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Chief Development Officer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Oakland Promise

Grants Specialist

Oakland, CA · On-site

Working closely with the Chief Development Officer and collaborating across programs, finance, communications, and evaluation, the Grants Specialist will translate Oakland Promise's programs ...

L.A. Family Housing Corporation

$115K/yr

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Gifts is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive major gifts strategy, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and ...

Trinity Health

Grant Development Manager

Fresno, CA · On-site

Individual grant-writing goals are established annually in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer to support annual philanthropic revenue goals benefiting Saint Agnes Medical Center. This ...

Sacramento SPCA

Individual Giving Manager

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$70K - $86K/yr

Chief Development Officer (CDO) FLSA Status: Exempt Salary Range (M2): Hiring Range: $70,304 - $74,880 per year; Salary Range: $70,304 - $86,112 per year Overview: The Sacramento SPCA is a vibrant ...

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All JobsChief Development Officer JobsChief Development Officer Jobs in California

Chief Development Officer information

See California salary details

$54.8K

$133.7K

$209.2K

How much do chief development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief development officer in California is $133,689.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,200.00 and $157,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by chief development officers when leading fundraising initiatives?

Chief Development Officers (CDOs) often encounter challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term strategic growth, engaging diverse donor bases, and ensuring coordination between development, marketing, and program teams. They must also adapt to evolving donor expectations and leverage data-driven strategies to maximize fundraising efforts. Collaborative leadership, strong communication, and adaptability are vital for overcoming these hurdles and driving sustained organizational growth.

What is a Chief Development Officer?

A chief development officer (CDO) is an executive-level employee at a business or non-profit. As a CDO, your job duties include overseeing the financial stability, fundraising, or growth of the organization. You maintain close communication with internal executive officers, such as the CEO and CFO, advising them on strategies to improve donor relations or increase revenue while providing input for yearly budgets and other financial issues. Qualifications for this career include experience working in a senior business development position, such as a Director of In-House Consulting or Corporate Strategy. You should also have experience in improving business revenue and productivity. To succeed in this role, you must have a strong desire to do research, analyze data, and be able to work well alone and with others. A CDO typically has a bachelor’s degree and an MBA as well as strong leadership and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Development Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Development Officer, you need expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a degree in business, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge), analytics tools, and relevant certifications such as CFRE are typically essential. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and persuasive communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for securing resources, building strong partnerships, and advancing the organization’s mission.

What is the difference between Chief Development Officer vs Chief Fundraising Officer?

AspectChief Development OfficerChief Fundraising Officer
Primary FocusOverall organizational growth, including development strategies, partnerships, and program expansionFundraising activities, donor relations, and revenue generation
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees in business, nonprofit management, or related fields; experience in development rolesSimilar credentials, often with emphasis on fundraising certifications or experience in donor engagement
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership in nonprofit or corporate settings, overseeing development teamsFundraising departments, donor relations teams, often within nonprofit organizations
Industry UsageCommonly used in nonprofits, educational institutions, and large corporationsPrimarily used in nonprofit organizations and charitable foundations

The Chief Development Officer focuses on broad organizational growth and development strategies, while the Chief Fundraising Officer specializes in fundraising efforts and donor relations. Both roles require similar credentials and often work closely, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

More about Chief Development Officer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Development Officer jobs in California? The most popular types of Chief Development Officer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Chief Development Officer jobs? Cities in California with the most Chief Development Officer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Development Officer jobs in CA? For Chief Development Officer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Chief Development Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Development Officer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,689 per year, or $64.3 per hour.

Individual Giving Manager

Sacramento Society For The Prevention of Cruelty

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$70K - $74K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Job Title: Individual Giving Manager
Department: Development
Reports To: Chief Development Officer (CDO)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range (M2): Hiring Range: $70,304 - $74,880 per year; Salary Range: $70,304 - $86,112 per year
Overview:
The Sacramento SPCA is a vibrant, well-established and respected non-profit animal welfare organization. Through our nationally-ranked high-volume spay and neuter clinic (we are ranked as one of the top 10 clinics in the country!), successful adoption program, pet retention support, and commitment to excellent animal care, the Sacramento SPCA is giving more than shelter and saving animals one life at a time.
General Summary:
This newly created position will be responsible for managing all aspects of Sacramento SPCA's planned giving and sustainer programs. This includes program design and implementation, prospect cultivation, stewardship, and events.
This position reports to the Chief Development Officer and works closely with professional financial advisors, attorneys, trustees, and financial institutions. This role requires 5+ years in fundraising, with specific expertise in planned giving or related fields like estate law or financial planning, and commands a high level of empathy, discretion with confidential data, and the ability to explain complex financial concepts simply.
Essential Job Functions:
  • Manage the monthly donor and membership programs, known as the Companions Circle. Strategically acquire, retain, and steward this donor group, including leading an annual donor stewardship event. Through pipeline development, identify engaged Companions Circle donors who show potential for making larger, major, or planned gifts over time.
  • Manage all aspects of bequest administration from notification through realization of bequest, including record keeping and reporting, communications with external and internal stakeholders, closing of bequests and records management. Ensure continued participation of existing Legacy Partners, such as creating special events and educational opportunities (i.e. quarterly estate planning seminars).
  • Assist the Chief Development Officer with management of the Pet Guardian Care Program, including but not limited to updating participant records.
  • Maintain donor and prospect records in Raisers Edge NXT database, including ongoing updates to donor and prospect constituent records.
  • Be thoroughly knowledgeable about the history, philosophy, programs and services at the Sacramento SPCA. Accurately and professionally articulate this information to donors and prospects, aligning it appropriately with the individual's interests and goals.
  • Provide support and assistance for annual signature fundraising events.
  • Represent the organization as needed for offsite fundraising events.
  • Support donor relations through direct and indirect means such as tours of the shelter, phone calls, email, mailings, and other methods.

Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Familiarity with the Greater Sacramento landscape; strong knowledge of the local nonprofit community; and experience with various networking and community-focused organizations.
  • Experienced in complex gift vehicles including, but not limited to, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary IRAs, and life insurance policies.
  • Excellent customer service skills and comfort with interacting with donors, volunteers, legal and financial professionals.
  • Experience working with Raiser's Edge.
  • Excellent communication skills - verbal, written and listening.
  • Demonstrated computer proficiency including Microsoft Office products, such as Excel and Microsoft Word.
  • Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and keep secure the private personal and financial information of our donors, volunteers, vendors and fellow staff members.
  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends as necessary.
  • Have a valid California Driver's license and clear driving record for one year prior to employment in order to operate SSPCA vehicles.
  • Ability to promote and exemplify SSPCA core values on a daily basis.

Education and Experience:
  • Five or more years in nonprofit development, with a focus on fundraising, major gifts, or estate planning.
  • Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.
  • Understanding of estate planning principles, tax laws, and planned giving administration.

Physical Requirements:
  • Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles or equipment, may be a disqualification.
  • Use hands/arms for repetitive grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. This job involves extensive use of computers for analysis, report writing, e-mail communication, as well as the use of telephones.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer with occasional bending, squatting, and lifting items up to 30 pounds.

Working Conditions:
  • Office environment, clean, air conditioned.
  • May be exposed to challenging behaviors from members of the public. Must be able to respond to an often times emotion-charged public and carry a fast-paced and changing workload which at times can be stressful.
  • By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases.
  • Must be available and willing to work such weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Either employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.
Salary Description
Hiring Range: $70,304 - $74,880 per year

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