Description
About Rancho Cielo
Rancho Cielo is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved and at-risk youth by providing education, vocational training, counseling, and life skills development. In partnership with John Muir Charter School, we support students in earning their high school diploma while preparing them for success in their careers and lives.
Position Summary
Rancho Cielo is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Director of Philanthropy to lead and grow the organization’s major gifts, planned giving, endowment, and capital funding efforts. This role is responsible for building strong relationships with high-capacity donors, developing long-term giving strategies, and securing significant and multi-year gifts that support the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and growth.
The Director of Philanthropy will partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer to identify, cultivate, and steward major donors and will work in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer on endowment growth, capital project funding, and long-term revenue strategy.
This position focuses on major donors and long-term funding, while working collaboratively with Development, Marketing, and Grants to ensure a coordinated and effective fundraising strategy.
Employment Classification: Full-Time/Exempt
Reporting Structure
Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer
Works closely with the Chief Financial Officer on financial strategy, endowment growth, and long-term funding.
Collaborates with Development, Marketing, and Grants teams
Direct Reports
Annual Gifts Manager
Key Responsibilities
Major Gifts & Donor Strategy
Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts
Develop tailored donor strategies and gift proposals
Conduct donor meetings and presentations in partnership with the CEO
Build and manage a strong pipeline of major gift prospects
Increase average gift size and multi-year commitment
Planned Giving & Endowment
Develop and implement a planned giving program
Promote legacy giving opportunities (bequests, beneficiary designations, trusts, IRA gifts)
Establish and grow a Legacy Society
Partner with donors and advisors on planned gift strategies
Work with Finance to support endowment growth and long-term funding strategies
Capital Projects & Naming Opportunities
Identify and cultivate donors for capital projects
Develop and present naming opportunities
Structure multi-year pledges and capital gifts
Support fundraising efforts tied to campus improvements and program expansion
CEO & Leadership Partnership
Identify and prepare high-capacity donor opportunities for the CEO
Develop briefing materials and donor strategies
Coordinate donor meetings, follow-ups, and stewardship activities
Support the CEO in closing major and transformational gifts
Fundraising Strategy & Collaboration
Contribute to overall fundraising strategy and donor pipeline development
Establish goals, metrics, and accountability for major gifts and planned giving
Collaborate with:
Development (events, sponsorships, annual giving)
Marketing (communications, donor messaging)
Grants (foundation strategy)
Finance (endowment, pledge tracking, financial planning)
Strengthen donor stewardship practices and fundraising processes
Financial & Strategic Alignment (with CFO)
Collaborate on:
Endowment growth strategy
Major gift agreements and pledge structures
Multi-year revenue forecasting
Capital project funding strategies
Naming opportunities and financial modeling
Ensure alignment between fundraising strategy and financial sustainability goals
Requirements
Qualifications
7–15+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, major gifts, or philanthropy
Proven track record of securing major gifts
Experience with planned giving, endowment, or capital campaigns preferred
Strong relationship-building and donor engagement skills
Experience working with senior leadership and/or boards
Strategic thinker with ability to build and grow programs
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Experience with donor CRM systems
Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree preferred
Key Performance Indicators (KPIS)
Major gift revenue
Planned giving commitments
Endowment growth contributions
Number of donor meetings and proposals
Multi-year pledges secured
Growth of major donor pipeline
Legacy Society participation
Capital project funding secured
Contribution to overall fundraising strategy and revenue growth
First Year Priorities
Assess current donor base and identify major gift opportunities
Build and manage a major donor portfolio
Launch or expand planned giving / Legacy Society program
Identify capital project funding opportunities and naming strategies
Develop donor pipeline, strategy, and reporting metrics
Establish strong partnership with CEO, CFO, and Development team
Increase major donor engagement and gift activity
