Development Specialist

Catalight•Walnut Creek, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Catalight is seeking a mission-driven, creative, and entrepreneurial Development Specialist to manage assigned development and fundraising initiatives, donor and community relationships, and related strategies. This role will develop, recommend, and execute strategies for fundraising, development, and communications for Easterseals Northern California, with occasional support for other affiliates. Working under the Director of Development, the Specialist will exercise independent judgment in determining approaches, priorities, and solutions. The role involves analyzing fundraising performance, evaluating options, and making recommendations on strategies, donor engagement, sponsorships, events, and resource allocation. The position requires 20-25% travel throughout California, primarily Northern California, with occasional out-of-state travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (marketing or communications focus preferred), fundraising, or a related field; or 4+ years of equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Proven experience in non-profit fundraising, development, relationship management, event planning, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience independently managing projects, donor relationships, or fundraising initiatives with general supervision.
Experience analyzing information, evaluating alternatives, exercising sound judgment, and making recommendations on development, donor, sponsorship, and fundraising matters.
Skilled in prioritizing competing objectives and determining appropriate approaches within established organizational goals and policies.
Uses financial, relationship, reputational, and organizational considerations to inform recommendations and decisions.
Experience building and maintaining relationships with donors, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with donor databases and fundraising principles.
Experience interpreting fundraising and donor data, identifying trends and opportunities, and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
Commitment to the organization’s purpose and social impact.
Must be able to communicate effectively within the work environment, read and write using the primary language within the workplace.
Visual and auditory ability to work with clients, staff and others in the workplace continuously.
Frequent speaking and listening (25-75%) to clients, staff, and others in the workplace.
Utilize computer and cell phone for effective communication.
Ability to obtain and maintain criminal record clearance through the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Ability to obtain and maintain clearance through the Office of Inspector General.
Able to travel to multiple work sites, events and donor meetings.
Reliable transportation needed.
Must attend any required training.

Nice To Haves

Work in an exciting, fast paced high energy environment while effectively multitasking and managing day-to-day responsibilities without supervision.
Personable; able to work comfortably with individuals at all levels within the organization.
Excellent verbal and writing communication skills; frequent proofreading and checking documents for accuracy.
Propensity for innovation and the pursuit of improvement.
Approaches work with a growth mindset, welcome feedback, and understand that humans all have biases and are imperfect as a baseline.
Sensitivity to working with an ethnically, linguistically, culturally, and economically diverse population.
Navigates ambiguity with an excitement for problem solving.
Highly self-motivated, accountable, and results-oriented.
Commitment to meet agreed upon deadlines on time or ahead of schedule.
Transparent on action, pursuits, and outcomes.
A commitment to the values of the organization while demonstrating good judgment, flexibility, patience and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
Willingness and commitment to self-reflection and re-thinking.
Ability to understand your physical, mental, social, and financial wellbeing needs with a willingness to co-create boundaries that allow you to sustainably show up and honor your humanity.
Capacity to contribute to and help cultivate effective + sustainable wellbeing driven spaces.

Responsibilities

Support the development and implementation of approaches and workplans for assigned fundraising, donor stewardship, sponsorship, and community engagement initiatives.
Evaluate fundraising opportunities and recommend appropriate approaches, considering donor interests, organizational priorities, resources, expected return, and reputation.
Provide recommendations and input to Development leadership regarding fundraising priorities, donor engagement strategies, sponsorship opportunities, event strategy, and resource allocation.
Make adjustments within established goals and guidelines based on performance, donor feedback, emerging opportunities, and changing organizational needs.
Identify development opportunities, risks, and emerging issues and recommend appropriate courses of action to leadership.
Manage assigned relationships with donors, prospects, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and foundation/community partners, determining appropriate cultivation, solicitation, engagement, and stewardship approaches.
Support individualized engagement and stewardship plans for assigned key relationships.
Represent the organization in meetings with assigned donors, sponsors, and community partners.
Conduct regular outreach through email, phone, in-person meetings, and other appropriate channels.
Develop and recommend approaches for assigned fundraising and stewardship initiatives designed to strengthen donor engagement, retention, and financial support.
Determine and execute appropriate stewardship strategies for assigned donors and initiatives.
Evaluate prospective fundraising and sponsorship opportunities and make recommendations.
Coordinate, organize, and execute fundraising events.
Manage assigned fundraising and stewardship events from planning through evaluation.
Implement event plans aligned with revenue, participation, and expense goals.
Develop assigned event plans and recommend improvements.
Evaluate event performance against financial and engagement objectives, identify trends, and recommend changes.
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to determine communication, promotional, and community engagement approaches.
Generate regular donor, prospect, event, and fundraising reports.
Analyze donor, prospect, event, sponsorship, and fundraising performance to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and areas requiring action.
Translate data and relationship insights into recommendations for Development leadership.
Monitor the effectiveness of assigned development strategies and recommend or implement approved adjustments.
Conduct donor and prospect research and exercise judgment in identifying and prioritizing prospects and engagement opportunities.
Maintain accurate donor information and records necessary to support development activities.
Maintain processes for assigned development initiatives and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and donor experience.
Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Communications, Finance, Operations, and other stakeholders to resolve issues and advance development objectives.
Perform other duties consistent with the level and scope of the position.