Annual Fund Manager

California Trout • San Francisco, CA

3d • $70,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Annual Fund Manager plays a critical role in growing CalTrout's annual giving program and cultivating a strong base of loyal, engaged donors. This role is responsible for managing gifts below $2,500 and serves as the primary steward and strategist for CalTrout's broad donor community, including members, monthly donors, and long-time supporters.
This position focuses on donor acquisition, retention, and upgrading, with a particular emphasis on understanding what motivates and resonates with annual fund donors. The Annual Fund Manager leads multi-channel fundraising campaigns, builds and evolves a donor loyalty program, and manages CalTrout's gear shop as an integrated engagement and revenue channel.
The Annual Fund Manager works closely with the Senior Development Manager to ensure a thoughtful and seamless pathway for donors who demonstrate readiness to transition into mid-level and major giving. This role collaborates extensively across the organization, partnering with communications, programs, events, operations, and regional staff to deliver a consistent and compelling donor experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, marketing, business, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in annual giving, membership management, or donor relations, ideally within an environmental or conservation-focused organization.
• Demonstrated success managing fundraising campaigns and growing donor participation and revenue.
• Proficiency in CRM software, digital fundraising platforms, donor analytics tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong project management skills with experience in multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate mission and impact into donor-relevant language.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Highly collaborative, organized, and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic annual giving campaigns to increase donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades, with a focus on gifts below $2,500.
• Lead CalTrout's annual fund strategy, including appeals, renewals, and seasonal campaigns.
• Oversee and grow the monthly giving program, ensuring strong retention, engagement, and clear value for recurring donors.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to create compelling, donor-centric messaging across direct mail, email, social media, and digital channels.
• Support donor segmentation and targeting efforts to tailor outreach based on donor behavior, interests, and giving history.
• Design and implement a donor loyalty program that recognizes and deepens engagement among annual fund donors and long-time supporters.
• Develop donor engagement journeys that prioritize meaningful connection, consistency, and long-term value rather than transactional giving.
• Partner with the Senior Development Manager to identify annual donors who show capacity and interest in mid-level or major giving and support smooth handoffs.
• Work with the Donor Relations Manager, the Community and Partnerships Manager, and the portfolio manager as needed to create accessible and mission-aligned donor engagement opportunities, including events, briefings, and volunteer experiences.
• Lead and implement multi-channel fundraising campaigns, including year-end giving, Giving Tuesday, spring appeals, and other targeted initiatives.
• Oversee peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, including campaign setup, promotion, participant engagement, and performance tracking.
• In collaboration with the Database Administrator, analyze donor data and trends to inform strategy, test new approaches, and continuously improve results.
• Track and report on KPIs, campaign performance, donor retention, and engagement metrics.
• Supervise and mentor the Development Associate, providing ongoing feedback, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure the Development Associate effectively supports donor stewardship, event logistics, gift processing, and database management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement within the development team.
• Work closely with the Director of Development and Senior Development Manager to align annual fund strategies with broader individual giving goals.
• Collaborate with communications, programs, events, operations, and regional staff to ensure consistent donor messaging and experience across touchpoints.
• Support corporate matching gift efforts, workplace giving, and other annual-fund-adjacent opportunities.
• Partner with board members, staff, and volunteers to amplify annual giving efforts and donor engagement.

Benefits

• California Trout offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience; health benefits (medical, dental, and vision), retirement plan with matching, generous holidays, PTO benefits, and sabbatical leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager