Investments & Partnerships Officer; major gifts officer

Overview

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.

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 partners—encouraging their investment of time, expertise, and financial support.

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 prospects—including individuals, corporations, and foundations—whose 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.

Reports to Chief Investments and Partnership Officer

Is a member of the Investments & Partnerships Team

• 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…