Major Gifts Officer

Apply On Talent Market

 

About California Policy Center

The California Policy Center (CPC) is a nonprofit public policy organization dedicated to expanding freedom and opportunity across California. Through policy research, litigation, local elected official engagement, and citizen activation, CPC equips Californians with the tools and information needed to advance education freedom, fiscal transparency, and accountable government.

CPC is building durable policy and legal infrastructure to shape California’s future. Philanthropy is central to that mission.

About the Role

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a significant portfolio of donors and prospects and play a central role in CPC’s fundraising growth. This position is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors contributing to a high-performing development program capable of sustained expansion.

This is an opportunity for a relationship-driven fundraiser who enjoys direct donor engagement, frequent solicitation, and measurable outcomes. The Major Gifts Officer will work closely with the Director of Development, the President and senior leadership.

The Major Gifts Officer will report directly to the Director of Development. Candidates based in Orange County, California are preferred. Candidates working remotely within California or willing to relocate will be given first consideration, but exceptional candidates out of state will still be considered.  A hybrid schedule is available.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Solicitation

  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 70 major donors and prospects and 20 foundations
  • Develop and execute individualized moves-management plans for each
  • Conduct regular donor meetings, calls, and follow-up
  • Solicit and close five- and six-figure gifts
  • Secure renewals and multi-year commitment.
  • Maintain accurate records and next steps for all relationships

Stewardship & Growth

  • Implement clear stewardship plans for all assigned donors
  • Ensure timely follow-up, reporting, and relationship management
  • Identify and qualify new major donor prospects

Performance Outcomes

Success in this role will be measured by:

  • Raise towards a $3.5M+ team goal.
  • Complete regular, in-person donor meetings annually
  • Achieve 80%+ major donor retention
  • Contribute to growth of qualified major donor pipeline

First-Year Priorities

During the first year, the Major Gifts Officer will:

  • Demonstrate success securing first time major gifts
  • Evaluate and segment assigned donor portfolio
  • Build 12-month moves plans for top relationships
  • Establish consistent cadence of donor meetings and solicitations
  • Strengthen stewardship and reporting systems
  • Maintain clear pipeline visibility and revenue forecasting

Qualifications

Required:

  • 2-5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience
  • Ability to travel up to 30% for donor meetings and events
  • Demonstrated success securing major gifts
  • Strong relationship-building and communication skills
  • Experience managing donor portfolios and pipelines
  • High level of organization and follow-through

Preferred:

  • Experience in public policy or advocacy organizations
  • Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM
  • Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and foundations

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be:

  • Comfortable making direct and frequent gift solicitations
  • Highly relationship-driven and externally focused
  • Organized and disciplined in follow-through
  • Motivated by clear revenue goals and accountability
  • Aligned with CPC’s mission and vision

Who Should Not Apply

  • Candidates seeking an events-only or administrative fundraising role
  • Fundraisers uncomfortable making direct major gift asks
  • Individuals not motivated by measurable revenue goals
  • Applicants not aligned with CPC’s mission and policy priorities

Compensation & Bonus Structure

Salary range $80,000–$120,000, commensurate with experience and fundraising track record. Performance-based bonus of up to 20% tied directly to revenue and retention outcomes.

High performers may exceed listed compensation through bonus structure.

Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful donor relationships and help fund one of California’s most influential policy organizations while developing a strong track record in major gift fundraising.

Qualified candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to California Policy Center’s mission
    • Key metrics that show your development experience
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: bailey@talentmarket.org.

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.