About the Organization

Heal the Bay is the most recognized environmental nonprofit group in LA for a reason: we have been keeping Southern California's coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for people and marine life since 1985. Using education, science, advocacy, and community action, we raise awareness and make progress with practical solutions to often complex problems. We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods. We advocate for strict water quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers, and the Santa Monica Bay home. We operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards for the region’s most important natural resource: clean water. Our aquarium hosts 100,000 visitors annually of which 10,000-15,000 are students. Learn more about us at www.healthebay.org/our-impact

About the Role

Heal the Bay is seeking a full-time Development Specialist, Major Gifts professional to support the organization’s overall fundraising plan and year-round campaigns. Heal the Bay’s Development Specialist position requires approximately 70% Fundraising and 30% Administrative responsibilities. Under the supervision of the Director of Development, the Development Specialist will primarily solicit, cultivate, and steward individual donors, including high net-worth prospects, in support of the organization’s fundraising goals.

Expectations & Responsibilities

• The Development Specialist will collaborate with the Advancement team to create and implement strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and financial support.
• Responsible for executing fundraising strategies that lead to pipeline development, including, but not limited to direct mail, donor relations, cultivation events, annual giving, memorials and tributes, and the organization’s Signature events (Bring Back the Beach gala, Golf Tournament, ONE Water Day).
• Responsible for producing compelling case statements, pitch letters, gift acknowledgements, and stewardship-related materials for Advancement team use.
• Research, identify, and cultivate relationships with individuals who will serve as donors for Heal the Bay’s clean water mission and other priorities as identified by leadership.
• The Development Specialist will also support the organization’s year-round direct mail campaigns in partnership with the Communications and Data departments.
• Demonstrate a commitment to best practices in fundraising, especially major donor cultivation, donor relations, annual giving, memorials and tributes and direct mail.
• Support the creation and execution of donor relation and stewardship plans for individual donors.
• Responsible for meeting the organization’s major donor revenue targets, in coordination with the Director of Development and CEO, as well as the execution of a broader fundraising plan, which includes measurable goals, metrics, and specific strategies for expanding both levels and sources of support.
• Seek donations from individuals by stewarding relationships with current donors and cultivating relationships with new prospects in support of the organization’s programs through the organization’s Signature events (Bring Back the Beach gala, Golf Tournament, ONE Water Day).
• Use a CRM (Salesforce) to reflect contact with donors while maintaining utmost confidentiality.
• Responsible for using donor search engines and other software critical designed to record, research, prospect and cultivate relationships with donors.
• Assist with the execution of administrative tasks, including processing stock donations and donor-advised fund gifts.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding and advancing the organization’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), potentially including participation in Heal the Bay’s JEDI Committee.
• The Development Specialist will perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Three-five years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including a background in donor stewardship and securing four- and five-figure gifts.
• The successful candidate will have exceptional interpersonal and writing skills, possess strong attention to detail, demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, and will ideally be proficient in Salesforce and Emma (or similar email platform).
• The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently as well as in collaboration with a team and across departments.
• The successful candidate will complete assigned tasks with accuracy and minimal direction.
• Strong computer skills, data entry and Microsoft Office, including advanced skills in Microsoft Excel is required.
• Ability to establish and maintain tracking systems.
• Ability to develop and implement departmental procedures.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, if necessary.

Compensation

This is a non-exempt, full-time position

Wages: $30-35/hour (based on experience) with appropriate state and federal taxes withheld.

Benefits

Dental, health insurance, and vacation benefits are included as part of employment. Heal the Bay covers 90% of benefit package.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Must be available for some weekends, evenings. Heal the Bay works on a hybrid schedule of in office work 2 days per week. Heal the Bay offers a dynamic work environment with highly motivated staff and volunteers.