Pepperwood Foundation: Director of Development
Pepperwood Foundation is seeking a seasoned, relationship-driven Director of Development to strategically lead and grow its comprehensive fundraising program. This role, reporting to the Executive Director, involves overseeing individual giving, major gifts, annual and legacy giving, foundation relations, and donor stewardship, while also exploring future fundraising initiatives. The ideal candidate will enhance existing donor relationships and connect with new generations of philanthropists, particularly in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and the tech community. With a strong foundation of relationships and a talented team in place, the incoming Director will have the opportunity to assess and evolve the development operation, potentially shaping the future addition of a Major Gifts Officer. As Pepperwood envisions its role as a global hub for fire stewardship, this position presents exciting possibilities for major fundraising opportunities and a future capital campaign.
About Pepperwood Foundation:
Since 2005, the Pepperwood Foundation has been dedicated to advancing climate and fire science, restoring ecosystems, and connecting people with nature. As a result, Pepperwood has become a community hub for science, stewardship, environmental education, and art. Moreover, they foster conservation partnerships across the North Bay region and beyond.
At Pepperwood, they innovate climate-smart solutions and train the next generation of environmental leaders. Their work strengthens the bonds between people and the natural world. For them, data drives action, and stewardship creates lasting change. As they look to the future, their vision remains clear: a world where science and community work hand in hand to protect the places and people. Join them in their mission of inspiring conservation through science.
Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy
Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with Pepperwood's mission, strategic priorities, and financial goals.
Provide leadership for an annual philanthropic program of approximately $2.5 million and help position the organization to grow its overall budget from approximately $4 million toward a five-year goal of $6 million.
Establish clear fundraising priorities, goals, metrics, and accountability across the development function.
Balance long-term strategic planning with hands-on execution and direct donor engagement.
Major Donor Relationships
Manage and deepen relationships with Pepperwood's most significant individual donors and prospects.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, including six-figure and larger commitments.
Maintain the organization’s strong legacy of philanthropic support while developing relationships with the next generation of donors.
Expand Pepperwood's relationships with donors in the technology, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and broader Bay Area communities.
Develop and strengthen donor-advised fund (DAF) relationships and individual giving strategies.
Expand Planned and Legacy Giving
Build upon Pepperwood's existing legacy and planned giving program.
Identify opportunities to cultivate and secure additional planned gifts and bequests.
Institutional Fundraising
Develop relationships with private foundations and corporations and pursue unrestricted and restricted philanthropic support.
Identify and cultivate opportunities with major foundations whose interests align with Pepperwood's mission.
Partner with Pepperwood's scientific leadership to ensure that institutional fundraising complements, rather than duplicates, scientific grant activity.
Board Relations/Fundraising Strategy
Partner with the Executive Director and Board leadership to strengthen the Board's role in fundraising.
Provide board members with the tools, information, coaching, and opportunities they need to participate meaningfully in donor cultivation and solicitation.
Develop opportunities for Board members to introduce Pepperwood to new philanthropic networks.
Team Management
Supervise, nurture, and mentor all Development staff.
Work with staff to ensure best practices and provide a culture characterized by mutual respect, active listening, collaboration, accountability, and trust.
Assess staffing needs of department and hire a Major Gifts Officer accordingly.
Prepare for Future Growth
Help Pepperwood evaluate its readiness for larger-scale fundraising initiatives, including a potential future capital campaign.
Participate in strategic discussions about Pepperwood's potential evolution as a global hub for fire stewardship.
Ensure fundraising infrastructure, donor relationships, and internal systems are positioned to support future organizational growth.
Help instill a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
Evaluate Pepperwood's Salesforce database and broader development technology after becoming familiar with the organization's needs and operations.
Qualifications
7+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a demonstrated record of securing major gifts from individuals and foundations.
Accomplished major gift fundraiser who has managed a major gifts portfolio, personally cultivating and soliciting significant gifts.
Experience developing or expanding planned and legacy giving.
Proficiency with foundation fundraising.
Strong background working with a CEO/Executive Directors and Board members as fundraising partners.
Highly attuned emotional intelligence to skillfully balance leading, listening, and strategically engaging key partners in donor relationships.
Collaborative, approachable, and comfortable working across departments and levels of an organization.
Ability to think strategically while remaining willing to roll up their sleeves and execute.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Data savvy with knowledge and experience using CRM: Salesforce preferred
Enthusiastic and passionate about Pepperwood's mission and excited by the opportunity to connect conservation science, environmental education, climate resilience, and philanthropy.
Preferred: Experience with conservation, environmental organizations, science-based nonprofits, land trusts, climate resilience, agricultural sustainability, or higher education advancement.
Compensation
Salary Range: $145,000 - $160,000
Benefits include:
Employer-covered Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Employer-covered Chiro/Acupuncture and Group Life
15 vacation days (minimum) accrued annually
40 hours (5 days) paid sick leave
13 paid holidays, in addition to the week off between Christmas and New Year’s
To Apply
For more information, or to apply for the Director of Development position at the Pepperwood Foundation, please upload your resume and cover letter here. All applications will be kept confidential, and every applicant will receive a response