Donor Relations Officer

SBF attracts folks who care about our mission of building empathetic, resilient communities. We value transparency as the foundation to building trust, accountability, inclusivity, innovation and being a learning organization. We are a consecutive winner of PCBT’s Best Places to Work in the Central Coast.

We’re also delighted to offer one of the most competitive benefit packages for similar and similarly sized organizations.

We’re seeking a Donor Relations Officer to join our Philanthropic Services Department. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Donor Relations and is based in Santa Barbara County. This is a hybrid position which will require at least three days of in office work.

All applicants must submit a professional resume, cover letter and completed copy of our employment application, in order to be considered.

Please review our Job Description below, before applying

Position Summary:

The Donor Relations Officer (DRO) works with the Senior Director of Donor Relations (SDDR) to engage the Foundation’s prospective and existing fundholders through responsive donor services, proactive donor engagement and education programs, and strategic development and marketing vehicles such as events, digital publications, newsletters, etc. The DRO will assist in formulating ideas, marketing strategies and programs that will enhance donor services including fund development and stewardship, donor development, and donor education. With the SDDR, the DRO will build and maintain relationships with fundholders and other prospects through strategic engagement opportunities, including the Community Engagement Fund and SBF’s Community Grant Programs, the Foundation’s Legacy Society, donor education seminars, outreach to professional advisors, and donor recognition events.  In addition, the DRO will represent the Foundation at select meetings and events and assist in other department activities as needed.

Specific Responsibilities:

Donor Relations & Recognition

• Build and maintain a broad knowledge of existing SBF funds, donors and fundholders.
• Assure smooth transition for new donors from fund creation to ongoing donor relations serving their philanthropic objectives.
  • This may include, but isn’t limited to donor onboarding meetings, one-one-one donor engagement, site visits and nonprofit research and recommendations, and customized philanthropy plans
• Provide support to the Legacy Society program and implement donor recognition programs for fundholders, Legacy Society, and professional advisors (including electronic, event and public presentation displays and advertisements).
  • This may include but isn’t limited to designing and executing recognition programs for donors supporting SBF’s Strategic Priorities and Foundation’s upcoming Centennial activities.

Philanthropic Stewardship

• Support the SDDR with advising donors as they build a giving plan and philosophy, by assisting in the development of a meaningful vision and offering information on best practices in giving.
  • This may include but isn’t limited to, assisting with developing a vision and mission statement, establishing a clear and actionable grantmaking criteria based on donor’s charitable interests, and presenting funding opportunities that resonate with donor’s values.
• Provide guidance, structure, and high-touch support to implement donors grantmaking projects or programs. Manage a portfolio of fundholders including donor advised funds and fiscal sponsorship funds to deliver donor services that are consistent with the Foundation’s high-quality services. Deepen donor relationships through donor segmentation and portfolio moves management strategies.
• Identify opportunities to connect donors’ philanthropic goals with the Foundation’s strategic priorities for serving the community.

• This may include but isn’t limited to, working with our Programs team to identify gaps in funding with SBF’s grant programs that align with fundholders charitable areas of interests and presenting funding opportunities. Fundholders’ areas of interest will be identified through conversations and their charitable giving through their funds at SBF.
• Work with the Donor Relations team to maintain an effective and continuously improving approach to stewardship that increases fundholder engagement.

Promoting Philanthropy, Education & Outreach

• Together with the SDDR, create and manage an education program on topics related to philanthropy.
• Work with the Donor Relations team and others at the Foundation to plan and execute fundholder events that elevate the work and relationships with fundholders.
  • This may include, but isn’t limited to, producing special events featuring SBF’s strategic priorities and programs, and special activities connected to the Foundation’s upcoming Centennial.
• Build and maintain knowledge of trends in donor giving and legislation that impacts philanthropy.
  • g. attending seminars, becoming an active member of AFP’s local chapter… Participate in knowledge-building seminars, become an active member of AFP’s local chapter and other specific matter expert membership groups, and keep up on industry trends through philanthropic publications and websites.
• In collaboration with the SDDR, plan and coordinate outreach seminars, donor cultivation and recognition events.
• Assist in the development and management of professional advisor outreach and education programs.
  • This may include but isn’t limited to, supporting with reaching out to professional advisor firms and scheduling the professional advisor’s informational roadshows, identifying engagement opportunities with new professional advisor firms in Santa Barbara County through research and providing support with professional advisor events.

Development & Marketing

• Create and implement strategies to analyze donor capacity and giving trends to upgrade donor engagement with the Foundation.
• Work with the SDDR and the Marketing & Communications Team to identify opportunities to expand the Foundation’s influence countywide to increase existing donor involvement and attract new donors. Support the development of marketing materials.
• Assist VP of Philanthropic Services and SDDR with promotion of charitable vehicles and creation of new funds.
• Support fundraising for SBF’s programs (Community Engagement and Community Grant Programs) by creating opportunities for connections between donors’ philanthropic goals and SBF’s strategic priorities.
• Participate in the overall success of the Philanthropic Services department.

Adhere to general SBF policies and guidelines. Participate in all staff, departmental and other assigned meetings.

Keep Outlook updated as per SBF standard.

Other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements

• At least four years in a similar high-level customer service or donor relations position.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication This includes externally and internally, for example in-person, via email, in meetings and on the phone with donors and fundholders.
• A willing team player and supportive
• A good collaborator who desires to hone this skill further.
• Familiarity with project management and interest in learning Monday.com.
• Excellent organizational and customer service
• A highly accountable professional who takes responsibility for their work and goals.
• Desire to grow and learn in a donor and fundholder serving role.
• Ability and openness to receiving feedback and continuing to improve performance.
• Interest in learning about the philanthropic world, the structure of SBF and working interdepartmentally.
• A quick-learner who is detail-oriented and committed to a great work
• Familiarity with the communities of Santa Barbara
• Proficient in MS 365, internet usage and the ability to easily learn new software
• Ability to occasionally attend SBF events or travel within SB This may include weeknights and weekends and may include driving a personal vehicle.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and be able to provide proof of
• Ability to adhere to SBF’s hybrid guidelines, including at least three days of work in the office per week.
• Bachelor’s Degree or commensurate experience

Preferred Requirements

• At least six years’ experience in high-level customer service or donor
• Experience in the nonprofit or philanthropic
• Experience creating or collaborating on marketing and donor solicitation materials.
• Knowledge of charitable law and tax
• Knowledge of RE and GE software or other customer relations management software is highly desirable.

Work Environment

• General office
• Ability to telecommute, providing own modem, router and internet connection.
• Dog-friendly office, well-behaved pets,
• Open office area/cubicle seating
• Significant telephone and computer work (repetitive movement – typing)
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending and occasional lifting of moderate loads (50lbs.) or more.
• Some travel required, may be by car within the county or via plane or other means of transportation for approved conferences or professional development opportunities.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the Job Description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Foundation will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

At SBF, we value wellness and offer a very generous benefits package, including: up to 15 days of PTO in the first year of employment, 14 holidays, paid sick time, fully paid health insurance package for staff (including a top tier medical plan) and about 75% dependent coverage;  401K with up to a 10% employer contribution after one year of employment, 2.5%-6.5% housing allowance added to annualized salary based on tenure and after one-year of employment, in-office massages, wellness days and more! 

This exempt, full-time role is compensated at $77,000.00 – $86,579 annually, depending on skills and work experience.

All applicants are required to submit an employment application, a resume and cover letter to hr@sbfoundation.org.