Philanthropy Officer at Point Blue Conservation Science
Location: Position is based out of Point Blue's Headquarters in Petaluma, California. There is the potential to work remotely, with approximately two to three days per week in the Petaluma office.
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
Deadline to Apply: CURRENTLY INTERVIEWING
Compensation and Benefits: Salary Range $110,000.00 to $130,000.00. Point Blue is a fast-growing, collaborative team of scientists and professional staff committed to making a real difference through our shared work. We provide a hybrid work-environment in a beautiful work setting. You will accrue vacation in the amount of eighteen (18) days each calendar year in accordance with Point Blue policy. Other paid time off includes twelve (12) sick days and eight (8) paid holidays per calendar year. Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid medical and dental for staff and 75% for dependents. Other benefits include life insurance, long- and short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and 401(k) retirement plan with discretionary matching contributions from Point Blue.
About Point Blue:
Point Blue Conservation Science is an internationally recognized nonprofit advancing conservation through science, partnerships, and community engagement. Our scientists and staff work across California and beyond to address some of today’s most pressing conservation challenges, conserving wildlife, restoring ecosystems, supporting climate resilience, and helping communities and working lands thrive. With approximately 160 staff members and over 60 years of impact, Point Blue combines rigorous science with practical solutions that benefit birds, other wildlife, and people.
We are committed to removing barriers based on racial, gender, cultural, and other factors and believe that equal representation is essential to the success of Point Blue’s mission and vision. We seek and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams.
Job Summary:
The Philanthropy Officer manages and grows a portfolio of individual major donors and prospects to achieve fundraising goals identified in Point Blue's annual budget and strategic plan, with a particular focus on unrestricted giving. Serving as the primary Point Blue contact for their donor portfolio, this role develops and implements strategies that deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic support. The Philanthropy Officer will steward a portfolio of existing donors while proactively identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting new major gifts and planned giving prospects, building a robust pipeline of future support.
This role offers the opportunity to partner closely with experienced fundraising professionals, organizational leaders, scientists, and conservation practitioners while helping expand Point Blue’s impact and shape the future of its philanthropic program. Through personalized donor engagement opportunities and field experiences, the Philanthropy Officer plays a key role in connecting supporters to the science, partnerships, and on-the-ground actions that make Point Blue’s work possible.
Essential Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Donor Engagement and Fundraising: 90%
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 individual donors and prospects with the capacity to give $10,000+ annually. Cultivate, solicit, steward, and deepen relationships with donors and prospects to achieve annual fundraising goals, including securing 5- and 6-figure gifts and identifying planned giving opportunities for the Tern Society legacy giving program.
- Grow and strengthen the portfolio through a combination of transitioned donor relationships, newly identified prospects, and self-generated leads. Use research, networking, referrals, and partnerships with board members, volunteers, staff, donors, and other community connections to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit new major gift prospects.
- Maintain an active donor engagement and moves management pipeline, including regular face-to-face visits, compelling field-based donor experiences, personalized outreach, timely follow-up, and consistent progression of prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Collaborate closely with Directors of Philanthropy (senior major gifts fundraising colleagues), other Development team members, program staff, board members, and volunteers to strengthen fundraising outcomes through coordinated donor relationship management and a collaborative team-based approach.
- Develop knowledge of Point Blue’s mission, programs, and strategic priorities. Partner with program staff, where appropriate, to create meaningful field experiences and other engagements and align donor interests with funding opportunities.
- Craft and execute solicitation strategies for individual donors – write briefings, prepare correspondence, set meetings, lead solicitations, follow up on all solicitations, and steward the donation and the ongoing relationship.
- Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect records in Raiser's Edge NXT and use the CRM to manage portfolio activity, track opportunities, inform fundraising strategies, and share information with internal collaborators.
- Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of donor relationships, donor data management, and philanthropic agreements.
- Utilize events and field experiences, including both land- and sea-based opportunities, to engage Point Blue donors and prospects across portfolios:
- Serve as project manager and logistical lead for select donor/funder cultivation events and field experiences, coordinating participation across portfolios and managing scheduling, program staff coordination, donor communications, and event execution.
- Assist in the design, preparation, and implementation of signature donor events and other cultivation, stewardship, and donor engagement activities.
- Participate in fundraising events and other opportunities to engage, cultivate, and network with prospective and current donors.
Other Duties as Assigned: 10%
- Manage special projects, initiatives, and research assignments that support Development team goals and organizational priorities.
- Support new fundraising initiatives and donor engagement activities as organizational needs and priorities evolve.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility: None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal donors, including securing gifts of at least $25,000 and building a strong pipeline of new relationships and increased philanthropic support.
- Knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, donor relationship management principles and best practices, and event planning best practices.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, including the ability to build rapport, listen effectively, use diplomacy and tact, and engage diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and quality, and exceptional follow-through.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated success in clearly and concisely translating complex ideas and strategic priorities to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to safeguard confidential donor information.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, cloud-based collaboration tools, and fundraising CRMs (Raiser’s Edge/NXT preferred).
- Ability to comfortably and graciously engage with high-net-worth individuals at events and other donor engagement settings.
- Experience serving as relationship manager for board members and understanding the unique stewardship needs of these key philanthropic partners.
- Passion for and interest in wildlife conservation and the environment; strong consideration for candidates with knowledge of conservation science and ecology.
Certifications and/or Licenses:
- Valid California driver’s license and favorable driving history, and proof of auto insurance.
Preferred Education and Experience:
This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree; and a minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience with a focus on major gifts from individuals for non-profit organizations.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- This position operates in a professional office environment and from home.
- Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, scanners, and filing cabinets.
- When working remotely, employees should choose a work environment that is free from distractions, has a reliable internet connection, and supports the employee’s ability to dedicate their full attention to their job duties during work hours.
- Work environment is primarily indoors with the majority of time spent at a desk, with periodic field visits that will include outdoor hiking, boating, and walking activities.
Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
- This is a full-time, exempt position.
- Standard organizational hours of operation are 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
- Evening and weekend work is required as job duties demand.
- Regular travel throughout the Bay Area to meet with donors and prospects and participate in field experiences is expected. Occasional travel beyond the Bay Area is also required.
Application Instructions: Please provide a resume and cover letter. For the cover letter, please describe your interest in Point Blue and the Philanthropy Officer position, and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.