Title: Director of Individual Giving
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Wage:Annual salary range of $130,000 – $145,000 base pay
Department: Philanthropy
Reports To: Vice President of Philanthropy
Position Location: California – Oakland, Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, Fresno
Work Schedule: Four-Day Work Week: Two (2) days in office, two (2) days remote. However, there may be certain circumstances, like pressing deadlines or peak business periods, where it becomes necessary for the organization to temporarily switch to a five-day work week.
This is one position, posted in five locations. The selected candidate can be based in our Oakland, Sacramento, Riverside, Fresno, or Los Angeles office.
WHY THIS ROLE, WHY NOW
Individual supporters are the foundation of a durable movement. Whether someone gives monthly or makes a significant annual commitment, every gift reflects the same thing: a belief in the work and a desire to be part of it. The strongest individual giving programs honor that belief. They build lasting relationships, keep supporters close to the work, and help every donor see the change they are making possible.
The Director of Individual Giving leads that work across our full donor base. This role oversees major gifts, annual giving, and events strategy. Raising funds across our C3, C4, and PAC entities, the Director shapes a strategy that grows individual revenue, keeps donors for the long term, and connects every supporter to bold climate and justice work. If you are a strategic fundraiser and team leader who wants your work to fuel real political power, we want to hear from you.
WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE DISTINCTIVE
- Four-day work week for most of the year, with five-day weeks during peak periods.
- Leadership of a full individual giving program, from small-dollar recurring donations to major gifts, across C3, C4, and PAC fundraising.
- The chance to build a planned giving program from the start and shape its long-term strategy.
- A leadership seat on the Philanthropy Team, working closely with the VP of Philanthropy on overall strategy and board fundraising.
- Work that matters: every donor you bring in fuels voter organizing, electing climate champions, and bold climate policy.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) with employer match, 12 days PTO, 12 holidays, a year-end office closure between Christmas and New Year, and additional benefits that support employee well-being and work-life balance.
POSITION SUMMARY
As a senior leader on the Philanthropy Team, the Director of Individual Giving reports to the Vice President of Philanthropy and is accountable for meeting annual individual giving revenue goals. The Director manages the Deputy Director of Major Gifts, the Development Associate, and part-time Fundraising Callers, building a team culture rooted in donor-centered care, collaboration, and growth. The role works closely with the VP of Philanthropy on fundraising strategy and with the communications team on online and direct mail campaigns. It also leads the design and launch of a revamped planned giving program. The Director sets goals, tracks performance, and uses donor data to guide decisions so the program becomes more effective every year.
KEY PRIORITIES
Lead major giving and PAC fundraising (50%)
- Manage a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects, raising $1.5M annually through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Oversee the individual major gifts program, including strategy, moves management, and revenue goals, in partnership with the Deputy Director of Major Gifts.
- Develop pipeline strategies that identify, qualify, and upgrade donors across all giving levels.
- Set PAC fundraising strategy with the VP, personally solicit PAC gifts, and coordinate PAC asks to donors across the team's portfolios.
Cultivate and steward donors through events (10%)
- Coordinate with the Associate Director of Events and Philanthropic Engagement so each event advances prospecting, solicitation, and stewardship goals.
- Engage donors at events and lead follow-up.
Build a strong annual giving program (15%)
- Direct the annual giving program, raising $500K annually with a focus on acquisition, retention, and upgrades.
- Produce three direct mail pieces a year, including managing the calendar, messaging, segmentation, vendor relationships, and results tracking.
- Oversee the Fundraising Callers program by directing strategy, scripts, lists, and metrics.
- Partner with the communications team on email and online fundraising campaigns.
- Draft the general donor update from the department's stewardship talking points.
Lead the team and strengthen operations (25%)
- Supervise, coach, and mentor the Deputy Director of Major Gifts, including weekly portfolio reviews, and oversee the Annual Giving team.
- Set metrics, track performance, and report on progress toward revenue goals.
- Set strategy for the Eco Power Caucus and establish the framework and policies for planned giving, both carried out day to day by the Deputy Director.
- Partner with the Database Manager to ensure clean data, accurate gift processing, and useful reporting in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
- Ensure individual giving practices meet compliance requirements for C3, C4, and PAC fundraising.
- Lead team meetings and internal coordination, and pursue ongoing professional development.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
- Seven or more years of fundraising experience, including at least five years leading an annual giving program and/or soliciting major gifts
- A proven record of personally cultivating and closing major gifts
- Experience with political, PAC, or advocacy fundraising and a working understanding of the differences between C3, C4, and PAC giving
- Experience managing and developing fundraising staff
- Working knowledge of multichannel fundraising, including direct mail, digital, phone, and events
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to set goals, segment donors, and measure results
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including compelling solicitations and donor communications
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or a similar CRM
- Discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality
- Passion for environmental protection, racial justice, and meaningful social change
ADDITIONAL STRENGTHS WE WELCOME
- Experience building or managing a planned giving program
- Experience with giving societies or leadership-level donor programs
- Familiarity with Community Centric Fundraising principles
- Background in nonprofit management, political science, communications, environmental science, or a related field
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW
California Environmental Voters and the California Environmental Voters Education Fund are committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
California Environmental Voters and the California Environmental Voters Education Fund have a deep commitment to equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. We invite and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from groups traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversifying our organization.
If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact [email protected].
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