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About the Role

The Senior Development Officer (NorCal) is a critical frontline fundraiser and strategist responsible for advancing CalTrout's major gifts program in Northern California. This role focuses on building relationships, storytelling, and developing strategies to elevate major giving and establish a new foundation revenue stream. The position requires managing a donor portfolio, owning the grant cycle, and working independently with no direct reports.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a major gifts strategy for Northern California, identifying donor density, upgrade potential, and cultivation sequencing.
Build and maintain a clear picture of the NorCal major gifts pipeline, reporting to the Director of Development.
Identify and pursue new major gift prospects in the NorCal region through proactive outreach and relationship development.
Partner with the Director of Development on portfolio strategy, solicitation planning, and long-term revenue growth.
Manage a portfolio of 50+ NorCal major gift donors and prospects, focusing on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each donor.
Utilize storytelling, field experiences, and impact reporting to engage donors.
Conduct regular donor meetings, both in-person and virtual.
Participate in NorCal fishing trips as a cultivation and relationship-deepening touchpoint.
Lead NorCal event follow-up and pipeline conversion.
Participate in regular portfolio reviews with the Director of Development.
Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes in CalTrout’s CRM.
Research and prospect NorCal-based community foundations, family foundations, and private foundations.
Own the full foundation grant cycle for assigned funders: prospect research, relationship cultivation, site visits, LOI and proposal writing, stewardship, and renewal.
Identify and prioritize foundation prospects through targeted research and network connections.
Maintain current records of all foundation relationships, proposal status, and stewardship touchpoints in CalTrout's CRM.
Partner closely with conservation staff and program leads to stay informed about CalTrout's work.
Draft personalized proposals, stewardship reports, and donor communications.
Represent CalTrout at NorCal events, site visits, and conservation gatherings.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in major gifts fundraising, relationship-based development, and/or foundation grant management, ideally in a conservation or mission-driven nonprofit setting.
Highly self-directed, with a track record of managing a portfolio independently and meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing major gifts strategy, including analytical thinking about cultivation and pipeline building.
Proven ability to move donors up the giving ladder through relationship depth and mission storytelling.
Proven ability to own a full foundation grant cycle independently.
Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; able to build authentic, long-term relationships.
Excellent written communication skills; able to craft compelling proposals and donor correspondence.
Familiarity with donor CRMs; data-savvy and detail-oriented.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Experience participating in donor-focused field experiences and events.
Passion for environmental conservation and CalTrout's mission.
Familiarity with California's rivers, fisheries, or fly fishing culture is a meaningful plus.
Willingness to travel regularly throughout Northern California and occasionally to Southern California.
Some evening and weekend availability required.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising
Relationship-based development
Foundation grant management
Major gifts strategy development
Pipeline management
Donor cultivation
Solicitation planning
Storytelling
Grant writing
Donor stewardship
CRM management
Interpersonal skills
Emotional intelligence
Written communication
Organizational skills
Time management
Prospect research

Location

San Francisco

Work Type

Hybrid
Full-Time

Experience Level

Senior

Salary/Compensations

$115,000 - $135,000

Benefits

Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
Health benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
Retirement plan with matching
Generous holidays
PTO benefits
Sabbatical leave

About the Company

California Trout (CalTrout) is a highly recognized and effective 501(c)3 conservation organization headquartered in San Francisco.
For over 50 years, CalTrout has championed initiatives focused on solving complex resource issues that balance the needs of fish and people.
CalTrout has six regionally based offices located in key geographies where wild fish influence local communities.
Our professional staff drives innovative, science-based solutions that work for the diverse interests of fish, farms, commerce and the community.
CalTrout is backed by a passionate Board of Directors, along with highly committed donors and a strong membership base.

Equal Opportunity

CalTrout does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.
Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective are proven to be better companies.
More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work is the right thing to do.