The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is an international nonprofit organization that unites communities to save coral reefs. By providing education, tools, and inspiration to help local communities become passionate stewards of their reefs, CORAL is building a network of well-managed marine protected areas and sustainable businesses that benefit both coral reefs and people.

Our organization is at a particularly exciting juncture. Over the last two years, we have:

  • Undergone an organizational rebrand that broadens our influence and constituent-base
  • Launched several new initiatives that showcase our role as leaders in the coral reef conservation field
  • Increased our funding four-fold through new foundation grants

Now, we look to build our individual fundraising revenue to support further growth of our organization. We are currently seeking an experienced Major Gifts Officer to develop and execute a comprehensive major donor plan that expands and diversifies our individual donor support. Working in concert with the Board of Directors, a newly formed advisory group (the CORAL International Council), and senior staff, this individual will be responsible for cultivating and stewarding donors and prospects who make or have the potential to make gifts of $1,000 and more, and securing substantial new revenue in support of our mission.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Create and execute both long- and short-range strategies for growing, strengthening, and tracking success of the major gifts program
  • Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donor prospects at the $1,000+ level, with particular focus on those at the $10,000+ level
  • Prepare and implement personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each donor and prospect
  • Effectively communicate CORAL’s mission, vision, and conservation priorities to donors and prospects during in-person meetings
  • Prepare funding proposals that align with donor and prospect interests and support continued program growth
  • Ensure that Board and Council members have the tools and training to be effective fundraisers for the organization
  • Serve as primary point person for the Council—coordinate meetings and other logistics and collaborate on events and other opportunities for building enthusiasm and prospects
  • Work collaboratively with the Development Director to ensure the major donor plan aligns with organizational and development priorities

 

Qualifications

Minimum education required:
Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree or certification preferred

Minimum experience and skills required:

  • Five to ten years experience as a major gift fundraiser, preferably for environmental organizations
  • A proven track record of effectively soliciting major gifts (of $100,000+) and consistently meeting or exceeding goals
  • Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, and effectively, in writing and orally
  • Prior experience managing multiple projects with considerable deadline pressure and competing priorities
  • Success working in a small, but growing, organization
  • Ability to work collaboratively and harmoniously with other staff within the development and programs departments and volunteers, including Board and Council members
  • A good sense of humor and strong interpersonal skills
  • A passion for coral reefs and ocean conservation

Physical Demands

  • Must be able to sit in front of a computer for up to eight hours per day
  • Must be willing and able to travel locally, domestically, and internationally, as needed

The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, based on experience.

To apply, please send a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to jobs@coral.org; include Major Gifts Officer in the email subject line.