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Fund Development Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Development Manager

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

Plan and execute Annual Fund events and fundraising appeals including Fall Appeal, Helix ... Supervise the Development Operations Associate to manage donor CRM, gift records, email lists

New

Bachelor's degree * 5+ years' experience with fund development * Experience with CRM systems (e.g. Livelmpact) * Proficiency with MS Office * Bilingual in English/Spanish Key Competencies: * Ability ...

Accountant Grants

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$58K - $79K/yr

Position Summary Working under the direction of the Director of Finance and Accounting and working closely with the Fund Development Manager and the Resident Services Manager, the Grants Accountant ...

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Fund Development Manager information

See California salary details

$29.1K

$70.2K

$103.1K

How much do fund development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for fund development manager in California is $70,193.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,800.00 and $85,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Fund Development Manager vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectFund Development ManagerFundraising Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in fundraising or developmentHigh school diploma or equivalent, some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, educational institutions, healthcareNonprofits, community groups, event-based settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations with ongoing development programsUsed for specific campaigns or events
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding strategic development rolesLearning about entry-level or support roles in fundraising

The Fund Development Manager oversees comprehensive fundraising strategies, manages donor relationships, and develops long-term development plans. The Fundraising Coordinator typically supports specific campaigns or events, focusing on executing fundraising activities. While both roles require fundraising knowledge, the manager has broader responsibilities and strategic oversight, whereas the coordinator handles operational tasks.

What are some common challenges fund development managers face when building relationships with donors?

Fund Development Managers often encounter challenges such as donor fatigue, competition from other organizations, and cultivating long-term relationships beyond one-time gifts. Building trust and demonstrating the impact of donations is crucial, which requires consistent communication and transparency. Additionally, adapting fundraising strategies to suit diverse donor preferences and leveraging technology for donor engagement can be essential for success in this role.

What does a fund development manager do?

A fund development manager is responsible for planning and executing strategies to raise funds for an organization, often through grants, donations, and fundraising events. They build relationships with donors, manage fundraising campaigns, and ensure compliance with funding requirements, typically using tools like donor management software. Strong communication, networking skills, and knowledge of nonprofit funding are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fund development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fund Development Manager, you need expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, and financial planning, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser’s Edge or DonorPerfect) and certifications like CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) are highly valued. Outstanding communication, relationship-building, and project management skills help you engage donors and lead fundraising initiatives. These skills ensure sustainable revenue streams and foster strong community support for organizational growth.

Is fundraising a stressful job?

Fund Development Managers often find fundraising to be a high-pressure role due to targets, donor relationships, and deadlines. The job requires strong communication, organization, and resilience, which can contribute to stress levels, especially during busy fundraising campaigns or economic downturns.
What are the most commonly searched types of Fund Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Fund Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Fund Development Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Fund Development Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Fund Development Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,193 per year, or $33.7 per hour.

Development Manager

The Helix School

San Rafael, CA • On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Purpose of the Position
The Development Manager's primary responsibility is to execute the school's planned Annual Fund campaigns, events, and donor communications strategies, grow the general donor base deepening relations with Helix family and community donors, and collaborate with members of the leadership team on identifying institutional and major donor prospects. Responsibilities includes raising funds for the Annual Fund (approx. $200,000) via fundraising campaigns, events, and direct solicitation; launching a new monthly donor program; managing donor communications (impact newsletter and fundraising campaigns); supporting the annual Luminary Gala and Paths to Possibility 5K events; and supervising the Development Operations Associate to deliver exceptional donor experiences.
Essential Functions
  • Plan and execute Annual Fund events and fundraising appeals including Fall Appeal, Helix Connections, Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Giving Tuesday, Year-end Appeal, I Love Helix days, and Move-a-thon fundraising
  • Be present across campus getting to know staff and interacting with students and families. Engage with parents and guardians to inspire giving & volunteering for the Annual Fund
  • Build a portfolio of Annual Fund donors collaborating with Development Director on moves management and qualifying donors for major gifts pursuits
  • Play an instrumental role helping execute the spring Luminary Gala and fall Paths to Possibility 5K
  • Plan and launch the Helix Monthly Donor Program and grow participation via benefits including launching the Pedroncelli Helix wine club for members
  • Manage and cultivate a portfolio of annual donor prospects, soliciting gifts within a giving threshold to meet Annual Fund goal of $200,000.00
  • Design, write, and develop content for email, direct mail, peer-to-peer fundraising, social media, and paid advertising, collaborating with marketing manager and marketing vendor as needed
  • Supervise the Development Operations Associate to manage donor CRM, gift records, email lists
  • Manage and oversee donor stewardship, gift acknowledgements, thanks, recognition, and pledge agreements, ensuring a high degree of engagement and satisfaction with all donors
  • Prepare development fundraising reports on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and as needed basis
  • Support and collaborate with the Helix Adult Academy team on their annual fund campaign, events, and donor communications
  • Research, recommend, and attend events, conferences, associations, and other community wide opportunities for Helix to participate in to broaden our exposure

Qualifications
  • Education, Experience & Competencies
    • Bachelor's degree
    • 4-5 years of relevant fundraising experience preferably in an independent school, NPS, college, or community fundraising environment
    • Demonstrated experience managing annual fund campaigns and events including peer-to-peer, web, and text-to-give, Galas, 5K races, private house parties, tabling events, online campaigns
    • Experience stewarding donors and soliciting/closing gifts up to $25,000; track record of raising at least $200,000 from a combination of online, event, direct mail, and in-person appeals
    • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills required to articulate goals and expectations internally, and to inspire donors to give toward Helix fundraising campaigns
    • Strong project management, organization, systems-thinking, and problem-solving skills
    • Collaborative, flexible, and energetic individual who develops and maintains effective working relationships with volunteers, prospects, donors, school families, Board members, and staff
    • Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and independently
    • Experience reconciling fundraising records with accounting on a monthly basis
  • Required Technical Proficiency and experience
    • Adept at creating professional presentations and proposals via Canva, PowerPoint, WORD
    • Direct experience and demonstrable skills writing, formatting, and managing email campaigns, and managing tags and segments in Mailchimp, Bloomerang, Constant Contact, or HubSpot
    • Experienced at producing or overseeing highly engaging social media content, reels, surveys, posts via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
    • Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Office programs, popular social media platforms, fundraising platforms (Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang), CANVA, PowerPoint, CapCut/video editing tools
    • Minimum 3 years advanced hands-on experience in Salesforce, Blackbaud, e-Tapestry, Bloomerang, QGiv, or other comparable CRMs and fundraising platforms
    • Payment processors, portals, and protocols: Benevity, Square, PayPal, QGIV, DAFs, and the like. Experience processing gifts-in-kind, soft credits, split gifts, pledges, pledge payments.
    • Core technologies: Proficient in Microsoft Word (editing functions), Excel (filters, Pivot tables, VLookUP), Powerpoint; via CANVA, Google Suite programs, fundraising, and preference for expertise in social media content generation including creating reels with video editing tools
    • Proficiency leveraging Claude or other LLMs for research and projects, discerning appropriate limits so donor communications and campaigns retain sincerity and authenticity
  • Physical Demands & Work Environment
    • Sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the campus and event spaces during the workday
    • Lift and carry up to 25 lbs
    • Push and pull doors, carts, boxes, or event equipment as needed
    • Maintain professional composure and emotional self-regulation during stressful, unpredictable, or confrontational situations which, though rare, may occur with students, families, visitors, or other members of the school community
    • Occasionally work evenings or weekends supporting fundraising events and school activities

Working Relationships
This position reports directly to the Development Director and supervises the Development Operations Associate. The Development Manager collaborates regularly with Marketing Manager, vendors, school staff and faculty, members of the Leadership team, and the Director and programs team at THAA.
Equal Opportunity Statement The Helix School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.
To Apply
Submit a cover letter with resume via job link (applications without a cover letter will not be considered). Professional references will be required.