Senior Specialist, Philanthropy And Strategic GrowthJoni and Friends

Senior Specialist, Philanthropy And Strategic Growth

Joni and Friends

Location: United States
Workplace: Hybrid
Job type: Full Time
Salary: $80-93K/year
Posted: Posted November 14, 2026

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Manage major donor book of ministry and cultivate high-capacity donors
Requires bachelor's degree or 8 years fundraising experience and Salesforce proficiency
Proficiency in I-Wave and regression analysis forecasting is a plus
Hybrid role with 3 days in office in Agoura Hills CA

Duties:

Manage Major Donor Book of Ministry

Strategize, manage, and implement a comprehensive approach to qualifying, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding an assigned book of ministry of high-capacity donors ($25k+), managing key performance indicators and metrics to ensure sustained growth

Develop, implement, and manage donor engagement strategies and processes using a variety of communication methods—including phone, text, email, written correspondence, virtual platforms, and in-person meetings—building strong relationships that invite deeper financial and service partnership with Joni and Friends

Create, implement, and manage key performance metrics and tracking processes to monitor the overall health, effectiveness, and growth of the book of ministry

Build, manage, and sustain a multi-million-dollar book of ministry by developing and implementing customized, strategic cultivation plans for each donor

Oversee major gift acknowledgment activities in collaboration with executive leadership, ensuring timely and meaningful donor recognition that supports stewardship objectives and strengthens donor relationships

In collaboration with the Grants team, strategize, create, and implement compelling personal partnership proposals that align donor interests with organizational priorities and support the growth of Joni and Friends’ ministry

Implement travel and in-person engagement strategies as part of the overall cultivation and solicitation strategy to strengthen donor relationships and outcomes

Exercise discretion and sound judgment in management of confidential donor information, ensuring compliance with organizational standards and donor privacy expectations

Research and Implement Pipeline and Data Management

Use Salesforce to track donor interactions, pipeline progress and revenue metrics

Utilize wealth screening and prospect research tools to continuously identify and qualify new prospects from newly acquired lists, community events and peer to peer invited donor lists

Ability to use I-Wave to interpret wealth indicators, real estate holdings, stock equity and past philanthropic behavior

Metrics-Driven Focus: Track success in meeting visit goals, moves management milestones, and dollar-raised targets

Mentor, encourage, and provide strategic leadership to Development Officers, partnering as a cohesive team to strategize, develop, and implement effective cultivation practices that elevate performance across all levels of giving

Elevate and help to implement a culture of philanthropy across the organization

Major Donor Fundraising Events

Develop and implement processes with the Events team to identify invite lists and manage all donor communications related to fundraising events

Serve as a strategic advisor in fundraising event planning to enhance donor engagement and relationship outcomes, acting as the primary relationship lead for major donor interactions during events

Develops and directs communication plans with major donors before and after events, including follow-up, gift acknowledgment, and stewardship procedures to maximize donor engagement and satisfaction

Capital Campaigns: Participate in strategy sessions for any capital campaigns run by the organization helping to qualify and set strategy to engage major donor’s support

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Fundraising Strategy

Partner collaboratively across departments to align major donor engagement strategies with ministry objectives, organizational priorities, and fundraising initiatives

Evaluate fundraising and donor engagement trends to recommend innovative strategies that strengthen donor relationships and enhance fundraising effectiveness

Other duties and projects as assigned by supervisor to support department and organizational needs

Qualifications:

Must possess a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and agree with the Joni and Friends statement of faith
Desire to serve in a growing and dynamic Christian service ministry
Bachelor’s Degree required, or a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated fundraising experience
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce Products, product dashboards, and interfaces between systems
Salesforce Certification preferred
Knowledge of Regression analysis forecasting
Exceptional analytical skills and abilities for data selection, extraction, and analysis
Ability to identify trends in data and present analysis and results at all levels of the organization
Good interpersonal communication skills both verbal and written and the ability to effectively organize and prioritize a wide range of daily tasks with varied deadlines are necessary
Must be detail oriented, committed to accuracy, a team player and self-starter who is flexible and able to work independently
Must understand the importance of confidentiality
Valid driver’s license is required
Understanding of Christian ministry and specifically Joni and Friends is desirable

Physical Requirements:
This position requires approximately 30% travel to visit ministry partners within assigned regions. The employee is expected to work in the office one day per week to attend required meetings, with additional in-office days as determined by the supervisor. The employee must be able to sit for extended periods, operate a computer and other standard office equipment, communicate clearly in person and over the phone, and occasionally stand, walk, bend, or reach to access files and supplies. The role may also require occasionally lifting or carrying items up to 20 pounds.
Work is performed in a professional office setting with occasional movement throughout the facility. The environment is typically quiet to moderate in noise level, with standard lighting and temperature conditions. Employees are expected to maintain safety and ergonomic awareness while performing all tasks.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Compensation: $80,000 - $93,000 annual salary (exempt). Office hours are 8:00-5:00 and Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday are in office, and Wednesday and Friday are remote work days.

EMPLOYEE MINISTRY ENGAGEMENT:

Joni and Friends is a Christ-centered community. Therefore, we expect every employee at Joni and Friends to excel in their walk with Christ and in their specific employment role in our Christian community. We purposely create a gospel-centered environment and offer leadership and development training to help employees perform their work with integrity and excellence, serving in our Christian community at Joni and Friends to fulfill our religious ministry: to share the gospel and serve people living with disabilities.

All employees do this, regardless of their specific role, by:

Modeling Joni and Friends’ Christian beliefs and practices to advance our gospel mission during working hours and nonworking hours
Supporting fellow staff and volunteers at Joni and Friends in following Christ, by praying for each other, sharing Scripture and setting an example of how to live a faithful Christian life
Engaging in the lives of people living with disabilities with love, dignity, and in a manner that commends and proclaims the gospel.
Participating or leading in prayer and worship during meetings, events, and outreaches
Affirming the Joni and Friends Statement of Faith annually and not engaging in any conduct or promoting any religious beliefs inconsistent with such beliefs
Upholding and advancing Joni and Friends’ Mission and Vision through a focus on our Values.
Actively attending a church that has a statement of faith that does not contradict Joni and Friends’ Statement of Faith

Joni and Friends seeks to glorify God in the way we conduct ourselves, and in the work we do together as a Christian community. Employment at Joni and Friends is not only a job but a ministry and a calling from God.

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