Development Officer

About the organization:

Located in Sonoma, California, Charlie’s Acres is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the care of rescued farmed animals who were previously abused or destined for the dinner table. We serve as a sanctuary where our 150 animal residents can live out their natural lives in peace and as a venue for showing the general public that these complex, sensitive beings deserve our compassion. Whether it’s through life-saving rescue, compassionate education, emergency response, or ongoing care, Charlie’s Acres is building a world where animals are valued for who they are, not what they produce.

About the role:

The Development Officer plays a critical role in advancing Charlie’s Acres’ fundraising efforts by managing accurate donor records, executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy, and building and stewarding a strong portfolio of donors. This position is responsible for growing the donor base and developing a sustainable pipeline of donor prospects through strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

The Development Officer will actively develop individualized donor engagement and stewardship plans, and work to deepen long-term donor relationships that increase retention and giving over time. In close collaboration with the fundraising support team and Sanctuary Director, the Development Officer will provide strategic guidance and leadership to strengthen fundraising systems, inform fundraising priorities, and support the overall growth and financial sustainability of the organization.

Essential Functions

Donor Relations and Prospecting:

• Develop a portfolio of major donors and prospects based on gift histories, research, referrals, and other sources.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors with an emphasis on gifts of $2,500+.
• Cultivate, qualify, directly solicit, and steward a portfolio of 50 – 75 donors, which include new donors/prospects.
• Create solicitation goals for each donor and prospect in the portfolio.
• Create and execute a strategic plan for each donor based on knowledge of the donor's passions, interests, capacity, philanthropy behavior in collaboratively with the fundraising support team.
• In coordination with the Sanctuary Director and Founder, develop an overall annual fundraising goal.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:

• Cultivate meaningful relationships with donors and prospects through regular communications and in-person meetings or video visits when necessary.
• Ensure prompt donor acknowledgements and appropriate personalization.
• Work collaboratively across teams to compile appropriate program and budget information, and create compelling proposals for donors.

Records Management and Reporting

• Maintain the donor database/CRM by recording all significant donor contacts, activities, and strategies, keeping contact information up to date.
• Create regular reports on progress, activities, and other relevant metrics.

Events

• Plan cultivation and stewardship events with team support, per overall fundraising plan.
• Support and provide leadership for fundraising events.

Requirements and skills

• Experience cultivating and closing four and five figure major gifts; developing and executing donor strategies, and effectively cultivating and stewarding major donors.
• Ability to use AI and productivity tools to support higher outreach and engagement goals, recognizing that technology enables scale while human connection drives donor relationships.
• Ability to work with and communicate with a wide range of internal constituents including board members, staff, volunteers, and outside vendors.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to persuasively convey the mission of Charlie’s Acres.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, with regular weekend availability.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be proficient in basic donor/prospect research and relevant analysis, including navigation of databases and online resources.
• Strong working knowledge of the broad philanthropic landscape, including industry best practices and evolving trends in philanthropy.
• Deep alignment with Charlie’s Acres mission.

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated frontline nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Understanding of common industry databases and software including, but not limited to: Bloomerang Fundraising, Bloomerang CRM; Asana; Google Workspace.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the Development Officer role and your alignment with Charlie’s Acres’ mission to kate@charliesacres.org.

Benefits:

80/hours a year for PTO

40/hours a year for holiday flex time

Paid sick time - accrued throughout the year

Medical and Dental Coverage

403(b)

English: Fluent or native speaker