Apply Position open until filled, priority review deadline is January 12th.

We are committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply. Please apply with a resume and cover letter. 

Position Description

The Development Officer (DO) will work directly with Outward Bound California’s Advancement Director, Executive Director, and Board of Directors to lead and increase individual giving, manage donor cultivation strategies, and produce engaging fundraising events that support OBCA’s mission of providing transformative outdoor experiences for diverse audiences across California. 

This role will focus on cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of annual fund donors, securing gifts from major donors ($1,000+), and planning donor-focused events that engage the OBCA community and promote philanthropic support. The Development Officer will also be part of the team leading OBCA’s $2.25 million capital campaign in support of basecamp improvements and programming in Joshua Tree and Midpines, California. The DO will spend a significant amount of time in direct interaction with donors, helping donors fulfill their philanthropic interests through their giving to Outward Bound California.

Compensation & Schedule 

• This is a Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried position
• Salary commensurate with experience within the anticipated range of $90,000-$100,000

Benefits

• OBCA offers a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance with employer contribution, long-term disability and life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and 401(k) plan participation with employer match after one year of employment.
• Opportunities for professional development
• ProDeal, an opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at a discounted price

Location

• This position is remote, California-based with travel between Northern and Southern California. Candidates located in the Bay Area or  Los Angeles are preferred

Who We Are

We are Outward Bound California (OBCA). Through challenging outdoor experiences, we teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, confidence, and compassion. We offer a wide range of programs, including high/low ropes activities at our San Francisco Challenge Course and multi-day rock climbing/backpacking trips in the High Sierra or Joshua Tree. Our programs help our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) embrace challenges and reflect on how they want to contribute to their communities and the world. 

We are a part of the Outward Bound USA network with a 60-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students. Keep learning more about us here.

Equity and Inclusion Statement

We believe that all people should have safe access to the outdoors and culturally relevant and responsive educational programming. OBCA is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and honored for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture where we are always learning and improving toward a vision for equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are also committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage People of Color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.   

Who You Are

Outward Bound California does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here. If you have 75% of the following qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

Knowledge & Skills

• Minimum of three years of experience in major gifts fundraising, with progressive responsibility and a proven track record of securing visits with prospective donors, and soliciting, closing, and stewarding annual fund and major gifts of $10,000+
• Competitive candidates will have proven experience converting new donors/prospects into major donors
• Familiar with San Francisco Bay Area and/or Los Angeles philanthropic and nonprofit communities
• Available for occasional travel to visit current and prospective donors and basecamps in the High Sierra, Southern California, and the Bay Area
• Passionate about youth development, the environment, and outdoor education
• Knowledge of Outward Bound programming and philosophy, and a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors
• Salesforce power-user or deep experience with donor databases
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and to meet deadlines
• Ability to develop long-term plans, set objectives, and track progress towards achieving objectives
• Personal initiative, curiosity about people, and a sense of humor
• Friendly, outgoing, collaborative and flexible
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with office technology and information systems including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint/Slides, and donor databases. Proficiency with Google Drive and/or Salesforce is preferred
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds

Bonus if you have...

• Experience in capital campaign management
• Experience in event planning
• Ability to create and manage a budget

Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship

• Develop and implement strategies to grow OBCA’s annual fund and major gifts program, focusing on increasing donor retention and acquisition
• Steward a portfolio of annual fund donors giving up to $1,000, including lapsed and current donors
• Work with the Advancement Director and Executive Director to identify and solicit major donors giving $1,000+.
• Partner with the Advancement Director and Executive Director to support board giving and engagement
• Lead donor cultivation and stewardship for OBCA’s Challenge and Discovery Legacy Circle
• Create donor stewardship plans, including personalized proposals, in-person visits, impact reports, and legacy giving materials to support retention, engagement, and increased giving
• Work with the marketing department to create print and digital fundraising campaigns that support the annual fund.
• Support corporate sponsorship initiatives and grant applications as needed
• Participating in other duties as assigned

Development Systems Management

• Oversee OBCA’s donor acknowledgement process
• Oversee donor wealth screening and donor qualification
• Oversee giving platforms, donor advised funds, stock transfers, crypto donations, etc.
• Track portfolio progress and create reports that accurately reflect portfolio activity and performance
• Analyze donor data to monitor progress and adjust strategies to meet or exceed fundraising goals

Capital Campaign Support

• Support OBCA’s $2.25 million capital campaign for basecamp improvements and programming in Joshua Tree and Midpines, California by engaging mid-level and major donor prospects in campaign efforts
• Assist the Advancement Director and campaign leadership in implementing the campaign plan for prospect research, solicitation, and donor recognition
• Work with the marketing team to create campaign materials, including case statements, proposals, and updates
• Work with the advancement team to track campaign progress in the donor database and ensure accurate reporting
• Work with the Advancement Director to plan and executive campaign-specific cultivation and stewardship events such as basecamp site tours, overnight invitationals, and donor receptions

Event Planning and Production

• Plan and execute donor cultivation and acknowledgement receptions, capital campaign invitationals, and the OBCA’s signature biennial fundraiser, the City Skyline Challenge
• Coordinate logistics, including venue selection, catering, invitations, RSVPs, volunteers, and event schedules
• Work with the Advancement Director to identify and solicit individual, corporate, and foundation event sponsors
• Be a visible presence at donor receptions, capital campaign events, alumni gatherings, volunteer days, the annual all-staff meeting and the City Skyline Challenge
• Manage event budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships, ensuring events are executed within scope and meet fundraising goals

Onboarding Requirements (Upon Hire)

• Because we work with youth, staff must be willing to authorize a criminal background check upon hire (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA). Employees are required to uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect as protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority

Outward Bound California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.