Institutional Giving Manager | Cal Parks

Title: Institutional Giving Manager
Reports to: Director of Development 
Location: Anywhere in California, with preference for Los Angeles or San Diego 
Job Type: Full-time, exempt 
Compensation: $75,600 - $82,600 
Post date: May 15, 2024 

Mission: Protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. 
Vision: Our vision is that Californians have a state park system that is accessible and relevant, adequately and sustainably funded, and stewarded for future generations. 
 

JOB DESCRIPTION:  

With a rich history spanning more than five decades, California State Parks Foundation champions the cause of California state parks, ensuring their protection and preservation for the greater good. By collaborating with park partners and dedicated park staff, as well as engaging policymakers in Sacramento, we actively address the challenges faced by our beloved parks. It is an exciting time for the organization as we recently released our 2024-2027 strategic plan, setting the path for continued growth. We are guided by our Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (JEID) commitments as well as our core organization values: A Bigger Tent, Future Forward, Connections Create Results, Celebrate California. 

The Institutional Giving Manager supports the organization’s continued growth by taking a lead role in the execution of the development team’s strategy and goals to inspire renewed, upgraded, and new funding from institutional donors. This role aligns with California State Parks Foundation’s mission by building relationships and raising resources to build climate resilience, expand access to parks, enhance visitor experience, preserve history and culture, and steward natural spaces. Reporting to the Director of Development, this position closely collaborates with the expanding development team, contracted grant writers, and program staff to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and programs. 
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

  • Expand on the existing success of the institutional giving program, with focus on foundation and corporate donors, although there may be occasional government funding opportunities. 

  • Communicate with representatives of current and prospective institutional funders via email, phone, Zoom, and face-to-face meetings to better understand funding criteria, follow-up on submitted materials, and steward relationships.  

  • Create compelling annual proposal and sponsor packet templates for the team to tailor per funding request.  

  • Collaborate with the programs team to best plan for grant proposals, report back to donors, and partner on site visits as needed. 

  • Manage a schedule of deadlines for submitting letters of inquiry, proposals for renewed and new support, interim and final grant reports, and other requirements using the Salesforce database and Asana. 

  • Lead monthly meetings with contract grant writers and provide direction on team workplans. 

  • Track institutional giving performance using moves management system in Salesforce and provide support for preparing reports for Board, staff, and other key stakeholders. 

  • Identify and research new prospective donors in coordination with program staff and other development team members, maintaining up-to-date donor records in Salesforce. 

  • Coordinate with finance team on donor restrictions, multi-year pledges or contracts, invoicing needs, and internal funding and account codes.  

  • Prepare fundraising budgets and other financial information in coordination with the finance team. 

  • Collaborate with the Development Associate to file, track, and organize all information about grants – from application to funding decision to stewardship.  

  • Coordinate volunteer workdays for corporate partners with the Development Associate and programs team. 

  • Represent the organization at corporate workdays, Earth Day events, employee giving fairs, and other events as needed. 

  • Participate in staff meetings (including quarterly in person), voluntary JEID committee, and other organization-wide activities. 

  • Additional duties as assigned. 
     

QUALIFICATIONS:  

  • Commitment to California State Parks Foundation’s mission 

  • Bachelor's degree or higher preferred 

  • 3-5 years of relevant experience, preferably in institutional fundraising, grant writing, or donor relations at a nonprofit organization 

  • Familiarity with the California state park system, environmental, and/or conservation practices preferred 

  • Strong project management abilities required; familiarity with tools such as Salesforce, Asana, Slack, SharePoint, Foundation Directory Online, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Expensify, Zoom strongly preferred 

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint 

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-tasking team environment  

  • Outstanding research skills and ability to tailor proposals to the specific criteria of potential funders 

  • Knowledge of foundation, corporate, and other institutional funders in California is preferred 

  • Strong written and oral communication skills  

  • Extremely organized with exceptional attention to detail  

  • Committed to maintaining data integrity 

  • Willingness to pitch in and perform other tasks as needed 

  • Willingness to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends, and travel to donor meetings or state parks, occasionally engaging in vigorous outdoor activities, is required 

  • Valid driver license strongly preferred 
     

If you do not meet all the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.   
 

JUSTICE, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND DIVERSITY: At California State Parks Foundation, our mission is protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. We believe that California’s state parks are essential to the health, happiness, and quality of life for all Californians. If we truly are to benefit all, we must address justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity (JEID) in our work. While the process of integrating JEID may not be easy, we are full of hope regarding our vision for a future California state park system that engages a broad audience and is welcoming and accessible to all. We commit to fostering an organizational culture that celebrates learning and growth, leans into difficult conversations and feedback, values connection to each other, and sustains staff and board members’ well-being and sense of belonging. 

COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range is $75,600 - $82,600, depending on experience. 

BENEFITS: Employee benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, acupuncture/chiropractic, participation in 401k retirement plan with match after one year of service, employee life, accidental, long- and short-term disability insurance, participation in pre-tax commuter benefits and flexible spending account, health and wellness and hybrid office stipend, paid vacation, 13 paid holidays, birthday holiday, and sick time.  

TO APPLY: Please submit your application through the “Apply” link. Your application should include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter that addresses why you are a good fit for this position and the organization. Please use separate attachments for each individual component with your last name in the file names. Applications considered on a rolling basis until position is filled. 

The California State Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Police Code, Article 49.