Development Manager

Reports to: Director of Development

Location: Pasadena, CA

About the Pasadena Educational Foundation

The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) builds dynamic community partnerships and mobilizes philanthropic investment to support excellence, innovation, and equity across Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). Raising $12-15 million per year, PEF is entering a pivotal new chapter—expanding individual and institutional support, engaging new partners, and advancing initiatives that enhance student academic achievement, arts and music, athletics, mental health and wellness, and career and college opportunities for every student.

PEF is a deeply collaborative team where every staff member rolls up their sleeves, supports one another, and shares a genuine commitment to public education. People choose PEF because they care deeply about students and about strengthening our community.

Position Summary

The Development Manager is a creative and entrepreneurial fundraiser who will help drive the next era of growth for PEF by expanding and elevating its comprehensive fundraising program. Reporting to the Director of Development, this individual will craft and implement strategies to grow individual giving, engage and inspire the Board, partner closely with parents and PUSD colleagues, and build lasting partnerships across the greater Pasadena area’s philanthropic, corporate, and civic communities

The ideal candidate is a thoughtful, hands-on fundraiser who enjoys building relationships, supporting new ideas, and helping bring others into PEF’s work. The Manager will thrive in an environment where creativity, humility, and teamwork are deeply valued. This is an opportunity to join a highly respected community organization at a time of strong momentum and growing impact.

The Development Manager also supervises the Senior Development Associates who manage the operational backbone of the department, including DonorPerfect database administration, prospect research, gift processing, and development systems.

Key Responsibilities

Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship

• Support the execution of PEF’s individual giving program, including direct mail and email campaigns, appeals, and ongoing fundraising from individual donors at all levels.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Director of Development to support major donor relationships, helping ensure timely, thoughtful follow-up, stewardship, and coordination.
• Prepare donor communications, acknowledgements, briefings, and follow-up materials that reflect care, accuracy, and PEF’s values.
• Track donor activity, communications, and next steps in DonorPerfect, supporting strong systems and consistent follow-through.

Fundraising Events & Donor Engagement

• Manage the planning and execution of all PEF fundraising and donor engagement events, including Celebrating Our Schools and other cultivation, recognition, and stewardship events.
• Oversee event logistics, timelines, budgets, and coordination with staff, vendors, volunteers, and board members.
• Support event-related fundraising efforts, including sponsorship outreach, guest engagement, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with internal staff leaders and board to expand creative donor engagement opportunities, including small gatherings, home-based events, and peer-led cultivation.

School Annual Funds

• Serve as a key liaison to school-based annual fund leaders and parent volunteers across the district.
• Provide onboarding, guidance, tools, and encouragement to new and returning annual fund leaders to support effective fundraising at each school and an understanding of PEF’s role and programs.
• Support communication, coordination, and best-practice sharing across schools to help maximize results for both schools and PEF.

Corporate Outreach

• Support the development and implementation of a more intentional corporate outreach strategy focused on Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley businesses.
• Work closely with PEF’s Community Engagement team to align corporate volunteer engagement with philanthropic and sponsorship opportunities.
• Assist in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding corporate partners through events, sponsorships, and ongoing relationship management.

Development Operations

• Supervise and support two Development Associates responsible for DonorPerfect database management, prospect research, gift processing, data entry, reporting, and operational workflows.
• Ensure strong data integrity, timely gift acknowledgement, and accurate tracking of donor activity and engagement.
• Partner with the Director of Development to strengthen reporting, portfolio management, prospect tracking, and performance metrics.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit development or fundraising, with demonstrated success supporting individual giving, donor engagement, or related fundraising activities.
• Experience supporting volunteer, board, or committee engagement in fundraising or donor relations.
• Strong writing and editing skills with high attention to detail; able to produce accurate, polished donor communications and manage follow-up reliably.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable taking initiative in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills; genuinely enjoys engaging with people one-on-one and in group settings.
• A collaborative, grounded, and humble working style that thrives in a small, mission-driven team.
• Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems (DonorPerfect preferred) and comfort using data to track progress and inform next steps.
• Familiarity with Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley philanthropic or community networks a plus.
• Passion for educational equity and a strong belief in the power of public education.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Pasadena, CA,. Some evening and weekend events are required. This is an exempt position, offering a competitive salary: range $75,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, employer contributions to a retirement plan (after the first year of employment), and a generous paid vacation/holiday/sick leave package.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

1. Position may require occasional evening and weekend work to meet donors, deadlines, or attend fundraising events.
2. The role is primarily in-office with some travel to meet funders and stakeholders as needed.
3. Ability to process complex verbal and written instructions in a fast paced environment
4. Proficiency using standard office equipment - phone, computer, email, copier, etc.
5. Position requires sitting, standing or speaking for extended periods during the day

This is an exempt position, offering a competitive salary range: $75,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, employer contributions to a retirement plan (after the first year of employment), and a generous paid vacation/holiday/sick leave package.