Nine Lives Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing at-risk cats, providing them with medical care, and finding them loving homes. We also offer low-cost spay/neuter services and a vaccine clinic for cats. Our team comprises energetic, motivated staff and volunteers with a deep passion for cat welfare.

Nine Lives has been in operation for over 20 years. We are at an exciting inflection point in our growth - we plan to move to a new larger facility in 2025, and are in the early stages of planning and launching a capital campaign to fund the move and allow us to purchase the building in 3-4 years.

Position Overview:
Nine Lives is seeking a skilled Development Director- Capital Campaign and Major Gifts Director to join our team in achieving our major gift fundraising objectives. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will be responsible for planning and managing the Capital Campaign and managing our portfolio of Major Donors (giving over $10K/year), making major gift proposals, developing and implementing protocols for key donor cultivation techniques, and utilizing volunteers, staff, and board members to assist with donor appreciation and communications. The Development Director will also lead the work of a small development team [a part-time Associate Director (Community Giving and Annual Fund) and an Assistant Manager (Research and Prospect Management) - both located remotely], setting priorities and goals, and providing direction to ensure alignment with overall fundraising strategy.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Define the strategy and overall pan for the Capital Campaign and for ongoing cultivation of major donors
• Recruiting and training fundraising staff and volunteer leaders as required
• Providing expertise and leading practices in all aspects of fundraising and major gifts

Fundraising and Donor Cultivation:

• Planning and evaluating fundraising campaigns and activities
• Creating & managing the organization’s development budget
• Identifying and stewarding prospective donors
• Planning and leading the major giving program
• Researching major gift donor prospects
• Growing relationships with major gift donors
• Developing a donor solicitation strategy for major gift prospects
• Designing and operating a donor stewardship program
• Tracking and assessing major gift fundraising metrics
• Drafting major gift proposal documents
• Planning and helping to facilitate major donor events
• Using major giving fundraising and marketing tools
• Working collaboratively with board members and staff on fundraising
• Implementing direct response initiatives to enhance donor engagement and retention
• Building relationships with local media outlets, and driving publicity for Nine Lives

Staff Management

• Guiding the work of our two off-site, part-time development staff, the Associate Director (Community Giving and Annual Fund) and the Assistant Manager (Research and Prospect Management). This includes defining priorities, providing input to work content (e.g., newsletters, emails, communications calendar), providing guidance on best practices and attending weekly check-in calls

Qualifications:

Education: Undergraduate degree required

Experience:

• At least five years of development/major gift/planned giving experience
• Experience managing a portfolio of Major Gifts donors ($10K+ annually)
• Must have held a leadership position in at least one Capital Campaign

Skills

• Thorough background in coordinating nonprofit donation strategies
• Experience with staff/volunteer coordination
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and donor databases
• Proficient using CRM systems (e.g., Donor Perfect), including configuration and reporting; donor data analysis; mass email tools (we use Constant Contact)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – in person, on the phone, and in writing
• Animal welfare experience a bonus
• Must love cats!

Location: Redwood City, CA (note that the role can be primarily remote; however, we are seeking a candidate who lives locally in order to join meetings at our offices and meet frequently with donors.)

About Nine Lives Foundation:
Nine Lives Foundation proudly provides lifelines for at-risk cats and kittens and affordable, compassionate care for our feline friends and the people who love them. Our organization has been in operation for 20 years, with an annual revenue of $2.8M, over $1M of which is raised through donations/fundraising. We operate two physical locations with a paid staff of 25 people and over 150 active volunteers.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to lead and further build a development function, spearhead a campaign to secure Nine Lives' future in a new home, and drive real change in our fundraising efforts.