Development Coordinator

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) seeks a detail-oriented and proactive Development Coordinator to support annual giving and donor engagement efforts within a collaborative team working at the intersection of science, community, and environmental change. The ideal candidate has experience in individual fundraising, strong communication skills, and a passion for advancing donor relationships. They are organized, data-savvy, and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment. This is a hybrid role with at least three in-office days per week in Richmond, CA with growth opportunities into advanced development roles. Occasional evening and weekend work is expected to support donor events and other special activities.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate a broad range of donor communications, including fundraising appeals, acknowledgment letters, and personalized outreach across channels.
• Support individual giving efforts through direct solicitation and thoughtful follow-up to secure gifts in the $125–$2,500 range.
• Lead the planning and execution of seasonal fundraising campaigns, including preparing collateral, tracking progress, and managing production timelines (experience with Adobe Creative Cloud a plus).
• Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors to ensure seamless execution of donor engagement activities.
• Analyze giving trends and assist in developing strategies for growing donor participation and revenue within entry- to mid-level giving tiers.
• Represent the organization at donor engagement events and assist in event preparation and onsite coordination as needed.
• Help implement a structured, calendar-based plan for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with an emphasis on consistency and innovation.
• Maintain and reconcile records across DonorPerfect, GiveCloud, MailChimp, and other systems

Required Experience

• 3+ years of prospect research, proposal development, and managing/growing the portfolio of government, foundation, and corporate grants.  
• 3+ years of proven track record of fundraising success with event and program sponsorships 
• 3+ years of proven track record of fundraising success with individual giving campaigns.  
• Eager to learn new platforms—DonorPerfect experience is a bonus, but not required
• Proficiency in project management and office software and tools (e.g., Google Suite, Microsoft Office)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to build and nurture relationships with donors, board members, and staff.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Admin, Nonprofit Management, Public Admin, Marketing and Communications or similar equivalent professional and/or certificated experience. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong planning and time management skills.
• Organized and exhibits “follow through” on tasks and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse constituents and stakeholders.
• Interest in best practices, trends in nonprofit management, and fundraising tools and technology. 
• Technically curious—enthusiastic about SOP creation, workflow documentation, and AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, fundraising research platforms) to support donor research, communications, and workflow.
• Experience with project management tools to track tasks, coordinate timelines, and ensure timely deliverables across teams a plus
• Proficiency in analyzing patterns and analytical skills.
• Passion for environmental issues and commitment to SFEI’s mission e in development

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Mailchimp or other email marketing platforms
• Familiarity with Adobe InDesign or Illustrator
• Experience supporting donor database management and event coordination
• Experience managing social media 
• Interest in creative storytelling and visual communication non-profit