Development Officer

Overview

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC) is seeking a proactive and personable Development Officer to help build and sustain the organization’s fundraising program. This is AFC’s first dedicated staff development position, offering a unique opportunity for a mission-driven individual to shape the future of development from the ground up while helping guide the evolution of the team’s work environment as collaboration opportunities emerge.

The Development Officer will work with the Development Director to take ownership of AFC’s donor systems, help build fundraising infrastructure, and support efforts in donor cultivation, campaign planning, institutional giving, and impact storytelling. They will also serve as liaison to the Board of Directors and work closely with finance to align income and cash flow insights with fundraising strategy. This is an ideal opportunity for an early-career professional ready to grow into a long-term development leadership role.

We are looking for a person who demonstrates integrity and transparency in how they manage their time. They are expected to contribute to a positive team culture and adapt well to changing expectations.

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Location: Various locations around Pasadena, CA (Remote with no physical office space; our hybrid schedule relies on individuals with strong personal organization and proactive planning, along with excellent communication skills).

Reports to: Director of Operations (for Grants/Finance) and CEO (for Donor Relations), collaborates with Development Director (consultant)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Hourly with opportunity to advance to an exempt position as a Development Director

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 annually, dependent upon experience

Benefits: Group health insurance plan, 100% of HMO plan covered by employer. Generous vacation

and leave policies. Flexible work schedule.

Start Date: July 1, 2026

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Key Responsibilities

Donor Engagement & Individual Giving

• Work with the Development Director to coordinate and manage targeted donor communication strategies such as lapsed donors recurring, planned givers, etc.
• Meet donors and prospects and arrange appointments for the CEO and/or other staff to meet them.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for donor stewardship, acknowledgments, and relationship management.
• Conduct donor prospecting and research to identify potential candidates as well as untapped potential within AFC’s existing audience.
• Draft reports, analysis, presentations, and memos for internal and external development needs.
• Assist in the planning and execution of donor campaigns, appeals, and small events.
• Improve donor experience, retention, and engagement.
• Maintain and update the Development calendar.

Grants & Institutional Fundraising

• Research, draft, and track grant proposals and reports under the direction of the Director of Operations.
• Maintain a grant calendar and coordinate submission timelines with internal stakeholders.
• Support identification of new institutional funding opportunities (foundations, corporate, government).

Finance Coordination

• Work closely with the finance team to monitor incoming revenue, reconcile donor and grant income, and understand cash flow timing.
• Generate and analyze reports to support both financial planning and fundraising strategy.

Board Liaison Duties

• Serve as main point of contact and support for board members in assuming and executing their development responsibilities; drive board development strategy and attend and support board development meetings.
• Track action items and follow-ups; maintain updated board contact lists and documentation. Schedule and support donor meetings.

Development Systems & Infrastructure

• Manage all aspects of the donor database system including gift entry, donor acknowledgements, personal thank you notes, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Optimize donor database workflows (DonorPerfect), including reporting, segmentation, and data hygiene.
• Develop and document development operations procedures (gift processing, campaign tracking, acknowledgments).
• Ensure accurate data integration with finance systems.

Collaboration & Special Projects

• Collaborate with the Development Director to align fundraising messaging with broader public outreach.
• Lead fundraising event coordination and logistics, volunteer management, and event follow-up.
• Collaborate with Communications team on design and implementation of communications to align with development priorities.
• Work directly with the CEO on cultivation strategies and meeting preparation.
• Support special initiatives including annual reports, sponsorship proposals, and donor impact materials.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit administration (internships/volunteer work considered).
• Strong communication and writing skills with confidence engaging donors and internal stakeholders. Bachelors degree or higher preferred.
• Organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Tech-savvy and familiar with donor databases (DonorPerfect or equivalent CRM tools).
• Enthusiasm for environmental conservation and local land protection is a plus.

Why This Role Matters

As AFC celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, we experienced unprecedented growth. The Development Officer will play a pivotal role in ensuring the organization’s financial sustainability to sustain and build upon this growth. This role is designed to grow with the right candidate, offering professional development, strategic input, and increasing leadership opportunities as AFC’s development program expands.

To Apply

Submit your application here.