Associate Director, Special Giving

Sterling Search Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit for the new Associate Director, Special Giving (ADSP)
for Easterseals Southern California.

Our Purpose

Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Vision and Impact Plan

By 2030 Southern California will be the most inclusive place for people with disabilities to live, learn, work, & play.

About Easterseals Southern California

Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) is a premier nonprofit and a trusted expert and provider of autism services for children and adults for Southern California. Mark Whitley is President and CEO and, since assuming the role more than 30 years ago, has overseen the organization’s growth from a $1.5 million to a $500 million + organization, making it the largest of Easterseals’ 70 Affiliates nationwide. Currently serving more than 25,000 people through 75-plus service sites and hundreds of community partnership locations across Southern California, Easterseals Southern California offers the highest quality autism therapies, adult and senior day services, child development and early education programs, independent living services, and employment services for individuals and their families with disabilities. With a vision to make Southern California the most inclusive place in the country for people with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play by 2030, Whitley has developed a team of more than 2,600 professional staff committed to leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, veterans, and seniors in their communities through services and advocacy. The organization is the go-to disability inclusion organization in Hollywood and across media and entertainment, earning its reputation through award-winning multi-media campaigns as well as through the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and the Media Access Awards Presented by Easterseals.

ADVANCEMENT

In 2012 Sterling Search assisted Easterseals Southern California in hiring its Chief Development Officer, Nancy Weintraub (a 30+ year veteran) to oversee philanthropy. In its tradition of entrepreneurialism in creating new revenue streams that further their mission, Weintraub now oversees all its revenue and program development verticals which include government relations and grants, private foundation grants, corporate, sports and entertainment partnerships, DEIA consulting, community relations and engagement, and individual giving (planned giving, annual fund, employee giving and major gifts). In 2023, Sterling Search assisted Easterseals Southern California in expanding their development team with the hiring of the Senior Director of Development, Jen DeGrave, a 20+ year veteran development leader in the academic and higher education space. Within 6 months, Jen was promoted to Vice President, Development and now seeks a new member of her expanding team.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) is seeking an Associate Director, Special Giving to drive sustainable, diversified fundraising strategies. This role requires a strategic thinker who can create, manage, and innovate, not just execute tasks. The ideal candidate will spearhead annual and recurring giving programs, redefine donor engagement models, expand digital fundraising efforts, and steer new approaches to stewarding relationships. Intrinsic motivation, adaptability, and a passion for growth are essential for success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Outreach & Program Growth:
  • Build upon and enhance the Thrive Alliance/Monthly Giving program through targeted outreach and creative engagement strategies.
  • Explore innovative methods for de-seasonalizing giving trends, fostering consistent contributions beyond traditional fundraising cycles.
    • Proactively manage a portfolio of 100+ prospects and donors annually, developing and implementing individualized moves management strategies to deepen engagement and increase overall giving.
      • Develop a multi-channel digital fundraising blueprint in collaboration with leadership to maximize online outreach.
• Donor Engagement & Stewardship:
  • Design and execute data-driven strategies for deepening donor relationships, fostering increased philanthropic investment.
  • Oversee and refine President’s Council engagement ($1,000+), ensuring a compelling calendar of opportunities for members.
    • Craft strategic re-engagement initiatives to bring lapsed donors back into active participation.
      • Launch a pilot family giving program, cultivating donor pipelines that strengthen organizational support.
• Innovation & Adaptability:
  • Act as a thought partner in organizational fundraising strategy, leveraging data insights to drive decision-making.
  • Embrace agility in outreach, adapting tactics to meet shifting donor preferences and economic realities.
  • Identify technologies and fundraising techniques to optimize donor acquisition and retention.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of leading donor engagement initiatives.
• Expertise in portfolio management, appeal segmentation, and digital fundraising strategies.

  SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

  • Demonstrated success in developing, launching, and scaling donor programs that drive engagement and revenue.
  • Exceptional communication skills, adept at crafting compelling donor narratives through written and verbal outreach.
  • Strong ability to balance fiscal responsibility with meaningful impact, ensuring donor confidence in financial stewardship.
  • Ability to foster collaboration across departments, leveraging interdisciplinary insights to enhance fundraising outcomes.
  • Strategic and proactive mindset with a passion for innovation and growth in donor development.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise a high level of discretion.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements.
  • Must pass all drug testing required by ESSC.

This position offers a base salary of $100,000 to $115,000 plus comprehensive benefits, based upon qualifications and experience.