Donor Relations Officer (CCF)

The California Community Foundation (CCF) is a nonprofit grantmaking foundation that administers almost 1,600 individual charitable funds to meet existing and emerging needs in the Greater Los Angeles area. CCF is one of the largest and fastest growing community foundations in the United States. With assets of more than $1.6 billion, CCF has awarded more than $1.6 billion in grants and received more than $1.8 billion in contributions over the past ten years. Since 1915, CCF has been helping individuals, families, corporations and nonprofits establish and develop their philanthropic visions.

We envision a future where all Angelenos thrive – a future where the productive capabilities of Angelenos contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. The fate and future of every resident is interwoven, and our success as a community will be defined by how we improve the quality of life of all residents, especially our most vulnerable. We also envision a future in which more donors impact the challenges of Los Angeles and beyond, fulfilling their passions and creating a diverse spectrum of opportunities and philanthropic legacies.

For 100 years, the passion of our living and legacy donors has defined and built the California Community Foundation. Their generosity and dreams for a better tomorrow make our drive for meaningful social change possible. We partner with individuals and families to not only pursue their own personal passions but to collaborate with us, along with the public, private and nonprofit sectors, in transforming Los Angeles County.

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, the Donor Relations Officer is part of the Development and Donor Relations (DDR) external fundraising team responsible for developing and strengthening long-term relationships on behalf of the California Community Foundation (CCF) with key donors, prospects and fund advisors, including leading one-on-one consultations, advising on best practices in philanthropic giving, and strategically adding value to the CCF donor experience through aligned giving opportunities. This position requires an individual who can prioritize and multi-task while maintaining a high level of client service. It also requires an individual who can identify and offer solutions to isolated and systemic problems.

Major Responsibilities

• Donor and Prospect Outreach & Engagement: Proactively and systemically develops and strengthens long-term relationships with an assigned portfolio of existing donors, prospects and fund advisors. Advises donors as they build a giving plan and philosophy, by assisting in the development of a meaningful vision, offering information on best practices in giving. Conducts outreach, advisory and relations activities with the end goal of establishing CCF as the preferred philanthropic vehicle in addition to cultivating donors with high potential to align with CCF priority giving areas. Collaborates with other department members to leverage opportunities, build awareness, develop value-added engagement and facilitate meaningful engagement experiences for donors.
• Fundraising: Responsible for contributing to the CCF established annual fundraising goals as an individual contributor. Develops and manages the implementation of individualized strategies and plans for top donors and prospects. Fundraising metrics include contributions, legacy gifts and aligned giving to CCF initiatives and focus areas. Serves as a “moves manager” for a portfolio of assigned donor fund holders.
• Campaign Management: Participates as an integral member of interdepartmental teams for the purpose of increasing legacy, discretionary and aligned giving from foundation donors and prospects. This includes co-leading, in conjunction with a grant maker, the development of at least one assigned campaign strategy, messaging and metrics, as well as donor solicitation, events and evaluation. Assigned campaigns may include but are not limited to the following subject areas: education pipeline, immigration, health, youth development, and housing.
• Mission Orientation: Passionate and fluent in describing the trends, challenges and solutions addressed within the foundation’s key areas of grantmaking. Stays current on developments affecting low-income and vulnerable populations in greater Los Angeles, with particular focus to education, immigrant integration, health, housing and youth development issues. Skilled at connecting funders to opportunities to achieve positive social change in these areas and others, while simultaneously achieving the donor’s vision.
• Fund and Grants Management: Understands and can speak to the laws and regulations affecting charitable grantmaking, particularly from donor advised and scholarship funds as well as supporting organizations. Proficient in the use of the foundation’s internal and external constituent and grants management technologies.
• Management: Serves as a member of the foundation’s management team, attending management team meetings, completing assignments as required and coordinating work between departments and with external vendors, as necessary. Identifies and pursues opportunities for internal integration of work across functions and departments to make connections and leverage the strengths and efforts of CCF.
• General: As appropriate, assists other departments and works as a member of interdepartmental teams to ensure the effective and efficient operations of CCF. At all times, demonstrates cooperative behavior with supervisors and coworkers. Other duties as assigned, dependent on organizational needs and employee skills.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function assigned satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Experience: 5-7 years’ experience in a donor relations, alumni relations or similar setting preferred. Experience in major gift solicitation with a proven track record in strategizing the solicitation of high-level donors.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree and/or applicable sales/fundraising experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Philanthropic Practices: Strong knowledge of grantmaking processes and the nonprofit community in Los Angeles County.
• Communication and Relationship Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills. Superior and proven customer services skills. Ability to secure the confidence of top donors and prospects through long-term relationship building activities in order to facilitate contributions to donor funds and CCF initiatives.
• Technology Skills: Internet competency and strong computer proficiency, including mastery of the Microsoft Office software suite and a familiarity with database software, is required. Experience with client management databases is preferred. Willingness and ability to learn appropriate database, spreadsheet and other computer programs.
• Project Management Skills: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize work and adjust to multiple demands. Demonstrated ability to follow tasks through to completion in a timely manner.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze and constantly improve on grantmaking, operations and other systems.
• Team Work & General Skills: Ability to work well independently and as team member. Ability to take initiative and follow tasks through to completion.

Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to sit and work at a desk for several hours at a time.
• Requires the ability to travel and attend meetings, presentations and events outside the office, which may require occasional use of a motor vehicle for transportation to other locations.
• Due to the nature of external appointments and/or responsibilities requiring travel to locations not easily accessible by public transportation, driving is an essential job responsibility for this position.
• This position is required to be available to speak with clients and/or others while away from the office and/or with clients and/or others located in other time zones outside Foundation business hours.
• Work may require occasional weekends and/or extended work day.
• Punctuality and satisfactory attendance are essential functions of the job.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications. A generous benefit package is provided to all full-time staff, including medical, dental, vision, LTD, life, FSAs and retirement benefits.