Director of Individual Giving

Job opening: Director of Individual Giving

Do you love connecting people to causes they care about? Are you a seasoned, savvy fundraiser who can craft an engaging campaign, take a deep dive into donor data and everything in between? Do you enjoy a work environment where you’ll be challenged, juggle multiple projects, take lunch breaks with lemurs, and — best of all — play an essential role in supporting and enhancing the work of San Jose’s beloved park and zoo?

Happy Hollow Foundation is looking for a Director of Individual Giving to create and implement strategies to help us meet ambitious fundraising goals. The foundation is a small but mighty nonprofit that supports Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in its mission to connect people to nature through play. Happy Hollow, which is owned and operated by the City of San Jose, is a 16-acre park and accredited zoo that features more than 60 species of animals, a variety of family-friendly rides and a historic puppet theater. 

We believe there is tons of fundraising potential waiting to be tapped in a community that adores Happy Hollow. We are seeking a relentlessly positive, whip-smart team player who is excited to develop next-level goals and implement strategies to achieve them. Superb written and verbal communication skills are a must. Two paws up for data nerds and spreadsheet wizards! 

Job Summary

The Director of Individual Giving is responsible for planning, organizing and directing Happy Hollow Foundation’s individual giving endeavors with the goal of boosting and sustaining donor engagement and gift revenue through broad efforts and high-touch, targeted engagement. The director will manage all aspects of individual giving, including annual giving campaigns, planned giving, portfolio management and events. The Director will partner with the Executive Director to develop moves management processes for major gift donors and prospects. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and implement a plan to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward individual donors. This will include a detailed assessment of individual giving strategies and results, and designing multi-year fundraising goals. Establish a framework for growing qualified individual prospects; establish and deliver a high level of prospect analysis and assessment of the individual giving pool.  Research, pitch and implement a planned giving program. Oversee management of Happy Hollow Foundation’s individual giving circle, Danny the Dragon’s Dreambuilders. Solicit renewals, communicate the impact of donor gifts, manage Dreambuilder events, and work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to grow participation in this program. Develop an integrated, data-driven solicitation strategy using mail, e-mail, web platforms, social media, live and virtual events, and other forms of donor engagement focused on increasing levels of annual support.  Help build strategy to engage supporters and solicit new ones in giving opportunities, including fundraising and donor appreciation events and end-of-year giving campaign. Lead strategic efforts in collaboration with Happy Hollow leadership and membership staff to build and strengthen the pipeline of members becoming more engaged and contributing philanthropic gifts. Working with the Executive Director, set priorities and develop work plans, determine annual goals, metrics, messaging, budget and timelines for annual giving. Develop tracking and reporting systems for key metrics.  Identify prospects better managed in a major gift portfolio and ensure smooth transition. Additional responsibilities as assigned based on changing needs of the organization.

Work Experience and Qualification Requirements

Minimum 5 years of increasing responsibility in professional fundraising or similar field.  Demonstrated experience in annual fund growth and in the creation and implementation of successful multi-channel gift strategies and tactics. Demonstrated experience with all aspects of prospect relationship-building, including cultivating, soliciting and stewarding gifts; experience with organizations seeking to grow and deepen qualified prospect pools. Ability to clearly present and represent the mission of Happy Hollow Foundation and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.  Well-developed interpersonal skills. Ability to interact and collaborate with diverse groups. Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with donors, supervisors, colleagues, volunteers including the board of directors, visitors, and the general public. Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to work independently, transparently, and proactively while keeping the Executive Director apprised of opportunities, issues and progress. High degree of integrity, ethical decision-making and commitment to maintaining confidentiality. Strong organizational skills, including ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines. Strong writing skills. (Sample required.) Experience working with CRM systems and reporting tools like Little Green Light or comparable systems. Proficiency with Google Drive and Microsoft Office.

Compensation and benefits

This is a full-time position including occasional evening and weekend assignments.  Salary range is $90,000-$95,000 annually. Offer will be dependent on experience.  10 days of paid time off and 10 paid holidays annually. Includes health benefits (medical, dental, vision), life insurance and retirement account. 

Hiring process

We will read your cover letter first; please explain why you are interested in this job and what makes you a strong candidate. Give us a clever, fun look at what makes you you! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We will begin by scheduling short phone interviews. Qualified candidates will be invited for an in-person interview and be expected to bring two relevant work samples. Finalists will be invited to a second interview; references will be required and checked.  We will make an offer shortly thereafter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Happy Hollow Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and all employment decisions are decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

How to apply

Email cover letter and resume to Executive Director Amy Pizarro at director@happyhollow.org. Submissions without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.