What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Development, Pepperwood Preserve (Santa Rosa) position at Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Gate Chapter (AFP Golden Gate)?
Director of Development
Pepperwood Preserve
Full Time
Job Summary
Directly reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development leads our organization’s long-term and short-term fundraising strategies, execution, and evaluation, with an estimated annual goal of at least $2.5M in philanthropic support. They will create the annual revenue generation plan across our entire fundraising portfolio and support long-term financial planning and sustainability. They will be charged with building and growing relationships with existing and prospective funders —as well as prospecting for new funders and funding avenues. The Director of Development supervises a four-person Philanthropy Team, including specialists in Major Gifts, events and outreach, communications, and database management. This position serves on the Leadership Team, and will support the Board´s Development Committee. Under the oversight of the Executive Director, they will ensure revenues align with program needs and priorities. This position will also advise on grant opportunities in collaboration with the Conservation Science Director.
Full Job Description
Opportunity Announcement: Director of Development
December 2025
Status: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director
Timeline: Position will be open until filled
Organization Overview
The Pepperwood Foundation is currently seeking qualified candidates to serve as our organization’s Director of Development. Pepperwood owns and operates a 3,200-acre reserve in Sonoma County dedicated to ecological research, education, and conservation action. The mission of Pepperwood is to inspire conservation through science. The base of operations for this position is the Dwight Center for Conservation Science at Pepperwood, a 9,400-square foot administrative and educational facility located on the reserve. Our staff totals nearly 25 and our annual operating budget is approaching $5M, with revenues consisting of a portfolio of grants, major gifts, and earned income. See more about our programs at http://www.pepperwoodpreserve.org.
Job Summary
Directly reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development leads our organization’s long-term and short-term fundraising strategies, execution, and evaluation, with an estimated annual goal of at least $2.5M in philanthropic support. They will create the annual revenue generation plan across our entire fundraising portfolio and support long-term financial planning and sustainability. They will be charged with building and growing relationships with existing and prospective funders —as well as prospecting for new funders and funding avenues. The Director of Development supervises a four-person Philanthropy Team, including specialists in Major Gifts, events and outreach, communications, and database management. This position serves on the Leadership Team, and will support the Board´s Development Committee. Under the oversight of the Executive Director, they will ensure revenues align with program needs and priorities. This position will also advise on grant opportunities in collaboration with the Conservation Science Director.
Roles and Responsibilities
Dwight Center for Conservation Science at Pepperwood. Work primarily on-site (a minimum of 3 days per week) with some Bay Area travel. Office setting: cubicle workstations, artificial lighting, public spaces and classrooms. Outdoor facilities: 3,200-acre nature reserve. Will require working on weekends and evenings on- or off-site for occasional special events.
Physical Requirements
Physical requirements include the ability to negotiate two story building and participate in outdoor events including receptions and hikes over uneven terrain. Office workstation requires extended sitting and fine finger movements and visual capacity to review and edit documents. Donor events may entail navigating trails on the reserve spanning a range of elevations. Driving required for local travel. Able to lift 20 pounds.
Compensation Range & Details
Salary: $130,000-160,000
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter plus a curriculum vitae including three references to recruit@leapsolutions.com with the subject line “Last Name – Director of Development”. We will contact candidates directly who are selected to interview. Pepperwood is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, ability, religion, color, sex, age, or marital status
Location: Sonoma
Job Type: Full Time
Job Category – Development, Fundraising
Contact Email: recruit@leapsolutions.com
Company Address
2130 Pepperwood Preserve
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
US
Apply
recruit@leapsolutions.com
Company Website
View Job PDF
Pepperwood Preserve
Full Time
Job Summary
Directly reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development leads our organization’s long-term and short-term fundraising strategies, execution, and evaluation, with an estimated annual goal of at least $2.5M in philanthropic support. They will create the annual revenue generation plan across our entire fundraising portfolio and support long-term financial planning and sustainability. They will be charged with building and growing relationships with existing and prospective funders —as well as prospecting for new funders and funding avenues. The Director of Development supervises a four-person Philanthropy Team, including specialists in Major Gifts, events and outreach, communications, and database management. This position serves on the Leadership Team, and will support the Board´s Development Committee. Under the oversight of the Executive Director, they will ensure revenues align with program needs and priorities. This position will also advise on grant opportunities in collaboration with the Conservation Science Director.
Full Job Description
Opportunity Announcement: Director of Development
December 2025
Status: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director
Timeline: Position will be open until filled
Organization Overview
The Pepperwood Foundation is currently seeking qualified candidates to serve as our organization’s Director of Development. Pepperwood owns and operates a 3,200-acre reserve in Sonoma County dedicated to ecological research, education, and conservation action. The mission of Pepperwood is to inspire conservation through science. The base of operations for this position is the Dwight Center for Conservation Science at Pepperwood, a 9,400-square foot administrative and educational facility located on the reserve. Our staff totals nearly 25 and our annual operating budget is approaching $5M, with revenues consisting of a portfolio of grants, major gifts, and earned income. See more about our programs at http://www.pepperwoodpreserve.org.
Job Summary
Directly reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development leads our organization’s long-term and short-term fundraising strategies, execution, and evaluation, with an estimated annual goal of at least $2.5M in philanthropic support. They will create the annual revenue generation plan across our entire fundraising portfolio and support long-term financial planning and sustainability. They will be charged with building and growing relationships with existing and prospective funders —as well as prospecting for new funders and funding avenues. The Director of Development supervises a four-person Philanthropy Team, including specialists in Major Gifts, events and outreach, communications, and database management. This position serves on the Leadership Team, and will support the Board´s Development Committee. Under the oversight of the Executive Director, they will ensure revenues align with program needs and priorities. This position will also advise on grant opportunities in collaboration with the Conservation Science Director.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet the organization’s annual revenue goals, in collaboration with the Development Team, Leadership Team and Board.
- Work closely with the Board of Directors and Leadership Team on sustainable long-term fundraising strategies and goals.
- Manage Development team and support team building and professional growth.
- Lead the Development Team in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, corporate partnerships, and grant opportunities, including the production of strategic special events, in order to achieve or surpass the annual fundraising goals
- Oversee the development and application of effective fundraising communications and marketing materials.
- As a member of the Leadership Team, foster collaboration across programs and advance an organizational culture of belonging combined with excellence in execution, modeling our values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity.
- Monitor and analyze fundraising data to evaluate performance against annual targets and adjust strategies as needed, and provide oversight on fundraising databases, protocols and systems.
- Develop and monitor the development budget, projected revenue needs, and monthly cash flow projections, with Chief Operations Officer support.
- Stay current with projected trends in philanthropy and shifts in best practices and apply to Pepperwood strategies.
- Participate in the conservation philanthropy community as a leader and represent the organization regionally at private and public events to funders and the public.
- Engage and strategize in all aspects of the fundraising moves management processes.
- Offer strategic communications to support a culture of philanthropy across all staff, board and stewards
- An engaging and enthusiastic people-person, with a heart-centered approach to the environment, fundraising, team supervision and the mission and values of Pepperwood.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising leadership, including team supervision.
- A proven track record of success in soliciting 6 figure contributions via individual, foundation, corporate, grants, and legacy giving.
- Outstanding communication skills, including proven ability to write compelling donor communications, grant proposals, and marketing materials.
- Familiarity with platforms including SalesForce, SLACK, Google Suite, ASANA.
- Strong financial acumen and experience developing budget and cash flow projections with finance and operations partners.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in marketing, communications, business administration, or a related field.
- A commitment to bringing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging values to fundraising activities and all aspects of program operations.
- Comfortable engaging donors in outdoor settings—including physical activity for a 3-mile hikes to showcase the land and mission in action.
Dwight Center for Conservation Science at Pepperwood. Work primarily on-site (a minimum of 3 days per week) with some Bay Area travel. Office setting: cubicle workstations, artificial lighting, public spaces and classrooms. Outdoor facilities: 3,200-acre nature reserve. Will require working on weekends and evenings on- or off-site for occasional special events.
Physical Requirements
Physical requirements include the ability to negotiate two story building and participate in outdoor events including receptions and hikes over uneven terrain. Office workstation requires extended sitting and fine finger movements and visual capacity to review and edit documents. Donor events may entail navigating trails on the reserve spanning a range of elevations. Driving required for local travel. Able to lift 20 pounds.
Compensation Range & Details
Salary: $130,000-160,000
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter plus a curriculum vitae including three references to recruit@leapsolutions.com with the subject line “Last Name – Director of Development”. We will contact candidates directly who are selected to interview. Pepperwood is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, ability, religion, color, sex, age, or marital status
Location: Sonoma
Job Type: Full Time
Job Category – Development, Fundraising
Contact Email: recruit@leapsolutions.com
Company Address
2130 Pepperwood Preserve
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
US
Apply
recruit@leapsolutions.com
Company Website
View Job PDF
Salary : $130,000 - $160,000