Job Description

About Okizu  

Okizu (oak-eye-zoo) comes from the Sioux language and means unity, to come together, to heal from a hurt, to make whole.

The mission of Okizu is to help all members of families affected by childhood cancer to heal through peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs.

Okizu has been committed to the continuing support of the Oncology, Siblings, Family, Bereavement, and Teens-N-Twenties programs since 1982. These programs are the result of a collaborative effort between Okizu and the pediatric oncology treatment centers in Northern California. The specific purpose of Okizu is to operate peer support programs for children and families affected by childhood cancer based on the community-forming nature of an overnight camp experience. 

We understand that the financial burden associated with a pediatric cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and devastating for a family. For that reason, all of Okizu’s programs are offered free of charge to the families we serve. This provides families, especially those in the low to moderate-income community, with the same opportunity to attend any of our programs that they are eligible for. We are dedicated to serving every child and family in Northern California and Northern Nevada affected by childhood cancer who wishes to attend, regardless of physical condition, geographic location, ethnicity, or economic background.

In 2020, Okizu’s 500-acre residential camp facility in Berry Creek, CA was destroyed by wildfire, and we have been operating our programs at rental facilities ever since. In October 2024, we announced the purchase of a new property in Calaveras County which will become the new, permanent home of Camp Okizu. With the new property comes substantial fundraising goals, including a capital campaign, which makes this a particularly exciting time to join the Okizu team.

We seek a fundraising professional with vision to join us as we build out our new camp, to sustain our families for years to come. The Development Officer will partner closely with our Executive Director, leadership team, and Board of Directors. If you share our passion for Okizu’s mission, you are energized by this challenge and opportunity and want to work with highly talented staff and thousands of passionate volunteers, we hope you will throw your name in the hat for Okizu’s Development Officer. 

Position Summary

The Development Officer (DO) will lead efforts to identify, cultivate, and solicit current and potential donors with the capacity to make transformative gifts. The DO will build and nurture relationships, collaborating with Okizu leaders to develop and execute a strategy for major gifts that supports key initiatives in a donor-focused environment. Under the direction of the Executive Director, and in collaboration with other team members, the DO will design, implement, and manage a major and principal gift portfolio and comprehensive program to cultivate, secure, and track private support from individuals, corporations, and foundations with a capacity of $100K. The DO will integrate and expand programs for major and principal gifts into a cohesive plan to achieve stated objectives. The primary focus of this position is to provide team leadership and strategy for major and principal gift fundraising and volunteer management.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities  

• Serve as a member of the development and senior management teams while leading strategy, goal-setting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal level prospects ($100,000+). Develop annual and multi-year major and principal gift fundraising plans to support transformational funding priorities that advance key priorities and initiatives. Oversee discovery efforts to enhance and grow the major and principal gift development pipelines. Achieve annual and campaign goals. (30%)
• Maintain knowledge of all priorities within Okizu, utilizing intelligence to lead strategy development for high-level donor-centric solicitations. Provide advice and counsel to the team regarding high-level strategies and collaborative opportunities regarding unit-specific volunteer boards and committees. (20%)
• Solicit and close principal and transformative gifts from prospects in support of funding priorities. Build, develop, and manage a portfolio of 75-100 major and principal gift prospects. (40%)
• Prepare and monitor budgets. Perform other duties as assigned or requested. (10%) 

Okizu Expectations  

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of Okizu. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requisite Competencies and Qualifications  

• Typically a Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.
• Minimum 8-10 years of successful major and principal gift fundraising experience. Experience in raising funds from individuals; preference for demonstrated success as a creative and effective manager, strategic planning, program implementation, and fiscal management. Exceptional relationship-building skills and a proven ability to expand major donor support and achieve significant growth in both new and existing donor bases.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, coordinate multiple projects, and personally ask for and close gifts. Willingness to travel and work occasional weekend/evening hours. Deal effectively and comfortably with high-level donor prospects. A self-directed worker who is personable and well organized. Utilize a creative approach to fundraising projects. A commitment to and ability to effectively communicate the vision, values, and mission of Okizu.
• A results-driven approach with the ability to multi-task, manage long-term deadlines, and balance short-term recurrent needs, while implementing systems to track progress, measure outcomes, and set clear priorities in a resource-constrained environment. 
• Experience in preparing comprehensive reports and executive summaries incorporating complex, highly technical information. Strong data analysis skills, including an ability to mine Okizu's database of over 20,000 community members to drive strategic decision-making and define new growth initiatives.
• Highly developed organizational, communication, and leadership skills. Superior interpersonal skills with donors, board members, potential partners, corporations, foundations, and staff members and an ability to excite and motivate supporters. An ability to work and manage others effectively in a remote work environment.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and communication skills across platforms
• Demonstrated computer competency and knowledge of Microsoft Office products as well as familiarity with Arreva Beyond and/or other fundraising software. Excellent writing, public speaking, and communication skills across platforms. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.   

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access & Advocacy Statement   

• Okizu strives to provide diverse, inclusive, and equitable environments throughout our programs – both in person and online – for the entire family affected by childhood cancer. Our programs require intentional work to build opportunities for high quality peer support and mentorship opportunities with others who have similar experiences within the pediatric cancer community.
• In alignment with our values, Okizu welcomes everyone regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, family composition, or accessibility. We provide access to overnight recreation experiences for cancer patients, siblings, and their adults with as few barriers as possible.
• In our camp environment, we create a safe space for campers to try new things, share their experiences, and feel a true sense of belonging. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, unwanted physical contact, hostility, or bullying in any capacity.

Salary and Benefits  

The salary range for this position is $118,000 to $130,000 annually. Okizu is committed to supporting its staff with comprehensive benefits and incentives including partially subsidized health insurance; vision and dental Insurance plan options; cellular phone provided or partially reimbursed; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays,); 403(b) retirement fund; and professional development. 

Please email hiring@okizu.org with your cover letter and resume. Resumes submitted by 5/31 will be given priority consideration.

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