1

Foundation Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Foundation Director

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $163K/yr

... Cares Foundation, including its programs, donor engagement efforts, community partnerships ... Leads the development and execution of fundraising strategies, donor cultivation initiatives ...

Manager Major Gifts

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$79K - $100K/yr

Serves as a member of the Foundation development staff responsible for growing and maintaining a comprehensive major gifts program focused on attracting gifts in excess of $10,000 (or the defined ...

Serves as a member of the Foundation development staff responsible for growing and maintaining a comprehensive major gifts program focused on attracting gifts in excess of $10,000 (or the defined ...

Serves as a member of the Foundation development staff responsible for growing and maintaining a comprehensive major gifts program focused on attracting gifts in excess of $10,000 (or the defined ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Foundation Development information

What are the main challenges someone might face when working in Foundation Development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Foundation Development often encounter challenges such as building and maintaining donor relationships, meeting fundraising targets, and coordinating across various departments. Navigating donor expectations and effectively communicating the foundation's mission requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills. To address these challenges, it's important to stay organized, leverage data-driven strategies, and collaborate closely with program staff and leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals. Proactive relationship management and ongoing professional development can also help overcome common obstacles in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Foundation Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Foundation Development, you need expertise in fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and a background in nonprofit or philanthropic management, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with donor management software (like Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), CRM systems, and fundraising certification (such as CFRE) is highly valued. Strong communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills help you engage stakeholders and inspire support. These abilities are crucial for securing financial resources, fostering donor trust, and advancing the foundation’s mission.

What is Foundation Development?

Foundation Development refers to the process of establishing, managing, and growing nonprofit organizations known as foundations. This involves fundraising, donor relations, strategic planning, grant writing, and overseeing charitable programs to fulfill the foundation’s mission. Professionals in foundation development work to secure funding, build partnerships, and ensure the foundation's long-term sustainability and impact. The role requires strong communication and organizational skills, as well as a passion for philanthropy and community service.

What is the difference between Foundation Development vs Foundation Repair?

AspectFoundation DevelopmentFoundation Repair
Primary FocusConstructing new foundations for buildings and structuresFixing and stabilizing existing foundations
Required CredentialsEngineering degrees, construction certificationsEngineering or construction certifications, specialized repair training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, new building projectsExisting structures, repair sites
Industry UsageConstruction, civil engineeringBuilding maintenance, structural engineering

Foundation Development involves constructing new foundations for buildings, focusing on design and installation. Foundation Repair centers on diagnosing and fixing issues in existing foundations to ensure stability. While both roles require engineering knowledge and construction skills, Foundation Development is about creating new structures, whereas Foundation Repair is about restoring existing ones.

What job categories do people searching Foundation Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Foundation Development jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Foundation Development job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Foundation Development Officer - Northern California & Central Valley

Foundation Development Officer - Northern California & Central Valley

GRID ALTERNATIVES

Oakland, CA • On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 hours ago


Job description

Description

About GRID Alternatives


GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service-learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.


Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.

Our Mission: to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.


What it's like to work at GRID...


At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports learning, growth and well-being of all of our team members. 


Summary of the role:

GRID Alternatives is looking for a Foundation Development Officer - Northern California & Central Valley to join our national Headquarters Philanthropy team and lead our efforts to increase major, impact-driven funding partnerships from local Northern and Central Valley California area foundations and manage a current portfolio of partners who have committed to GRID. Our organization is well-positioned to dramatically increase support from this sector, thanks to rapidly growing interest from the funder community around the intersection of climate change and economic and racial justice, and our status as a growing national nonprofit organization with a proven track record of building community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.


This is a great opportunity for a superb proposal writer, partnerships thought leader and relationship manager looking for a leadership opportunity.


What you will be doing (essential responsibilities):

  • Work directly with the Regional Foundation Manager, Director of Regional Philanthropy, Northern California Executive Director, and Central Valley California Executive Directors to spearhead efforts to raise major 5- to 7-figure funding partnerships from locally based philanthropic foundations, including developing and implementing fundraising and thought leadership strategies
  • Manage a portfolio of funders making annual and multi-year grants, including reporting on existing grants, submitting new funding applications, coordinating engagement opportunities, and cultivating long-term relationships
  • Provide key thought leadership and drive collaboration with Northern California and Central Valley leadership on foundation fundraising strategy, case for support development, and identifying opportunities to grow program and organizational capacity through major partnerships
  • Serve as a key member of GRID Alternatives' national fundraising team, including developing long-term fund development strategies and related thought leadership efforts around the importance of equitable renewable energy, workforce development and clean transportation programs
  • Promote a Culture of Philanthropy across the organization
  • Participate in GRID NorCal/CV affiliate activities to build and strengthen relationships with staff and deepen knowledge about the affiliate's work and communities


Requirements

Your areas of knowledge and expertise...

  • Passionate advocate for renewable energy, affordable housing, workforce development, and/or environmental justice work
  • Ability to develop a prospecting strategy to secure new funders
  • 4-5 or more years of professional nonprofit fundraising or grantmaking experience, including a demonstrated track record of managing major 5- to 7-figure foundation partnerships
  • Demonstrated exceptional persuasive writing skills, including both grant writing, oral presentations and email communication
  • Excellent organizational skills, follow-through, and attention to detail and deadlines
  • Excellent collaboration skills, including the ability to coordinate and communicate effectively and efficiently with a variety of internal team members
  • Solid computer productivity skills, including Microsoft Office and Google Apps
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
  • Comfortable working as part of a team in a hard-working, informal, high-growth organization

Preferred Qualifications

  • Specific experience with renewable energy, affordable housing, workforce development, and/or environment/environmental justice work
  • Existing relationships with local and national foundations that focus on climate change, environmental justice and/or economic opportunity, specifically in the LOCATION region
  • Experience working with or in a large, networked organization
  • Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM

Compensation:  


The compensation range for this fulltime position is $80,000-$90,000. The base pay that will actually be offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity. 


Benefits:


Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance 


Where you will sit & the places you may go...


The ideal candidate will sit in Northern California. This position may require up to 25% out-of-town travel to regional offices and special projects such as org-wide celebrations, team building exercises, etc. Availability to work nights and weekends may very rarely be required. GRID Alternatives may provide vehicles for work travel and/or travel reimbursement for personal vehicle use. In this instance, applicants must hold a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.   


Important to note for California applicants:


 **Hired CA candidates must be able to pass a screening for drugs that are illegal in the state of California, including: amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, opiates, and PCP. 


Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers with a Disability:


 If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: RECRUITING@GRIDALTERNATIVES.ORG 


Ready to Apply?


Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted.   


GRID Alternatives provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Because we value EID at GRID Alternatives, we encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications. Every member of GRID Alternatives must be dedicated to participating in the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.