Senior Strategic Gifts Officer

Job Title: Senior Strategic Gifts Officer

Reports to: Director of Strategic Gifts

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Hours: Monday – Friday (40 hours), occasional weekends/after-hour events

Location: Hybrid, Foodbank Sharehouse (82 Coromar Dr. Goleta, CA 93117)

Salary Range: $80,000 – $115,000 annually, commensurate with experience

About the Organization

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County (FBSBC) is committed to ending hunger and transforming the health of Santa Barbara County through good nutrition. With nutrition education, disaster preparedness, environmental sustainability, and community resilience at the forefront of our mission, we are working to solve the underlying causes of hunger in Santa Barbara County.

About the Position

The Senior Strategic Gifts Officer is responsible for planning, implementing, and coordinating fundraising and philanthropic activities of the Foodbank specific to Strategic Gifts, Planned Giving, and high-capacity donor relationships under the supervision of the Director of Strategic Gifts. This position plays a crucial role in securing significant financial support to advance the Foodbank’s mission through strategic donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and high-potential prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each donor in portfolio.
• Successfully re-engage lapsed major donors through strategic outreach and personalized relationship building.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects from within the Foodbank’s donor database and through community networking.

Major Gift Development

• Lead major gift fundraising efforts by aligning donor passions with key Foodbank initiatives.
• Grow average major gift size by 8–12% annually.
• Consistently meet performance goals for cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant gifts.
• Conduct regular in-person donor meetings to foster connection and move supporters toward deeper investment.
• Develop compelling gift proposals aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.

Planned Giving

• In collaboration with the Director of Strategic Gifts, identify and cultivate planned giving prospects among the Foodbank’s donor base.
• Facilitate bequests and charitable gift vehicles in collaboration with donors and advisors.
• Collaborate with the development team to implement and grow the Foodbank’s legacy giving program.
• Conduct educational seminars and one-on-one meetings with donors about planned giving opportunities.

Strategy and Analysis

• Assess fundraising opportunities and develop strategic cultivation plans for major gift prospects.
• Utilize prospect research tools to identify donors with both capacity and demonstrated interest in advancing the mission of the Foodbank.
• Track and analyze key performance metrics including dollars raised, solicitations made, and donor retention rates.
• Create and maintain detailed donor records in Salesforce, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Strategic Gifts to align fundraising strategies with overall fundraising goals.
• Partner with the CDSO, CEO and Board members on strategic donor meetings and solicitations.
• Develop relationships with grant making organizations capable of supporting the Foodbank with significant gifts.
• Engage and support volunteer leadership in major gift fundraising efforts.

Communication and Stewardship

• Deliver tailored stewardship plans that recognize donor contributions and demonstrate lasting impact.
• Organize and participate in donor events, site visits, and other experiences that build trust and commitment.
• Ensure timely, meaningful acknowledgment and ongoing communication with major gift supporters

Essential Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, business, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising or business development, with a strong focus on high-level relationship management.
• Proven record securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the full life cycle of major donor engagement, from discovery and cultivation to solicitation, acknowledgement, and ongoing stewardship.
• Skilled in creating tailored donor strategies and written proposals that inspire transformational giving.
• Experience working with donor databases (CRM systems) to track progress, generate reports, and support strategic decisions.

Additional Qualifications and Competencies

• Exceptional relationship –building and interpersonal skills, with a high level of emotional intelligence and professionalism.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in public speaking and making presentations.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Willingness to travel regionally (approximately 20%) and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to engage cross-functionally and work effectively with a diverse range of individuals, including donors, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of fundraising profession and best practices with demonstrated track-record of meeting financial goals
• Proficient in the Microsoft Suite software and familiarity with Constituent Relationship Management software

Why Join Us?

At the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, we believe in taking care of our team members. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, professional growth, and overall well-being:

• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy 18 days of accrued Paid Time Off for new hires, with additional days awarded as you grow with us.
• Paid Holidays: Take advantage of 13 paid holidays throughout the year to relax and recharge.
• Health Insurance: Benefit from medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of the employee premium covered by the Foodbank.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Plan for your future with an optional retirement savings plan that includes a 3% employer match.
• Wellness Program: Participate in our Wellness Program, which offers a $500 annual bonus to support your commitment to healthy living and work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Access ongoing professional training opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Employee Assistance Program: Utilize our Employee Assistance Program for personal and work-related counseling and support, ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive

Our Hiring Process

Please apply on our website or via this NPRN specific link: https://foodbanksbc.bamboohr.com/careers/31?source=aWQ9MzA%3D

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated confirmation. We review applications on a rolling basis and strive to respond within 3 weeks of submitting your application.

We strive to have an inclusive hiring process that includes opportunities for us to get to know you and vice versa. Our process includes:

1. An initial phone or video interview with members of the team and/or collaborators with this position
2. A second video interview with members of the team and/or collaborators with this position
3. A final interview with members of our Leadership Team
4. Reference checks
5. Offer
6. Pre-Employment processes (i.e. standard background check)