loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Development Manager (Ojai)
Krishnamurti Center
1070 McAndrew Rd
compensation:
60,000.00
employment type:
full-time
experience level:
mid level
job title:
Development Manager
QR Code Link to This Post
Reports to: Operations Director
Location: On-site, Krishnamurti Educational Center, Ojai, California
Status: Full-time, non-exempt
Organizational Context
The Krishnamurti Foundation of America (KFA) is a nonprofit trust founded in 1969 by J. Krishnamurti. The KFA's mission is the preservation and dissemination of Krishnamurti's teachings and the support of the Krishnamurti Educational Center and Oak Grove School.
The Krishnamurti Educational Center is located on 10 acres in Ojai, California, and exists to advance public understanding and realization of human potential through the study of Krishnamurti's teachings. This is accomplished by:
Disseminating the teachings to broad and new audiences, nationally and internationally.
Supporting publication and digital distribution of talks, writings, audio, and video.
Offering year-round engagement activities, including study programs, retreats, lectures, and seminars, both in person and online.
Providing facilities for sustained study, including residential opportunities for scholars and participants.
Role Purpose
The Development Manager is responsible for all fundraising initiatives and activities of the KFA Trust and the Krishnamurti Center LLC, including one-time donations, monthly giving, bequests, major gifts, and in-kind resources. The Development Manager creates and oversees the implementation of a strategic annual giving plan, a donor contact calendar, donor-related publications, and electronic communications, cultivating and maintaining relationships with new and existing donors. The Development Manager provides strategic advice to the Leadership Team, Development Committee, Board of Trustees, and program teams. As a key member of the organization’s management team, they participate in the foundation’s strategic planning and budgeting initiatives in addition to problem-solving.
Reporting to the Operations Director, this role leads all aspects of fund development, from individual donor cultivation and major gift stewardship to grants and planned giving, with the goal of advancing the Center's mission and long-term financial health.
This relationship-centered role requires genuine familiarity with Krishnamurti's teachings, the ability to communicate the depth and relevance of that work to a diverse donor community, and the organizational discipline to manage a full development calendar. The Development Manager works closely with the Leadership Team, Communications Manager, Assistant to the Leadership Team, the Development Committee, and the Board of Trustees to ensure fundraising efforts are coherent, well-timed, and aligned with the Foundation's values.
The Development Manager approaches their work with integrity, warmth, and a spirit of inquiry, understanding that donor relationships at the KFA are not transactional, but arise from a shared commitment to the preservation and dissemination of the teachings of J. Krishnamurti.
Key Responsibilities
1. Individual Giving & Major Donor Cultivation
Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors at all levels, with particular focus on major gift prospects and bequests.
Conduct personal outreach through calls, written correspondence, and in-person meetings, including when donors visit the Center.
Develop and implement moves management strategies for each major gift prospect, in coordination with the Leadership Team.
Oversee acknowledgment and stewardship for all donors, ensuring timely, personal, and meaningful follow-through.
2. Fundraising Campaigns & Annual Fund
Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual development calendar, including year-end appeal, mid-year campaigns, and program-specific fundraising.
Draft and refine fundraising communications, appeals, solicitation letters, and impact reports in a voice consistent with the depth and spirit of the KFA's mission.
Work closely with the Communications Manager to integrate fundraising into broader outreach efforts.
Encourage and support donors in requesting employer matching gifts; track matching gift submissions and status in Salesforce to ensure funds are claimed.
3. Grants
Identify and research foundation and government grant opportunities aligned with the Center's programs and mission.
Write, submit, and track grant applications; manage reporting requirements for funded grants.
Maintain an active grants calendar and pipeline.
4. Planned Giving
Build awareness of planned giving opportunities among the donor community.
Develop materials and language for legacy giving (Legacy Circle) conversations and integrate into donor stewardship.
Collaborate with the Operations Director and outside counsel on gift acceptance policies and documentation.
5. Donor Database & Reporting (Salesforce)
Maintain accurate, up-to-date records for all donors, prospects, and interactions in Salesforce.
Generate regular reports on fundraising progress, pipeline status, and campaign performance for the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
Ensure data integrity and develop processes for consistent data entry and tracking across the team.
6. Events & Donor Engagement
Coordinate donor cultivation events, including receptions, dinners, and special program invitations.
Support the Annual Gathering and other Center programs as occasions for donor engagement and stewardship.
Represent the Center with warmth, professionalism, and authentic familiarity with the teachings.
7. Organizational Participation
Participate in regular organizational meetings: morning meeting, planning meeting, development and communications coordination, and others as needed.
In collaboration with the chair of the KFA Development Committee, organize and lead development committee meetings.
Attend Finance Committee meetings, presenting relevant development reports.
Required Experience & Skills
3–5+ years of experience in nonprofit fund development, with a demonstrated track record of securing major gifts, managing donor portfolios, and executing annual campaigns.
Deep, genuine familiarity with the teachings of J. Krishnamurti; able to speak to the work with authenticity and without interpretive or doctrinal authority.
Familiarity with Salesforce (or comparable donor CRM); ability to input donor data accurately and pull reports. A dedicated database manager supports this role.
Strong written communication skills; ability to craft compelling fundraising appeals, grant proposals, and stewardship correspondence that reflect the depth of the KFA's mission.
Experience researching and writing grant applications to private foundations and/or government sources.
Familiarity with planned giving concepts and donor legacy conversations.
Proficiency with Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Calendar), LLMs, Adobe Creative Suite and comfort learning new tools.
Ability to manage multiple campaigns and donor relationships simultaneously with strong organizational discipline.
Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of Center programs and events.
Comfort with donor-facing work: phone, email, and in-person engagement with individuals at all giving levels.
Personal Qualities
Genuine engagement with Krishnamurti's teachings; orientation toward inquiry and self-understanding.
Integrity and warmth in all donor relationships; an ability to listen deeply and build trust over time.
Ability to communicate the significance of the work to donors of varied backgrounds without proselytizing or reducing the teachings.
Disciplined and self-directed; able to manage a complex portfolio of relationships and timelines without close supervision.
Collaborative spirit and comfort working as part of a small, close-knit team where roles are fluid and shared purpose matters.
Curiosity, openness, and a commitment to ongoing learning.
Adaptability and resilience; comfort with the rhythms of a retreat center, including seasonal variation in pace and programming.
Care for people and genuine interest in the donor community as human beings, not just as funding sources.
Reporting Structure
Reports to the Operations Director.
Works in close coordination with the Leadership Team, Assistant to the Leadership Team, and Database Manager on fundraising strategy, campaigns, and donor engagement.
No direct reports at time of hire.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $60,000 (nonexempt, salary)
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision) after a 90-day onboarding period.
Paid sick leave: 14 days (112.5 hours) provided on the first day of employment; available after 90 days.
Vacation accrual beginning on the first day of employment: 10 days (75 hours) per year in years 0–2
403(b) retirement plan available to eligible employees.
Nine paid holidays plus one floating holiday per year.
The Development Manager has the option to live on-site full-time as a residential staff member. In this capacity, the role includes participation in the daily life of the Center.
How to Apply
Please submit the following to operations at krishnamurticenter dot org:
1. Cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience.
2. Resume or CV.
3. Short written reflection (max. 500 words) in your own voice describing your understanding of the core tenets of Krishnamurti's teachings, as you would explain them to someone unfamiliar with his work, and how that understanding informs your approach to development and donor relationships.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This position is employed through Krishnamurti Center, LLC.
Krishnamurti Center, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.