Director of Development and Major Gifts

Director of Development and Major Gifts

Full-time, Exempt

Job Description

The Peninsula College Fund makes college graduation a reality for low-income, first-generation college students. Our comprehensive program includes four-year college scholarships, one-to-one adult mentors, college and career success training, and summer internship support.

MISSION

Our mission is to empower low-income, first-generation college students to graduate and obtain a job that aligns with their career goals.

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Starting as a grassroots effort to support three scholars in 2005, PCF has steadily grown and today has served over 500 students and awarded over $12 million in scholarships and wraparound services. PCF operated as a completely volunteer-run agency until late 2010, and currently employs a small staff. We support our scholars through four key programs: Scholarships: Each student receives a scholarship of $3,000/year for each of the four years enrolled in a four-year college/university. One-to-One Mentoring: We carefully match each scholar with one caring adult who provides support, counsel, networking, and positive role modeling to help each student complete college. We provide our mentors with on-going training and continuously evaluate and improve our mentoring program. College and Career Success Trainings: We provide all students with targeted, in-depth training events to give them the tools for college completion and career readiness. Summer Internships: We provide internship application support for our scholars, ideally for summer internship placements.

The Peninsula College Fund (PCF) is seeking an experienced individual to fill the role of Director of Development and Major Gifts. Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Director of Development and Major Gifts (Director) will spearhead development efforts as PCF continues to grow. As the principal contact for members of PCF’s donor community, the Director must be adept at stewarding relationships with existing donors, and be able to cultivate support from prospects, including individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. The ideal candidate will have major gift experience across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and will have a demonstrated track record of raising $2-5 million annually. The Director of Development and Major Gifts currently manages a Development Specialist. Essential Job Functions The Director of Development and Major Gifts is responsible for forecasting and achieving PCF’s revenue objectives by developing and implementing a fundraising strategy, including the retention of existing donors and the acquisition of new major donors, that achieves near-term goals while also establishing and pursuing strategic goals.

Strategic

• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and participate in Board meetings with shared responsibility for achieving the organization's vision and goals.
• Develop, diversify, and implement the strategic fundraising direction of the organization to increase financial support in line with PCF’s overall strategy and goals.
• Combine high-level strategy with hands-on implementation and foster relationships to support PCF’s sustainability and strategic growth Supervise development staff and collaborate across departments and teams to further PCF’s vision and mission.
• Coordinate development activities with other facets of the organization, particularly communications and finance Build a communications strategy (including social media, newsletters and promotional materials) towards raising PCF’s profile amongst funders and donors.

Individual Donors

• Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with PCF’s goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure (in partnership with the Executive Director) new major donors contributing at the $25,000+ annual level.
• Actively manage a portfolio of 150-200 relationships, including prospecting, stewarding current relationships and following development best practices
• Annually create and implement a fundraising plan, with a goal of developing effective methods and strategies to increase PCF’s overall fundraising effectiveness over time.
• Support the involvement of PCF’s Board as active partners in the fundraising process, and provide leadership for the Board’s Development Committee.
• Create effective donor and prospect communication strategy, calendar, and content.
• Work closely with Events Lead, managing VIP ticket sales and seating at PCF events; participate in and support donor events and community gatherings to help grow the organization’s visibility and relationships.
• Ensure that contributions and donor data are properly maintained in PCF’s donor database, including monthly reconciliation of contributions with PCF’s Accountant.
• Ensure that gifts are acknowledged and documented in a prompt and appropriate manner, and regularly report to the Executive Director on progress toward fundraising goals.
• Research and identify new major donor prospects in coordination with the Executive Director, PCF board members, and the development committee.

Institutional Funders (Foundation and Corporate)

• Research, write, submit, and document effective letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and corresponding grant reports.
• Maintain and manage a detailed calendar of preparation and deadline submission dates for foundation grants and reports and other gift prospects.
• Lead and partner with the Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of foundation and corporate donors

Administration

• Ensure effective data tracking and systems: Oversee the evaluation of systems to support development and inform data-driven planning. .
• Oversee monthly reconciliation of contributions and donor records with PCF’s Accountant to ensure that grants and gifts are properly coded and in agreement with the general ledger.
• Ensure accurate donor recognition and acknowledgment in print and online.
• Ensure that high quality supplemental grant materials, such as thank you letters from scholarship recipients, letters of support, etc. are current.
• Ensure that development-related areas of PCF’s website and social media platforms are current, accurate, and well written.
• Participate as may be requested or required when “all hands-on deck” are needed to support PCF events, including the College Kick-Off Weekend, Career Exploration Fair, and other all-organization events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in major gifts or related fundraising roles, with a successful record of securing six-figure gifts.
• Strong connections to Bay Area individuals, corporations, and foundations with the capacity to make significant gifts.
• Proven ability to cultivate relationships and close six-figure gifts.
• Experience with a wealth-intelligence and prospect research platform (e.g., WealthEngine, iWave, etc.) used by nonprofits is a plus
• Excellent communication, presentation, and strategic planning skills.
• A deep belief in the importance of expanding access to higher education for first-generation, low-income students.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with high initiative, follow-through, and comfort working in a small, collaborative team.
• Strong alignment with the mission of expanding educational access for low-income, first-generation students.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

We have a hands-on, collaborative, and entrepreneurial work environment. We believe in an inclusive work environment that fosters individual growth and team empowerment. While we take our work very seriously, we also like to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. We have a sunshine committee that plans fun events (that usually involve food!) for staff. Standard office environment. Some travel to various venues for events and for meeting with donors. Availability for non-traditional hours including weeknights and weekends on a limited basis required.

Work Locations

This position will be based out of our San Jose office.

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits – San Jose

1400 Parkmoor Avenue San Jose, CA 95126

PCF currently works a hybrid schedule with the expectation that you are in office 1-2 times per week.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Peninsula College Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 annually We offer a generous benefits package: Leave: 12 days of vacation (more days accrued with tenure), 12 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days and a flexible work schedule when needed. Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits: We currently pay 100% of all premiums for eligible employees. 403(b) Retirement Plan. This is a full-time, 40 hr./week exempt position.

OUR HIRING AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a resume and cover letter as part of your application. We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We will conduct short phone screening interviews and in-person interviews.

Finalists will be invited to a round of in-person interviews, and we will make an offer shortly thereafter.

We would like to have the Director of Development and Major Gifts to start as soon as possible.

In your cover letter, please address the following:

• Your belief in PCF’s mission
• Why you believe you are qualified for this position
• Your track record in securing major gifts
• Where you learned of this opportunity

No phone calls, please.

Application deadline open until filled.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Peninsula College Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 annually We offer a generous benefits package: Leave: 12 days of vacation (more days accrued with tenure), 12 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days and a flexible work schedule when needed. Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits: We currently pay 100% of all premiums for eligible employees. 403(b) Retirement Plan. This is a full-time, 40 hr./week exempt position.