Job Details

The Major Gifts Officer supports CEC's fundraising success by managing a portfolio of major and mid-tier individual donors, stewarding supporters through personalized engagement, coordinating donor-focused events and communications, and partnering with the CEO/Executive Director on top-tier leadership donor cultivation. This is a new frontline fundraising role without supervisory responsibilities, designed for a relationship-driven fundraiser who can manage a donor portfolio with increasing autonomy.

The Major Gifts Officer will collaborate closely with CEC's Development and Communications team and will receive strong database, administrative, and communications support. This team includes a Communications Director, Communications Manager, Development Associate, contract Green Gala events manager, contract grants writer, and volunteer planned giving lead. Overall strategy and top-tier donor ownership remain led by the CEO/Executive Director.

JOB STATUS AND BENEFITS

• Salaried Exempt, Full-time 40 hours a week
• This position is based in our Santa Barbara, California office and eligible for a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days working remotely each week.
• May require occasional evening or weekend hours to support events.
• We provide a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and a Simple IRA retirement plan and match.

ABOUT CEC

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is a bold, solutions-focused nonprofit that has been a leading environmental innovator for more than 50 years. Based on California's Central Coast, CEC develops and advances practical, equitable, and community-driven climate solutions with a focus on regenerative agriculture, zero waste, clean energy, and community resilience. Our team works collaboratively with partners across the region-including local governments, land stewards, farmers, and activists-to drive measurable progress and inspire systems-level change.

CEC operates with an annual budget of $3.5M and is supported by an engaged community of individual donors, foundations, and public partners. Our 2026 fundraising goal is $1 million. This target builds on the recent success of a $17M 50th Anniversary Campaign and the 260% growth of our Annual Fund over 5 years.

We are seeking a mission-driven Major Gifts Officer to join our Development and Communications team. This position plays a pivotal role in strengthening donor engagement across CEC's giving programs, stewarding a portfolio of committed supporters, and ensuring that donors feel informed, appreciated, and connected to the impact they make possible.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Portfolio & Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of 70 to 100 current and potential major donors, ensuring thoughtful cultivation, stewardship, and timely solicitation.
• Support the CEO/Executive Director with top-tier leadership donor cultivation, including identification, strategy, preparation, follow-up, and meeting support as appropriate.
• Meet regularly with Board members and other key allies (i.e President's Council) to identify prospective donors, surface relationship insights, and support them in stewarding their networks.
• Prepare donor briefings, conduct background research, and draft follow-up communications.
• Attend funder meetings-both foundations and major donors-when helpful for relationship building or continuity.
• Coordinate with the Development Associate to ensure moves management steps, meeting notes, follow-up tasks, and donor strategies are accurately captured in the database.

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Manage donor touchpoints, including acknowledgments, tailored updates, invitations, and program engagement opportunities.
• Design and implement donor recognition and appreciation strategies aligned with CEC's stewardship goals.
• Support planned giving stewardship alongside a planned giving volunteer lead and CEO/Executive Director.

Events and Donor Engagement

• Partner with a contract special events manager who leads Green Gala logistics; provide development-focused leadership on donor strategy, sponsorship cultivation, engagement planning, and post-event follow-up.
• Serve as lead for donor-focused stewardship events (salons, house parties, foundation receptions).
• Provide development strategy and donor support for select events led by the Outreach Director or other teams (lectures, films, resource fairs).

Communication & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work with Communications & Development Office teammates to ensure that donor-facing communications support CEC's fundraising strategy, including impact reports, appeals, websites, and other materials.
• Collaborate on annual appeals, donor newsletters, and other development-related content and communications activities.

Requirements

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Fundraising experience, preferably with individual major donors
• Strong relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills; comfort engaging with donors and funders.
• Experience preparing for and participating in donor meetings.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and work closely with executive leadership.
• Comfort with large databases and CRMs (Raiser's Edge experience a plus).
• Knowledge and understanding of budgets and the ability to work with Excel (or equivalent)
• Strong writing skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Event management or donor event support experience.
• A collaborative, thoughtful, and proactive working style.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) and stand/move for extended periods of time.

Salary Description

$100,000-$115,000