CORA: Director of Development
CORA is seeking a Director of Development who will lead the organization’s fundraising efforts with the goal of raising approximately $3 million annually. This pivotal role involves setting departmental priorities, managing staff, and utilizing fundraising data to assess performance and inform strategy. The Director will focus on major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, overseeing a portfolio of around 140 major gift prospects and donors, while also building partnerships and enhancing donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades. Collaboration with the CEO, Board members, and various teams will be crucial to bolster CORA’s fundraising capacity and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
About CORA:
As the only agency in San Mateo County with the sole purpose of serving those experiencing intimate partner abuse, CORA provides safety, support and healing. CORA’s comprehensive services for clients include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, legal services and counseling. In addition, CORA provides community education and prevention programming throughout the county. CORA is a multicultural agency committed to serving individuals, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, financial status, language, mental or physical ability.
Responsibilities
Development Department Leadership
Lead, supervise, coach, and develop a team of three development staff who oversee foundations portfolio, special events, individual giving and marketing and communications.
Establish departmental goals, priorities, work plans, and performance expectations.
Monitor results, use data to identify gaps and opportunities, and hold staff accountable for measurable goals.
Oversee the development budget and department systems, including donor management and tracking platforms.
Partner with the CEO/CFO on vendors, consultants, and technology that strengthen development capacity.
Major Gifts
Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 140 major gift prospects and donors through face-to-face and virtual meetings, calls, solicitations, and personalized stewardship.
Build and manage a strong major donor pipeline through prospect identification, research, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.
Develop strategies to increase donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades.
Strengthen long-term relationships with major donors and provide meaningful opportunities for engagement.
Corporate & Community Partnerships
Develop and implement strategies for corporate giving and sponsorships.
Identify and cultivate businesses, corporate leaders, and community partners whose interests align with CORA’s mission.
Personally cultivate and steward high-value relationships and participate in solicitations.
Development Strategy & Campaigns
Develop and execute an integrated annual strategic plan across major gifts, individual giving, foundations, corporations, sponsorships, community partnerships, events, and campaigns.
Use donor data, analytics, pipeline information, and campaign results to evaluate performance and refine strategy.
Establish and monitor key development metrics and benchmarks.
Create new initiatives to increase donor acquisition, retention, repeat giving, and overall fundraising capacity.
Plan and oversee annual and special campaigns, for example, End of Year and Giving Tuesday.
Special Events
Oversee fundraising events with revenue, donor acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship goals.
Develop donor-focused and VIP opportunities in collaboration with the development team.
Evaluate event results and incorporate lessons learned into future strategy.
Qualifications
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, major gifts, nonprofit development, or a related field.
Close ties to the local Peninsula and Bay Area community and businesses, strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Demonstrated success by increasing fundraising revenue and achieving measurable goals. This includes experience personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, including donors capable of making gifts of $10,000 or more.
Experience developing corporate donors, sponsors, and/or community partnerships that generate financial support.
Experience managing fundraising campaigns and events.
Experience leading, coaching, and managing development staff to achieve department goals.
Strong CRM and donor data management skills.
Ability to use donor and fundraising data to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and inform development strategy.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage donors, corporate leaders, and community partners.
Nonprofit leadership experience preferred.
CFRE credential preferred.
Passion for and commitment to work addressing the impact of Intimate Partner Abuse.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to be onsite meeting donors and attending community events in San Mateo County weekly, required.
Successful results upon hire from a DOJ Live Scan fingerprint clearance are required
Completion of the 40 Hour Training – required and will be provided to the successful applicant upon hire if not already completed within last 5 years.
Driver’s License and active insurance required.
MANDATED REPORTER STATUS – No
Compensation
$120,000.00 To $140,000.00 Annually
To Apply
To apply, click here.