Description

The Major Gifts Officer supports CEC’s fundraising success by managing a portfolio of major and mid-tier individual donors, stewarding supporters through personalized engagement, coordinating donor-focused events and communications, and partnering with the CEO/Executive Director on top-tier leadership donor cultivation. This is a new frontline fundraising role without supervisory responsibilities, designed for a relationship-driven fundraiser who can manage a donor portfolio with increasing autonomy.

The Major Gifts Officer will collaborate closely with CEC’s Development and Communications team and will receive strong database, administrative, and communications support. This team includes a Communications Director, Communications Manager, Development Associate, contract Green Gala events manager, contract grants writer, and volunteer planned giving lead. Overall strategy and top-tier donor ownership remain led by the CEO/Executive Director.

JOB STATUS AND BENEFITS  

• Salaried Exempt, Full-time 40 hours a week
• This position is based in our Santa Barbara, California office and eligible for a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days working remotely each week. 
• May require occasional evening or weekend hours to support events.
• We provide a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and a Simple IRA retirement plan and match.

ABOUT CEC

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is a bold, solutions-focused nonprofit that has been a leading environmental innovator for more than 50 years. Based on California’s Central Coast, CEC develops and advances practical, equitable, and community-driven climate solutions with a focus on regenerative agriculture, zero waste, clean energy, and community resilience. Our team works collaboratively with partners across the region—including local governments, land stewards, farmers, and activists—to drive measurable progress and inspire systems-level change.

CEC operates with an annual budget of $3.5M and is supported by an engaged community of individual donors, foundations, and public partners. Our 2026 fundraising goal is $1 million. This target builds on the recent success of a $17M 50th Anniversary Campaign and the 260% growth of our Annual Fund over 5 years.

We are seeking a mission-driven Major Gifts Officer to join our Development and Communications team. This position plays a pivotal role in strengthening donor engagement across CEC’s giving programs, stewarding a portfolio of committed supporters, and ensuring that donors feel informed, appreciated, and connected to the impact they make possible.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Portfolio & Fundraising 

• Manage a portfolio of 70 to 100 current and potential major donors, ensuring thoughtful cultivation, stewardship, and timely solicitation.
• Support the CEO/Executive Director with top-tier leadership donor cultivation, including identification, strategy, preparation, follow-up, and meeting support as appropriate.
• Meet regularly with Board members and other key allies (i.e President’s Council) to identify prospective donors, surface relationship insights, and support them in stewarding their networks.
• Prepare donor briefings, conduct background research, and draft follow-up communications.
• Attend funder meetings—both foundations and major donors—when helpful for relationship building or continuity. 
• Coordinate with the Development Associate to ensure moves management steps, meeting notes, follow-up tasks, and donor strategies are accurately captured in the database.

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Manage donor touchpoints, including acknowledgments, tailored updates, invitations, and program engagement opportunities.
• Design and implement donor recognition and appreciation strategies aligned with CEC’s stewardship goals.
• Support planned giving stewardship alongside a planned giving volunteer lead and CEO/Executive Director.

Events and Donor Engagement

• Partner with a contract special events manager who leads Green Gala logistics; provide development-focused leadership on donor strategy, sponsorship cultivation, engagement planning, and post-event follow-up.
• Serve as lead for donor-focused stewardship events (salons, house parties, foundation receptions).
• Provide development strategy and donor support for select events led by the Outreach Director or other teams (lectures, films, resource fairs).

Communication & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work with Communications & Development Office teammates to ensure that donor-facing communications support CEC’s fundraising strategy, including impact reports, appeals, websites, and other materials.
• Collaborate on annual appeals, donor newsletters, and other development-related content and communications activities.

Requirements

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Fundraising experience, preferably with individual major donors
• Strong relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills; comfort engaging with donors and funders.
• Experience preparing for and participating in donor meetings.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and work closely with executive leadership.
• Comfort with large databases and CRMs (Raiser’s Edge experience a plus).
• Knowledge and understanding of budgets and the ability to work with Excel (or equivalent) 
• Strong writing skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Event management or donor event support experience.
• A collaborative, thoughtful, and proactive working style.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) and stand/move for extended periods of time.