Director of Development

Job Title: Director of Development Location: Hybrid (Office in Santa Cruz, CA) Position Type: Full-Time | ExemptSalary: $95,000 - $110,000 DOEReports To: Executive Director Key Collaborators: Marketing Manager + Help Line SupervisorAbout BirchBark Foundation: BirchBark Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and honoring the human-animal bond. We act as a bridge between a crisis and a solution, providing financial assistance to vulnerable families faced with unaffordable medical expenses to save the life of a pet. We also support all families through education and pet loss counseling programs. We believe financial hardship should never cause the loss of a family pet. Our culture is collaborative, mission-driven, and rooted in compassion—for our clients, our veterinary partners, and each other.Position OverviewBirchBark Foundation is seeking a strategic, compassionate, and growth-oriented Development Director to lead our philanthropic operations. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development Director will architect and execute a comprehensive fund development strategy designed to stabilize and grow BirchBark programs and fundraising.This position is pivotal to building long-term financial sustainability and expanding our reach in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties. Working in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, this position will be responsible for the success of all fundraising campaigns, events, and outreach initiatives. This position will cultivate all efforts of the fund development plan, including major donor cultivation strategy, all fundraising events, overseeing grants, and community outreach efforts.Key ResponsibilitiesFundraising and DevelopmentCreate, execute, and sustain a multi-year term fund development plan designed to meet revenue goals and support BirchBark’s strategic growth.Manage and grow a major gifts program, annual giving campaigns, planned giving, sponsorships, and oversee grants acquisition, pipeline and applications.Identify and cultivate new and existing Corporate and Business partnerships. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects while building strong relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners.Prepare fundraising reports, revenue forecasts and donor stewardship plansWork closely with leadership and staff to implement the fund development plan, including training and supporting staff and Board efforts. Support Development-related budgeting and revenue tracking.Maintain consistent and accurate donor records and tracking through our CRM- Little Green Light.Engagement and Communications Lead the vision, planning, sponsorship acquisition, and execution for BirchBark’s two major annual fundraising events, ensuring high ROI and strong community alignment.Find and run additional outreach events across our three-county service area to deepen local connections and expand organizational awareness.Represent BirchBark at community events, speaking engagements and donor gatherings across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties. Grants Supervision & Institutional GivingOversee and support the foundation’s grant lifecycle, including pipeline research, strategy, proposal development, and timely impact reporting.Ensure grant requests accurately reflect BirchBark's mission.Cross-Functional Team CollaborationPartner closely with the Marketing Manager to ensure brand consistency, cohesive donor campaigns, and compelling direct-response fundraising messaging across digital and print channels.Collaborate with the Help Line Supervisor to transform PetAid success metrics and human-animal bond stories into impactful donor communications that reflect our core values.Qualifications & CompetenciesThe ideal candidate is strongly aligned and passionate about our mission of preserving the human animal bond. 5+ years of fund development experience, with demonstrated success in major donor cultivation, grant management, and event execution.Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.Experience managing CRM’s (strong preference for LGL proficiency).Ability to translate organizational goals into actionable fundraising plans and measurable targets.Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to articulate the profound value of saving the human-animal bond with professional warmth and accuracy.Strong leadership style rooted in teamwork, working seamlessly alongside the Executive Director, program managers, and board members.Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties is strongly preferred.Experience with Google Workspace, Slack and Asana.Reliable transportation and the ability to represent BirchBark in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties as needed.Core Values AlignmentEvery member of the BirchBark team embodies our four core values:Compassion: Leading with empathy for both pet guardians facing crisis and our veterinary partners.Integrity: Maintaining absolute stewardship of donor funds and transparency in aid distribution.Collaboration: Building safety nets through active teamwork and community partnership.Positivity: Bringing optimism, energy, and a solution-oriented spirit to our work every day.License and CertificationsCertified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred; active within professional affiliations such as AFP, etc. preferred. Active driver’s license and insurance. Work EnvironmentThis position may be hybrid or remote, with required availability for on-site presence during events and key planning meetings.Local travel may be required throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties.Evening and weekend work is expected during peak event seasons.Physical Requirements & ADA AccommodationsThis position regularly requires a combination of the following activities: speaking, hearing, standing, walking, sitting for extended periods, and occasionally lifting or carrying materials up to 25 pounds (e.g., event supplies). Participation in in-person meetings and community events is expected.BirchBark Foundation is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need accommodations during any part of the application or employment process, please contact us directly.BenefitsTwo weeks of accrued vacation + week between 12/24 and 1/1 Insurance coverage: Health, Dental, Vision, Acupuncture, Chiropractic10 Paid holidays with ability to take floating holiday Cell phone stipendMileage reimbursement Access to the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program BirchBark Foundation is an Equal Opportunity EmployerWe welcome and encourage candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and equitable team.