Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
Start Date: Immediate; no later than March 2026
Position: Onsite, full-time, exempt employee
Schedule: Weekdays, occasional evenings and weekends required
Location: Westlake Village, CA, with travel throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding regions

Overview

Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO Fund) seeks a full-time Director of Development to lead and execute the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This is a senior, results-oriented role responsible for advancing annual and long-term philanthropic revenue, strengthening donor relationships, and supporting SAMO Fund’s mission in close partnership with the Executive Director, Board, the National Park Service, and California State Parks.

SAMO Fund is a small, highly collaborative administrative team. The Director of Development must be comfortable wearing multiple hats, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, and adapting to evolving organizational needs.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Strategic Planning and Revenue Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year development plan to increase annual revenue, diversify funding sources, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
• Establish clear, measurable fundraising goals and performance indicators; regularly track progress and adjust strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board.
• Plan and implement fundraising objectives, strategies, budgets, initiatives, and timelines aligned with SAMO Fund priorities and partnerships with the National Park Service and California State Parks.
• Contribute to organizational planning by aligning development strategy with programmatic growth and capacity.

Donor Engagement and Prospect Strategy

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Oversee donor programs, including stewardship strategy, communications, logistics, and relationship management.
• Conduct prospect research and donor intelligence activities to prioritize outreach and align prospects with SAMO Fund initiatives.
• Oversee donor onboarding, retention, renewal, and acknowledgment processes.
• Develop a compelling case for support for SAMO Fund programs and initiatives.
• Create and implement a donor recognition plan.
• Strategically steward new and existing donors to deepen engagement and long-term commitment.
• Attend outreach events and meetings to cultivate relationships and identify new prospects.
• Provide a high level of professionalism and responsiveness to donors, partners, and the community.

Communications and Outreach

• Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement an annual donor-focused communications strategy.
• Oversee donor communications including newsletters, annual appeals, stewardship reports, and campaign materials.
• Prepare or coordinate production of mailings, brochures, annual reports, website content, and event materials in collaboration with graphic and communications support.
• Craft clear, compelling donor-centered stories that communicate impact.
• Cooperate closely with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the National Park Service, and California State Parks personnel.
• Serve as an external ambassador for SAMO Fund with donors, partners, and at select community events.

Events and Engagement

• Strategize, design, and manage donor and community engagement events, including annual fundraising events.
• Manage event budgets, logistics, timelines, and coordination of staff and volunteers.
• Support mission-based events that strengthen donor relationships and community connection.

Board and Committee Support

• Attend and coordinate Fundraising and Outreach Committee meetings in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Support committee members with materials, planning, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with Board members to support donor cultivation and fundraising initiatives.

CRM, Data, and Reporting

• Oversee effective use of the Little Green Light CRM to support donor stewardship, prospect tracking, reporting, and data-informed fundraising strategy.
• Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Maintain mailing lists and donor communications tools including Little Green Light and Mailchimp.
• Prepare regular fundraising reports for leadership and the Board, including progress toward revenue goals, donor engagement trends, and forecasting insights.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure gifts are properly recorded and reconciled.

Other Duties and Organizational Support

• Maintain awareness of National Park Service and California State Parks rules and procedures, Director’s Orders, SAMO Fund branding standards, and fundraising best practices.
• Participate as a collaborative member of a small administrative team, supporting shared organizational priorities as needed.
• Attend professional development opportunities to stay current with fundraising trends and practices.

Competencies and Attributes

• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding fundraising goals in a nonprofit environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills and high emotional intelligence when working with donors, board members, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker who is also comfortable with hands-on execution.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional judgment, discretion, and integrity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take initiative.
• Passion for national parks, public lands, and SAMO Fund’s mission.
• Interest in environmental conservation, public lands, or nonprofit work aligned with National Park Service and Santa Monica Mountains Fund programs.
• Familiarity with the National Park Service, California State Parks, or public–private partnerships.

Required Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies, campaigns, and donor communications.
• Success managing donor and prospect relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with donor software or CRMs, with Little Green Light preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Canva, Mailchimp, Adobe, and similar platforms.

Special Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Employees are required to drive a personal vehicle for official business.
• Must be willing to commute to various park locations within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and occasionally beyond the region.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and programs.
• Ability to walk up to a half mile on uneven terrain and lift up to 25 pounds.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000–$110,000 annually.
• Flat-rate healthcare insurance stipend.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.

About SAMO Fund

Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO Fund) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an essential partner to the National Park Service and California State Parks, supporting habitat restoration, trail improvement, education programs, and wildlife conservation across the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding public lands.