Development Director - Major Gifts & Capital Campaign

Nine Lives Foundation is a non‑profit organization dedicated to rescuing at‑risk cats, providing them with medical care, and finding them loving homes. We also offer low‑cost spay/neuter services and a vaccine clinic for cats. Our team comprises energetic, motivated staff and volunteers with a deep passion for cat welfare.

Nine Lives has been in operation for over 20 years. We are at an exciting inflection point in our growth – we plan to move to a new larger facility this spring. During 2025, we raised $1.9M out of a target $2.5M to fund the building remodel, equipment and program growth. We are also considered planning and launching a second capital campaign to fund the purchase of the building in the next 3‑4 years.

Position Overview

Nine Lives is seeking a skilled Development Director – Major Gifts & Capital Campaign to join our team in achieving our major gift fundraising objectives. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will be responsible for planning and managing the Capital Campaign and managing our portfolio of Major Donors (giving over $10K/year), making major gift proposals, developing and implementing protocols for key donor cultivation techniques, and utilizing volunteers, staff, and board members to assist with donor appreciation and communications. The Development Director will also lead the work of a small development team (a part‑time Associate Director (Community Giving and Annual Fund) and an Assistant Manager (Research and Prospect Management) – both located remotely), setting priorities and goals, and providing direction to ensure alignment with overall fundraising strategy.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Define the strategy and overall plan for acquiring and cultivating major donors
• Define a plan to raise the remaining $600K of our $2.5M “Furever Home” capital campaign; define the strategy and plans for future capital fundraising
• Recruit and train fundraising staff and volunteer leaders as required
• Providing expertise and leading practices in all aspects of fundraising and major gifts; engage and train the Board of Directors in fundraising

Fundraising and Donor Cultivation:

• Planning and evaluating fundraising campaigns and activities
• Creating & managing the organization’s development budget
• Identifying and stewarding prospective donors
• Planning and leading the major giving program
• Researching major gift donor prospects
• Growing relationships with major gift donors
• Developing a donor solicitation strategy for major gift prospects
• Designing and operating a donor stewardship program
• Tracking and assessing major gift fundraising metrics
• Drafting major gift proposal documents
• Planning and helping to facilitate major donor events
• Using major giving fundraising and marketing tools
• Working collaboratively with board members and staff on fundraising
• Implementing direct response initiatives to enhance donor engagement and retention
• Building relationships with local media outlets, and driving publicity for Nine Lives

Staff Management

• Guiding the work of our two off‑site, part‑time development staff, the Associate Director (Community Giving and Annual Fund) and the Assistant Manager (Research and Prospect Management). This includes defining priorities, providing input to work content (e.g., newsletters, emails, communications calendar), providing guidance on best practices and attending weekly check‑in calls

Experience

• At least ten years of development/major gift/planned giving experience
• Experience managing a portfolio of Major Gifts donors ($10K+ annually)
• Must have held a leadership position in at least one capital campaign

Skills

• Thorough background in coordinating nonprofit donation strategies
• Experience with staff/volunteer coordination
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and donor databases
• Proficient using CRM systems (e.g., Donor Perfect), including configuration and reporting; donor data analysis; mass email tools (we use Constant Contact)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – in person, on the phone, and in writing
• Animal welfare experience a bonus
• Must love cats!

Location

Location: Redwood City, CA (note that the role can be primarily remote; however, we are seeking a candidate who lives locally in order to join meetings at our offices and meet frequently with donors.)

About Nine Lives Foundation

Nine Lives Foundation proudly provides lifelines for at‑risk cats and kittens and affordable, compassionate care for our feline friends and the people who love them. Our organization has been in operation for 21 years, with an annual operating revenue of $2.9M, over $1.3M of which is raised through donations/fundraising (in addition to one‑off capital campaigns). We operate two physical locations with a paid staff of 25 people and over 150 active volunteers.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to lead and further build a development function, spearhead a campaign to secure Nine Lives' future in a new home, and drive real change in our fundraising efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan offered through CalSavers