Leadership Giving Officer
United Way Of Santa Barbara County, California, MO, United States
Position Overview: Leadership Giving Officer
The Leadership Giving Officer is a relationship-centered fundraising professional responsible for advancing philanthropic investment at the leadership and major gift level. This position implements strategic, donor-centered approaches to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of current and prospective donors with the capacity and inclination to make significant charitable gifts. The Leadership Giving Officer develops individualized giving plans that align the philanthropic goals of individual donors, their families, and private and public foundations with UWSBC’s mission and community impact priorities.
The Leadership Giving Officer manages all phases of the donor development cycle from prospect research and moves management through gift solicitation, acknowledgment, and ongoing stewardship — ensure donors feel valued, informed, and inspired to deepen their giving over time. This role maintains an active donor portfolio which includes current donors and a revolving prospect list, tracks engagement activity and pipeline progress in UWSBC’s CRM, and reports regularly on fundraising metrics and goal achievement.
This position works cross-functionally, collaborating closely with the Community Impact, Marketing, and Finance departments to ensure donor interests are accurately represented, gifts are directed appropriately, and impact reporting reflects the outcomes donors care about most.
Requirements Key Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advancement:
Leadership Collaboration:
Work closely with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Advancement to set priorities, coordinate fundraising strategies, and drive revenue growth through a donor-centered approach aligned with UWSBC’s goals.
Portfolio Management:
Maintain an assigned portfolio of 100+ Leadership and Alexis de Tocqueville (ADT) donor and prospect accounts—qualifying, cultivating, and advancing relationships through each stage of the donor pipeline to increase annual giving.
Fundraising Mix:
Utilize an intentional and diversified fundraising approach that includes face-to-face solicitation, grant writing, direct mail, corporate and employee giving, retiree gifts, major gifts, and planned giving to meet the organization's development goals.
Donor Engagement:
Cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with donors, their families, and financial advisors through personalized outreach and regular contact. Develop an individualized communication and engagement plan for each assigned donor to deepen their connection to the mission of UWSBC
Gift Proposals & Solicitation:
Prepare and present tailored gift proposals and philanthropic opportunity materials that reflect each donor's interests, capacity, and giving history, supporting a thoughtful and confident ask process.
Presentations:
Represent the organization's development priorities through compelling presentations to donors, community members, corporate partners, and other stakeholders as needed.
Brand Consistency:
Maintain a consistent organizational brand identity across all fundraising activities, donor communications, promotional materials, and events.
Community Representation:
Actively represent UWSBC at professional or community events, building awareness of the organization’s programs, services, and impacts.
Reporting:
Meet regularly with the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advancement and the President & CEO to review fundraising progress, pipeline activity, and performance against goals, providing clear and timely reports on all development-related activities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work collaboratively with the Community Impact, Finance, and Marketing departments to ensure donor interests are reflected in programming, gift processing is handled accurately, and impact reporting supports ongoing stewardship.
Event Management and Participation
Event Planning:
Collaborate with the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advancement and relevant team members to conceptualize, plan, and execute strategic Leadership giving fundraising and cultivation events throughout the year.
Sponsorships:
Proactively secure event sponsors and underwriting commitments to offset costs and deepen partner engagement for various events.
Event Attendance:
Drive event attendance through personalized outreach — including phone calls, emails, and direct donor communication — ensuring strong turnout from key donor segments.
Event Execution:
Serve as a lead team member for signature events including the, ADT/Leadership Reception, and Leadership Giving Parlors—and as a supporting member for Red Feather Ball, Women United Luncheon, and additional events as assigned, ensuring high-quality donor experiences at every touchpoint.
Data Management
Accurate Record Keeping:
Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough records in UWSBC’s CRM, documenting all donor interactions, contact reports, gift activity, and moves management progress to ensure data integrity across the development function.
Reporting & Analysis:
Generate regular reports on portfolio performance, fundraising progress, and pipeline trends, using data insights to inform strategy, support leadership decision-making, and demonstrate accountability toward organizational goals.
Qualifications The following represent the minimum requirements to be considered for this position:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and five years+ of experience in fundraising, donor relations, non-profit management, or a related field required. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
Major Gifts Track Record:
Proven experience managing a major gifts portfolio, including successful cultivation and solicitation of five to seven-figure gifts from individuals, families, or institutional donors.
Moves Management:
Working knowledge of Moves Management or a comparable donor pipeline methodology, with experience advancing prospects through each stage of the development cycle.
Event Experience:
Experience planning and executing donor cultivation and fundraising events, including securing sponsorships and managing logistics.
CRM Proficiency:
Proficiency with donor management software (experience with Andar a plus); ability to maintain accurate records and produce data-driven reports.
Cross-Functional Experience:
Experience working collaboratively across departments, including finance, communications, or program teams, to align donor interests with organizational priorities.
Schedule Flexibility:
Availability to work outside standard office hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by events and donor engagement activities.
Desired Skills and Attributes
Donor-Centered Mindset:
Approaches every interaction with genuine curiosity about donor motivations and a commitment to building trust-based, long-term philanthropic relationships.
Persuasive Communication:
Able to craft compelling, audience-specific written materials — including gift proposals, acknowledgment letters, and impact reports — and communicate them confidently in person.
Public Speaking:
Comfortable and poised when presenting to large groups, community gatherings, corporate audiences, or high-net-worth individuals and their advisors
Self-Direction:
Highly motivated and able to work independently, setting a structured schedule of activities and maintaining focus on priorities without close supervision.
Composure Under Pressure:
Performs consistently and professionally under demanding workloads, tight timelines, and high expectations.
Attention to Detail:
Meticulous in all aspects of work — from gift documentation and donor records to event logistics and written communications — ensuring accuracy and a polished professional image.
Discretion & Integrity:
Exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, or personal donor information, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.
Community Awareness:
Demonstrates familiarity with or genuine interest in the Santa Barbara County community — its philanthropic landscape, civic networks, and the populations United Way serves.
Mission-Driven:
Brings authentic enthusiasm for the mission of United Way of Santa Barbara County and the ability to translate that passion into meaningful donor engagement.
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The Leadership Giving Officer manages all phases of the donor development cycle from prospect research and moves management through gift solicitation, acknowledgment, and ongoing stewardship — ensure donors feel valued, informed, and inspired to deepen their giving over time. This role maintains an active donor portfolio which includes current donors and a revolving prospect list, tracks engagement activity and pipeline progress in UWSBC’s CRM, and reports regularly on fundraising metrics and goal achievement.
This position works cross-functionally, collaborating closely with the Community Impact, Marketing, and Finance departments to ensure donor interests are accurately represented, gifts are directed appropriately, and impact reporting reflects the outcomes donors care about most.
Requirements Key Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advancement:
Leadership Collaboration:
Work closely with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Advancement to set priorities, coordinate fundraising strategies, and drive revenue growth through a donor-centered approach aligned with UWSBC’s goals.
Portfolio Management:
Maintain an assigned portfolio of 100+ Leadership and Alexis de Tocqueville (ADT) donor and prospect accounts—qualifying, cultivating, and advancing relationships through each stage of the donor pipeline to increase annual giving.
Fundraising Mix:
Utilize an intentional and diversified fundraising approach that includes face-to-face solicitation, grant writing, direct mail, corporate and employee giving, retiree gifts, major gifts, and planned giving to meet the organization's development goals.
Donor Engagement:
Cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with donors, their families, and financial advisors through personalized outreach and regular contact. Develop an individualized communication and engagement plan for each assigned donor to deepen their connection to the mission of UWSBC
Gift Proposals & Solicitation:
Prepare and present tailored gift proposals and philanthropic opportunity materials that reflect each donor's interests, capacity, and giving history, supporting a thoughtful and confident ask process.
Presentations:
Represent the organization's development priorities through compelling presentations to donors, community members, corporate partners, and other stakeholders as needed.
Brand Consistency:
Maintain a consistent organizational brand identity across all fundraising activities, donor communications, promotional materials, and events.
Community Representation:
Actively represent UWSBC at professional or community events, building awareness of the organization’s programs, services, and impacts.
Reporting:
Meet regularly with the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advancement and the President & CEO to review fundraising progress, pipeline activity, and performance against goals, providing clear and timely reports on all development-related activities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work collaboratively with the Community Impact, Finance, and Marketing departments to ensure donor interests are reflected in programming, gift processing is handled accurately, and impact reporting supports ongoing stewardship.
Event Management and Participation
Event Planning:
Collaborate with the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advancement and relevant team members to conceptualize, plan, and execute strategic Leadership giving fundraising and cultivation events throughout the year.
Sponsorships:
Proactively secure event sponsors and underwriting commitments to offset costs and deepen partner engagement for various events.
Event Attendance:
Drive event attendance through personalized outreach — including phone calls, emails, and direct donor communication — ensuring strong turnout from key donor segments.
Event Execution:
Serve as a lead team member for signature events including the, ADT/Leadership Reception, and Leadership Giving Parlors—and as a supporting member for Red Feather Ball, Women United Luncheon, and additional events as assigned, ensuring high-quality donor experiences at every touchpoint.
Data Management
Accurate Record Keeping:
Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough records in UWSBC’s CRM, documenting all donor interactions, contact reports, gift activity, and moves management progress to ensure data integrity across the development function.
Reporting & Analysis:
Generate regular reports on portfolio performance, fundraising progress, and pipeline trends, using data insights to inform strategy, support leadership decision-making, and demonstrate accountability toward organizational goals.
Qualifications The following represent the minimum requirements to be considered for this position:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and five years+ of experience in fundraising, donor relations, non-profit management, or a related field required. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
Major Gifts Track Record:
Proven experience managing a major gifts portfolio, including successful cultivation and solicitation of five to seven-figure gifts from individuals, families, or institutional donors.
Moves Management:
Working knowledge of Moves Management or a comparable donor pipeline methodology, with experience advancing prospects through each stage of the development cycle.
Event Experience:
Experience planning and executing donor cultivation and fundraising events, including securing sponsorships and managing logistics.
CRM Proficiency:
Proficiency with donor management software (experience with Andar a plus); ability to maintain accurate records and produce data-driven reports.
Cross-Functional Experience:
Experience working collaboratively across departments, including finance, communications, or program teams, to align donor interests with organizational priorities.
Schedule Flexibility:
Availability to work outside standard office hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by events and donor engagement activities.
Desired Skills and Attributes
Donor-Centered Mindset:
Approaches every interaction with genuine curiosity about donor motivations and a commitment to building trust-based, long-term philanthropic relationships.
Persuasive Communication:
Able to craft compelling, audience-specific written materials — including gift proposals, acknowledgment letters, and impact reports — and communicate them confidently in person.
Public Speaking:
Comfortable and poised when presenting to large groups, community gatherings, corporate audiences, or high-net-worth individuals and their advisors
Self-Direction:
Highly motivated and able to work independently, setting a structured schedule of activities and maintaining focus on priorities without close supervision.
Composure Under Pressure:
Performs consistently and professionally under demanding workloads, tight timelines, and high expectations.
Attention to Detail:
Meticulous in all aspects of work — from gift documentation and donor records to event logistics and written communications — ensuring accuracy and a polished professional image.
Discretion & Integrity:
Exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, or personal donor information, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.
Community Awareness:
Demonstrates familiarity with or genuine interest in the Santa Barbara County community — its philanthropic landscape, civic networks, and the populations United Way serves.
Mission-Driven:
Brings authentic enthusiasm for the mission of United Way of Santa Barbara County and the ability to translate that passion into meaningful donor engagement.
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