Director Philanthropy Major Campaign Gifts
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Bakersfield, CA, 93301
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 57.37-85.33 HOUR
Date Posted : 7 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
- Serves as the primary Foundation development staff responsible for growing and maintaining a comprehensive major gifts program focused on attracting gifts in excess of $10,000 (or the defined major gift threshold). The director builds strong relationships with major giving donors and prospects and actively develops a major giving pipeline of larger gifts and increased revenue.
- Researches and manages a full portfolio of major donors and prospects. Oversees and develops written cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans, utilizing a moves management approach to engage prospects and donors
- Devotes at least 60 percent of an annual work year's hours to direct and conduct face-to-face contacts with identified, qualified potential and existing major gift donors and provide documentation of such activities as part of a moves management program recorded on CRM.
- Develops, implements. and sustains program that engages and involves Foundation trustees, volunteers and staff in major gift planning, cultivation, solicitations and gift stewardship.
- Works with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and appropriate leadership to identify approved potential programs and projects for major gift support. Participates in the development of cases for support and all the proposals and materials needed to make such activities successful.
Experience:
Minimum five (5) years of not-for-profit fundraising and development experience. In addition three (3) to five (5) years' direct work experience as a fundraising professional with a major gift portfolio.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in a related field or a combination of education and/or additional job-related experience may be substituted in lieu of the degree.
Where You'll WorkBakersfield Memorial Hospital includes 385 general acute beds, 48 licensed critical care beds, 13 state-of-the-art surgical suites, and a full-service Emergency Department with an Accredited Chest Pain Center and Nationally Certified Stroke Center. In addition, we offer a beautiful Family Care and Birthing Center, the Lauren Small Children's Center including the area's only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Family Care Center, a Level II NICU, the Sarvanand Heart, and Brain Center with Kern County's first Bi-Plane Interventional Suite, the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbarics, and many more services. Memorial Hospital is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and is home to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. Memorial Hospital is a member of Dignity Health and is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality, compassionate care since 1956. Click here to learn more about Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
A Director Philanthropy Major Campaign Gifts crafts personalized cultivation and solicitation plans, using moves management techniques to deepen donor relationships. Their strategic efforts focus on elevating gift sizes, ensuring sustained support for key fundraising campaigns within nonprofit sectors like healthcare foundations.
Advancing in philanthropy requires mastering donor pipeline development, portfolio management, and strategic stewardship. Professionals often expand their network, gain experience in major gift fundraising, and continuously refine their relationship-building skills to transition into leadership roles within nonprofit fundraising.
Day-to-day duties include face-to-face meetings with major donors, managing prospect research, coordinating with leadership on fundraising initiatives, and documenting donor interactions in CRM systems. This role demands a blend of strategic planning and hands-on engagement to meet ambitious campaign goals.
Bakersfield's nonprofit sector is steadily growing, yet specialized roles like Director Philanthropy Major Campaign Gifts remain moderately competitive due to the niche expertise required. Candidates with proven fundraising success and local network ties often gain an advantage in this market.
While a bachelor's degree is standard, certifications such as CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) enhance credibility. California healthcare nonprofits often value professionals with formal training in nonprofit management, grant writing, and donor relations to navigate complex fundraising landscapes effectively.
Catholic Health Initiatives provides a collaborative culture focused on impactful healthcare philanthropy. The role involves engaging with a diverse donor base and leveraging extensive community partnerships, enabling directors to spearhead major campaigns that directly support critical medical services in Bakersfield.
This director partners closely with the chief philanthropy officer and hospital leaders to identify funding priorities, develop compelling cases for support, and align major gift strategies with organizational goals. Such collaboration ensures fundraising efforts resonate with both donors and institutional missions.
Salaries typically range from $90,000 to $130,000 annually, influenced by experience, portfolio size, and nonprofit scale. Bakersfield’s cost of living supports competitive pay for philanthropy directors, especially those demonstrating proven success in securing gifts over $10,000.
Bakersfield’s community-focused environment encourages personalized donor engagement and long-term stewardship. Directors tailor campaigns to resonate with local values, often emphasizing healthcare impact and community well-being to inspire generosity among major donors.
Challenges include balancing donor expectations with organizational needs, navigating limited local donor pools, and maintaining momentum in competitive fundraising climates. Success hinges on innovative engagement tactics and building trust within a tight-knit community.