Advancement Director

Call of the Sea seeks an Advancement Director to lead Business Development, Fundraising, Grant Writing, Sponsorship Cultivation, and Special Event Planning.

Call of the Sea is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing on-the-water environmental education since 1984. Our mission is to expand ocean access and deepen understanding of marine conservation and nautical heritage. We empower student of all ages and backgrounds to become environmental stewards and transform their world through science-based learning experiences on board our traditionally rigged tall ships, the brigantine Matthew Turner and schooner Seaward.

The Advancement Director will enhance revenue streams and expand financial support for Call of the Sea’s programs and initiatives through successful donor cultivation, grant writing, and sponsorship cultivation for Call of the Sea’s annual Gala and other special events.The ideal candidate will also assist the Executive Director and Board of Directors with Vision and Messaging Strategy and its implementation.

Compensation: $5,000/month. This is a half-time position (20 hours/week). This is a permanent position, initially offered at .50 FTE and envisioned as a full-time salaried position with benefits to be extended with demonstrated success in the first year.

To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@callofthesea.org Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Application deadline is February 15, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Development
  • • Assess current fundraising activities and identify areas for growth.
    • Develop core business development and fundraising strategy.
    • Set annual and quarterly fundraising targets.
    • Renew and strengthen relationships with longtime donors.
    • Start relationships with new donors: Identify and research prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Use automated processes to increase donor interaction.
    • Develop tailored engagement plans to maximize high-potential donors.
• Implement donor stewardship activities, including thank-you letters, impact reports, and personalized communications

• Fundraising Campaigns
  • • Plan and execute major fundraising campaigns, including year-end giving, capital campaigns, and special appeals such as planned giving.
    • Use multi-channel approaches, including email, social media, and events, analyze results.
    • Track and analyze campaign performance to optimize future efforts. Automate where possible. Maintain human touch as needed.
    • Grant Writing
  • Identify grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
  • Prepare and submit compelling grant proposals.
• Sponsorship Development/Special Events
  • • Develop a sponsorship strategy for the annual gala and other events.
    • Create sponsorship packages with varying levels of benefits and recognition opportunities.
    • Set sponsorship revenue targets.
    • Identify potential corporate and individual sponsors aligned with Call of the Sea’s mission and event goals.
    • Conduct outreach to potential sponsors through personalized proposals, meetings, and presentations.
  • Event Planning and Execution
    • Secure high-end auction items.
    • Manage auction contractors and elements.
    • Manage delivery of sponsor benefits.
    • Coordinate sponsor recognition in event materials, signage, and during the event.
    • Provide post-event reports to sponsors detailing the impact and success of the gala.
• Administration
  • Maintain and update donor database with accurate and detailed information.
  • Generate reports to track fundraising progress and donor engagement.
  • Manage grant reporting and compliance requirements.
  • Design monitoring and evaluation frameworks that measure baseline performance and show impact on environment and youth impact.
  • Establish performance indicators and metrics for success.
  • Align Call of the Sea web materials with impact-focused language.
  • Identify opportunities for messaging improvement based on evaluation findings.
  • Share best practices and lessons learned with the team and partners.
  • Implement changes to enhance advancement effectiveness and efficiency.

Qualifications:

• 2-3 years experience in development preferred
• Relationship-building capabilities to nurture partnerships with donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
• High energy and enthusiasm to inspire trust and motivate others.
• Engagement and presence to maintain focus and dedication in all interactions.
• Natural organizational skills to handle complex projects and ensure follow-through.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication for donor outreach, proposals, and internal updates.
  • Proficiency in fundraising strategies and techniques to secure diverse revenue streams.
  • Knowledge of accounting and reporting tools to track and analyze financial data.
  • Event planning and management skills to oversee or support engaging and successful fundraising events.
  • Technical proficiency in donor management software to optimize donor tracking and campaign efficiency.
• Personal and/or professional connections with greater Bay Area communities we serve a plus.
• Interest in environmental conservation and marine science and youth education desirable.
• Background in sailing, nautical heritage, and on-the-water activities desirable.

Call of the Sea understands that qualified applicants may not have experience in all areas mentioned. If you have a strong interest in this position and meet a significant portion of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Call of the Sea abides by California and Federal law in regard to protected status of any type. These policies include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and members of the public.

English - Proficiency in writing and speaking