Development Manager

Who We Are

At the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF), we are guided by both a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to the well-being of our community. With a deep understanding of our region and the nimbleness to adapt as priorities shift, we respond quickly to Pasadena’s needs in ways that are impactful and meaningful. Our efforts ensure that resources go to strategic local efforts and effective organizations – whether they’re urgent, long-term, or something in between.

PCF is here to support and guide our community, whether that is meeting with a donor’s family, answering local nonprofit questions, or simply being a charitable resource. For us, it is about being reliable, compassionate, and staying focused on the long-term welfare of the greater Pasadena communities. With PCF, our donors and partners have a constant philanthropic guide who will help them make a positive impact built to last.

What We Do

For over 70 years, PCF has served the greater Pasadena area by building strong relationships with donors, offering exceptional stewardship of entrusted funds, and connecting donors to meaningful causes that enrich the community. With over $280 million in assets under management, of which over half are endowed, PCF provides diverse giving options and robust support for local nonprofits. Altogether, we manage over 450 funds created by philanthropic individuals, families, and visionary nonprofit agencies.

Our grants and programs make strategic investments to cultivate vibrant, inclusive communities by advancing cultural and educational enrichment, promoting social and economic well-being, and championing environmental stewardship and animal welfare. Since our founding in 1953, we have awarded more than $158.3 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, and remain dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant community for Pasadena’s future.

In response to the tragic and devastating Eaton Fire in January 2025, PCF created the Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund to provide flexible support to local nonprofit organizations as they respond to the impacted community. PCF activated quickly and began working with trusted nonprofit partners to provide immediate relief services such as food, shelter, rent assistance, emergency childcare, and medical care. We are committed to these efforts for the long term.

Simultaneously, PCF also established the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (ABBF) to focus on the long-term recovery of Altadena. The supporting organization assists in the leadership and funding of the rebuilding of Altadena through a community-centered process that reflects the strengths, opportunities, and priorities of those directly impacted by the disaster. The resources of ABBF are focused on the broad issue of housing, with priority to preserve the demographic, socioeconomic, and creative diversity that has always been woven into the fabric of Altadena.

LOCATION

This is a hybrid role based in the heart of Pasadena. PCF is located at 301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 810, Pasadena, CA 91101.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Manager is a strategic fundraising professional who partners closely with the VP of Philanthropy to advance Pasadena Community Foundation’s philanthropic growth. This role is responsible for engaging, cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, supporting new fund development, and contributing to fundraising strategy and campaign execution.

The Development Manager manages an active portfolio of donors and prospects while ensuring strong development operations infrastructure, including event planning, data integrity, reporting, and campaign tracking within Foundant CommunitySuite. This position plays a critical role in integrating front-facing relationship fundraising strategy and systems discipline to strengthen and scale PCF’s philanthropic efforts.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage and Grow a Donor Portfolio

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward an assigned portfolio of individual donors and fundholders through in-person visits, calls, and written communication.
• Identify opportunities for additional gifts, fund growth, planned giving, and increased engagement.
• Develop and implement individualized engagement strategies in partnership with the VP of Philanthropy.
• Engage directly in conversations with donors about new fund opportunities and guide thoughtful, relationship-driven cultivation strategies.

Advance Fundraising Strategy and Campaign Execution

• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy to plan and implement annual fundraising strategies and campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing & Communications to align messaging, appeals, and donor communications.
• Contribute to prospect research and pipeline development efforts.
• Track campaign performance and recommend strategic adjustments based on data and results.

Strengthen Development Operations and Data Integrity

• Serve as internal expert in Foundant CommunitySuite for development reporting, segmentation, campaign tracking, and portfolio management.
• Ensure accurate donor records, moves management documentation, and reporting discipline.
• Generate actionable reports to inform fundraising strategy, board reporting, and donor engagement.
• Continuously improve development processes and data best practices.

Support Fund Establishment and Donor Documentation

• Coordinate preparation of fund agreements, Memorandums of Charitable Intent (MOCI), and related donor documentation.
• Support due diligence and onboarding for new funds in collaboration with leadership and finance.
• Ensure smooth transitions from cultivation to fund activation.

Lead and Execute Foundation Events and Engagement Opportunities

• Support strategy and execution for donor-facing events, including sponsorship outreach.
• Manage event-related donor engagement plans, tracking follow-up actions and cultivation opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure events advance fundraising objectives.

Contribute to Organizational Advancement Strategy

• Represent the Foundation professionally in community settings and networking opportunities.
• Participate in advancement team planning and strategic discussions.
• Provide insights based on donor trends, data, and field engagement.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong donor cultivation experience, including comfort with direct solicitation.
• Strategic and creative thinker with the ability to translate data into action.
• Proficiency in CRM/database systems (Foundant CommunitySuite experience preferred).
• Strong project management, organizational, event planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative team player with cross-functional partnership skills.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5–7 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in fundraising, donor relations, or philanthropic engagement.
• Demonstrated success managing donor relationships and contributing to revenue growth.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, philanthropic, or community foundation environment preferred.

Extras:

• CFRE

Pasadena Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse team and inclusive culture. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us.

• 100% paid medical/dental/vision coverage for employee
• Life insurance and short and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 15% employer contribution
• PTO: 2 weeks of accrued vacation, 8 accrued sick leave, 12 paid holidays, and 2 personal floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Years of Service Program (including 10-week sabbatical after 10 years of service)
• Paid parking space
• Paid professional development opportunities
• Employee Donation Matching Program

Fluent English