Job Summary:

The Director of Philanthropy is a strategic fundraising leader focused on securing major gifts to support university-wide priorities, particularly those that promote student success, access, equity, and academic excellence. Partnering with senior leadership and University Advancement, this role manages a portfolio of major donors, cultivating and soliciting transformative gifts. Performance is measured by financial goals, donor engagement, and overall fundraising impact. Reporting to the Associate VP of Philanthropic Giving, the Director collaborates across campus to drive initiatives aligned with the university’s mission and vision.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 75–125 major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Develop and execute strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors to meet annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Partner with university leadership and academic deans to support college- or unit-specific development priorities.
• Prepare written proposals, case statements, correspondence, and other materials to secure major gifts.
• Coordinate and participate in donor visits and events on- and off-campus.
• Collaborate with advancement colleagues (alumni relations, annual giving, communications) to align efforts and enhance donor engagement.
• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and progress using the university’s CRM system.
• Work with university faculty, staff, and departments to promote and support their philanthropic efforts.
• Help identify potential areas of interest for funding, collaboration, and research initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with department chairs and program directors to assess and prioritize funding needs.
• Ensure best practices in donor stewardship, including individual and organizational recognition and the oversight of scholarship endowments and awards.
• Partner with Strategic Communications to market university programs through publications, fundraising events, stewardship, and donor recognition efforts.
• Represent the university and the division within the community by attending events, engaging with local organizations, and participating on community-based boards.
• Plan and implement sponsorship programs and activities that increase the university’s visibility and philanthropic engagement.
• Collaborate with departments and staff across campus to develop, write, and submit sponsorship proposals.
• Support general donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship as a member of the University Advancement team.
• Contribute to strategic planning, goal setting, event planning, and project status meetings within the division.
• Maintain the highest standards of development procedures using appropriate forms, reports, databases, and protocols.
• Collaborate with annual giving, alumni relations, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and other advancement staff to ensure seamless service to all university donors and supporters.
• Partner with advancement services and prospect management staff to maintain accurate, up-to-date, and secure donor, prospect, and alumni data.
• Coordinate with the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations to prepare and submit grant applications, case statements, and major gift proposals.
• Ensure timely and effective follow-up with donors and prospects. Submit technical and contact reports, press releases, and communications materials as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum 3 years experience in fundraising for higher education or other non profits.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.  Experience managing and cultivating relationships.

Required Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of planned/deferred giving vehicles such as wills, life income plans, gifts of unusual assets, beneficiary designations.

• Proven customer service and relationship building experience.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, BSR Advance database (or equivalents) and Crescendo gift planning software (or equivalents).

• Successful experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,500 - $10,000 per month

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Position Information:

Work status: Full-time/Exempt/At-will

Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.         

This is a full-time management (MPP) position. MPP employees serve at the pleasure of the campus President.  MPPs do not serve a probationary period and never receive permanent status.

First considerations will be given to candidates who apply by August 6, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

Conditions of Employment

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Drivers License Check

Possession of a valid Driver's License is required.  Employees in this position will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record.

Campus Security Authority

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

I-9

CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Statement of Commitment to Diversity

In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.

California State University, San Bernardino is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096) For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at CSUSB, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/diversity-inclusion

Closing Statement:

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at benefits@csusb.edu 

Smoking

CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/.

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act