MLT is Hiring!

October 2, 2025

Major Gifts Manager

Job Description

Availability: Temporary (6 month), part-time position available immediately. Approx. 20 hours per week. Possibility of extending term of employment if warranted.

Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Office in downtown Fort Bragg, California. Possibility of a hybrid arrangement with some remote and some office-based hours each week. Occasional travel for off-site events.

About Mendocino Land Trust

Mendocino Land Trust (MLT) is a nonpolitical, nonprofit 501(c)(3) land trust operating throughout Mendocino County and beyond. MLT conserves and restores habitat, scenic areas, and working lands while also providing public access to beautiful places.  

We work diligently to:

• Preserve our land for its scenic and recreational values
• Build trails so that people can have a direct connection to our beautiful landscapes
• Protect and restore our waterways and forests which provide critical wildlife habitat
• Preserve family farms and ranchlands for generations to come
• Care for the lands we have protected, in perpetuity

For more information please visit our website at www.MendocinoLandTrust.org.

MLT is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic,

including race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, age, marital status, or protected veteran status, and will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a disability. We support an inclusive workplace where staff excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.

Job Description: The Major Gifts Manager will work with the Executive Director to strengthen relationships with existing major gift donors and identify new prospects. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build strong relationships with donors to ensure long-term engagement
• Communicate MLT’s mission and summarize current MLT projects
• Research and identify prospects with philanthropic capacity and interest
• Develop compelling solicitations through presentations, campaigns, and networking
• Attend MLT events to facilitate major donor and prospect participation

• Represent MLT at community events to cultivate donors and prospects
• Help donors to accomplish their philanthropic goals with MLT
• Implement strategies to engage donors who have not yet responded to MLT cultivation efforts
• Partner with MLT’s Development Manager to evaluate major donor prospects
• Provide minor assistance to the Development Manager and Communications and Outreach Manager to organize fundraising events

• Manage a portfolio and engagement plan for each of MLT’s major donors and prospects
• Meet in person with major donor portfolio donors and prospects before year-end
• Prioritize securing new and increased annual major gifts
• Use MLT systems and software to track and document all of your donors and prospects

Required Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience with networking and community engagement
• Ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects effectively using prospect research and CRM (Constituent Relationship Management) systems
• Organizational skills including time management, attention to detail, and meticulous record-keeping
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential information

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with donor cultivation and management
• Ability to travel as required to meet with donors throughout and occasionally beyond Mendocino County
• Writing and data entry skills
• Experience with mail merge and large-volume mailings
• Experience using Google Suite and donor/customer management systems
• Possession of a valid driver’s license for work-related travel. Mileage reimbursement will be paid for personal vehicle use. MLT-owned vehicles will be available for some trips

The rate of pay for this position is $33.00 – $37.00 per hour. Benefits include SIMPLE-IRA retirement plan with 3% employer match, and paid time off including vacation, sick time and holidays (prorated depending on hours worked). Option to join health, dental, vision and life insurance plans with 50% employer contribution towards premiums.

Position open until filled. We will begin reviewing applications on Thursday October 9, 2025.

Please use this link to apply.

Questions? Send them to employment@mendocinolandtrust.org