Director of Development, Southern California

THE ORGANIZATION
The Fuller Foundation is an independent Christian philanthropic services organization that provides financial support for Fuller Theological Seminary through annual and endowment fundraising, gift planning, capital campaign management, and funding for restricted purposes. Founded in 1987 and located in Pasadena, CA, the Foundation also offers estate planning, charitable trust administration, donor-advised funds, endowment management, and investment management services for Fuller’s supporters. The Fuller Foundation purview further encompasses Fuller’s extensive alumni relations programs, serving Fuller’s more than 40,000 alumni globally.

Fuller Theological Seminary, the organization that the Fuller Foundation serves and supports, has had a global impact and rich history throughout its 75-year history. Today, its focus is to offer God’s hope and healing in the world. One of the largest multidenominational seminaries in the world, Fuller serves 3,000 students and learners from 90 countries and 110 denominations. Two schools (School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy, and the School of Mission & Theology), multiple locations, and many renowned centers and institutions enable Fuller to offer a full range of master’s and doctoral programs in traditional, cohort-based, and virtual settings. Fuller further offers resources and significant formation and equipping opportunities for Christians who are not on a degree-track but are interested in deeper embodiment of their faith. From founder Charles E. Fuller’s original vision until now, Fuller Seminary’s core commitment has remained the same: equipping leaders with minds for scholarship and hearts for the unchanging, saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Fuller truly matters and its impact is felt around the world. If you have had previous success as a Major Gifts Officer, we invite you to consider joining our dynamic team, serving our donors and identifying prospects. Fuller’s vision is powerful and all-encompassing and is already exciting and energizing the substantial base of patrons in the Southern California region. These great friends are ready to be taken to the next level of engagement and support. This large base of support is also ready to identify new giving prospects utilizing high-level skills to communicate Fuller’s exciting vision. If you have had experience developing long-term, personal relationships with thoughtful families and foundations, this opportunity will enable you to serve as a partner to our donors who value Fuller’s role as one of the leading voices for faith, civility and justice in the global Church and wider culture.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Director of Development (a.k.a. Development Officer) provides overall direction, in an assigned territory, for the major gifts programs that support the mission, growth and vitality of Fuller. This position will support the Southern California region. They are responsible for building a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors from individuals, churches, and some foundations located in the specific areas assigned. Duties include, but are not limited to, making personal visits and written solicitations, hosting special events for donors, editing proposals and reports, providing timely correspondence, and reporting from donor visits, and initiating meetings for donors and prospects, all to ensure the success of assigned annual fundraising goals. They will be responsible for cultivating relationships with an emphasis on discovering and developing new relationships and funding partners. Additional responsibilities include the continued cultivation of existing donor relationships. They should be a dynamic and engaging fundraiser who can use effective techniques to articulate clear and compelling cases for supporting Fuller. This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Advancement at The Fuller Foundation.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a strategic gift solicitation plan for each donor in the Development Officer’s assigned portfolio.
• Generate major gifts from high-level donors and prospects within assigned regions.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward major gift donors and prospects.
• Maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects that generate major gifts ($10,000 to seven-figure gifts) from a wide range of sources including individuals, churches, and some foundations.
• Raise sustainable revenue for Fuller annually with agreed upon metrics.
• Build a strong portfolio of prospects and donors, guiding each through discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct 12 to 15 meaningful meetings per month, with an average of two major gift solicitations per month.
• Keep timely, accurate, and thorough records of all donor activities, major gift proposals, and gift pipeline in the Development CRM.
• Manage a cost-effective budget and expenses related to fundraising.
• Cultivate planned giving relationships with new and existing donors in coordination with the Gift Planning team.
• Promote the services of The Fuller Foundation to donors and alumni to assist in securing new client relationships.
• Work closely with existing donors, alumni, and other volunteers to identify new donor prospects to increase annual support.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with other members of the Development team and the greater Fuller community.
• Stay informed of emerging trends in the major gifts field, seminary institutions, and with Fuller Seminary.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Development Officer will be a fundraising professional with demonstrated experience cultivating and soliciting high-level prospects and donors and will bring the following qualifications:

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• Annual compensation will be competitive. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least five years of managing high-level, strategic donor relationships is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in securing at least five- and six- figure gifts from individual donors, churches, and foundations.
• Strong preference given to candidates who have experience raising funds in the Southern California region.
• Preference will also be given to candidates who reside in the greater Los Angeles area.
• An entrepreneurial self-starter with experience building new relationships from a large region while managing competing deadlines and attaining goals.
• Financial management skills with experience in budget analysis and planning.
• Strong communication skills with a persuasive ability, including strong written, verbal and presentation skills that can articulate compelling reasons for supporting Fuller.
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time.
• Ability to attend program and fundraising activities on evenings and weekends.
• High degree of technological proficiency, including experience with fundraising systems.
• Background check required.
• Candidates’ resident location closest to the territory of focus is highly preferred.
• An organizational wide performance review process is required for all employees and a required task of all supervisors along with regular 1:1 meetings with their direct reports.

COMMITMENT TO FOUNDATION’S VALUES

Expectations

• Share a commitment to our mission and purpose.
• Make quality service a top priority.
• Must contribute to an organizational culture based on collaboration, commitment to excellence, and curiosity.
• Be a team-player who also works independently.

COMMITMENT TO THE FOUNDATION’S CULTURE

To work with our team means adhering to these principles that guide our work together:

1. Collaboration
2. Commitment to excellence
3. Curiosity