About Sequoia Riverlands Trust
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a regional nonprofit land trust focused on the Tulare Basin, which comprises the southern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills of Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, with additional conservation projects in 5 other California counties. We are accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and our mission to conserve the lands and waters of California's heartland is supported by our ambitious programs in conservation easements (habitat and farmland), land stewardship, restoration, conservation outreach, and education.
We envision a future in which a network of protected natural and working lands thrives in the region we serve, with business, agriculture, and society aligned around sustainable land and water management practices.
OVERVIEW
The Investments & Partnerships Officer serves as a key ambassador and relationship-builder for Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT). Working closely with the Executive Director (ED), Chief Investments and Partnerships Officer (CIPO), leadership team, and Board of Directors, this position plays a vital role in helping SRT achieve its ambitious goals for growth and impact.
The Investments & Partnerships Officer will cultivate and steward a diverse portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual supporters to advance SRT's conservation mission. This role leads a six-figure fundraising initiative and collaborates across the organization to strengthen engagement with individuals, foundations, corporations, agencies, and community partnersencouraging their investment of time, expertise, and financial support.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Investments & Partnerships Officer plays a proactive role in expanding Sequoia Riverlands Trust's community of supporters. This position is responsible for identifying, researching, and cultivating new philanthropic prospectsincluding individuals, corporations, and foundationswhose interests align with SRT's mission.
The Investments & Partnerships Officer initiates and maintains relationships with donors and partners with the capacity to contribute $5,000 or more, crafting thoughtful cultivation and stewardship strategies that highlight the full range of SRT's programs and impact. This includes developing targeted prospect lists, creating personalized engagement plans, and building long-term relationships that lead to increased investment in SRT's work.
In addition, this role develops solicitation plans, delivers meaningful follow-up reports, and helps strengthen the infrastructure, staffing, and systems needed to achieve SRT's long-term fundraising objectives.
SUPERVISION
Reports to Chief Investments and Partnership Officer
Is a member of the Investments & Partnerships Team
REQUIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
· Strategic Thinking: Able to analyze data and donor trends to provide insights that inform fundraising strategies and drive meaningful results.
· Relationship Management: Skilled at cultivating and sustaining relationships with individuals, corporations, and philanthropic partners through trust, professionalism, and genuine engagement.
· Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and communicate clearly with the Executive Director, CIPO, Board of Directors, and community stakeholders.
· Portfolio Management: Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse portfolio of donors, ensuring consistent outreach, follow-up, and stewardship tailored to each relationship.
· Database Proficiency: Comfortable using donor management or CRM systems to record activity, track progress, and generate reports with accuracy and efficiency.
· Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain organized systems for data and documents.
· Administrative Excellence: Reliable and thorough in handling the operational and logistical aspects of fundraising, including reporting, scheduling, and documentation.
· Adaptability: Flexible and resourceful, able to adjust to shifting priorities and emerging opportunities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
· Mission-Driven Mindset: Passionate about SRT's mission and motivated to advance the conservation of California's lands and waters through philanthropy and partnership.
Major Responsibilities:
· Manage a portfolio of current and prospective supporters, ensuring consistent, personalized engagement and stewardship.
· Identify and cultivate new donors and partners with the capacity to make donations of $5,000 or more.
· Provide timely and meaningful follow-up reports to donors on the impact of their support, tailored to their preferred communication style.
· Partner with the ED and CIPO to develop and refine the organization's business plan and philanthropy dashboard, including goals, metrics, and financial strategies.
· Partner with the ED and CIPO to engage the Board of Directors in strategic discussions around relationship building, fundraising projections, and impact tracking.
· Communicate SRT's goals and strategies to stakeholders and invite their feedback and collaboration.
· Serve as a liaison supporting the outreach and relationship-building work of the Board, ED, and CIPO with key leaders across philanthropy, business, government, and the nonprofit sector.
· Provide direct, proactive support to a subset of Board Members in their donor and partner engagement efforts.
· Record all donor and prospect interactions in the CRM system within 24 hours, maintaining accurate and up-to-date data.
· Prepare and analyze bi-weekly and monthly pipeline reports summarizing progress across individual, foundation, and corporate relationships.
· Co-lead planning and implementation for major giving and corporate partnership programs, including goal-setting and policy development.
· Perform other duties as assigned in support of SRT's fundraising and partnership goals.
DESIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
· Educational Foundation: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as communications, nonprofit management, business, or environmental studies; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
· Fundraising Experience: Prior success in major gifts, corporate partnerships, or foundation relations within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
· CRM Expertise: Experience using donor management or CRM systems (e.g., Charity Engine, Virtuous, Bloomerang, Salesforce, or Raiser's Edge) to track, analyze, and report fundraising activities.
· Storytelling Ability: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives that inspire donors and convey impact.
· Project Leadership: Demonstrated experience planning and executing multi-step fundraising or engagement projects, from strategy through implementation.
· Analytical Mindset: Comfortable interpreting data and metrics to inform decisions and measure outcomes.
· Team-Oriented Spirit: Collaborative, empathetic, and energized by working with colleagues, board members, and volunteers to achieve shared goals.
· Professional Poise: Confidence, discretion, and authenticity when interacting with donors, partners, and community leaders.
· Commitment to Mission: Genuine enthusiasm for SRT's work to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife of California's heartland, and a desire to connect others to that mission.
· Continuous Learner: Curious, proactive, and eager to grow in the field of philanthropy and conservation.
WORK SETTING AND CONDITIONS
The position is based at SRT's headquarters in Visalia, California, a city of about 130,000 residents in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The region has a Mediterranean climate, with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. SRT's preserves and conservation easements are distributed over nine counties, including lands in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and in the Carrizo Plain area.
The specific work conditions of this position are as follows:
· Well-lighted, heated, and air-conditioned indoor office with moderate noise
· Option for hybrid home-office schedule at Executive Director's discretion
· This position will be in the field (out of the office or home office), meeting with constituents in various locations 50%-75% of the time.
· This position will drive to various locations using their personal vehicle.
· Physical Demands
o Ability to lift up to 10 pounds
o Manual dexterity sufficient to reach and handle items, work with fingers and perceive attributes of objects and materials; ability to stand, walk, sit, and reach
o Ability to meet with people in their homes, offices, SRT preserves, and other public locations at the frequency mentioned in the responsibilities section.
· Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature, using close vision
· At times, be outdoors in all weather conditions
· Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with some additional hours including weekends
COMPENSATION
This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this role is $75,000–$95,000, commensurate with experience.SRT offers a competitive benefits package including employer-paid health insurance, a retirement contribution match, life insurance, short-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, generous paid time off, and 15 paid holidays. In addition, voluntary life, dental, & vision insurance as well as other ancillary benefits are available.
OTHER NOTES
Candidates MUST pass a background check.
Top candidates may be asked to provide samples of their work that demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirements of this position
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Staff members are expected to consciously and continuously promote the mission, values, programs, and impact of the organization when presented with opportunities for participating in fund development and reaching out to personal connections on behalf of SRT.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
TO APPLY
Please visit www.sequoiariverlands.org/careers
The pay range for this role is:75,000 - 95,000 USD per year(HYBRID)
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