and occasionally beyond the region.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and programs.
• Ability to walk up to a half mile on uneven terrain and lift up to 25 pounds.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000–$110,000 annually.
• Flat-rate healthcare insurance stipend.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.