Director of Foundation Relations and Advancement at Riverside Unified School District (RUSD)
About the Employer
With schools dating back to the 1870s, the award-winning Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) is now the 16th largest school district in California. RUSD educates nearly 42,000 students across 50 schools in Riverside. The District serves a large portion of Riverside as well as the unincorporated areas of Highgrove and Woodcrest. RUSD is led by its 13th Superintendent, Dr. Sonia Llamas and is governed by a Board of Education comprised of publicly elected officials who serve five different trustee areas.
Requirements / Qualifications
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Director of Foundation Relations and Advancement develops, leads, and manages a comprehensive advancement strategy to support the Foundation’s adopted strategic priorities and drive long-term operational self-sufficiency. The position exercises significant independent judgment as an individual contributor to build donor pipelines, manage community and corporate partnerships, oversee board advancement structures, direct donor databases, and align fund development with District goals.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (E=Essential)
- Design, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fund development plan tied to adopted strategic priorities and the operational self-sufficiency goal; lead major gifts, annual giving, donor-advised funds, corporate partnerships, alumni giving, employee giving, sponsorships, grants, planned giving, endowment growth, and stewardship programs. (E)
- Establish and manage a complete pipeline system, including prospect research, donor segmentation, cultivation plans, solicitation strategies, stewardship timelines, and progress reporting; create donor-facing cases for support tied to approved priorities. (E)
- Implement the Foundation’s adopted strategic plan and annual action plan, ensuring all fundable initiatives align with the four approved pillars and clear a formal alignment process prior to launch. (E)
- Cultivate and maintain partnerships with higher education institutions, civic leaders, workforce development partners, alumni groups, business partners, and foundation stakeholders. (E)
- Support Foundation visibility and strategic engagement specifically connected to the State of the District and designated District events without holding full operational or logistical ownership of district-wide events. (E)
Please see the attached job description for a complete listing of the job responsibilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in nonprofit management, communications, business administration, public administration, education, marketing, or a related field preferred.
- Five to seven (5–7) years of required, progressively responsible experience in professional advancement, fundraising, or institutional development.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid California Driver’s License.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
- Flexible schedule requiring evening and weekend availability for donor events, Board meetings, school functions, and community activities.
Please submit the following documents in Edjoin:
- Resume
- 3 current letters of recommendation dated within the past 12 months
- Letter of Introduction (must be specific to the job position you are applying for)
Please note:
- Application must be filled out completely (no blank spaces)
- Candidates invited to interview will be contacted via email Edjoin
Riverside Unified will not accept attachments via fax, walk-in, or email. If you are having difficulties adding attachments to your application or any other questions please contact, the Edjoin help desk at (888) 900-8945 for assistance.
Requirements / Qualifications
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Director of Foundation Relations and Advancement develops, leads, and manages a comprehensive advancement strategy to support the Foundation’s adopted strategic priorities and drive long-term operational self-sufficiency. The position exercises significant independent judgment as an individual contributor to build donor pipelines, manage community and corporate partnerships, oversee board advancement structures, direct donor databases, and align fund development with District goals.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (E=Essential)
- Design, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fund development plan tied to adopted strategic priorities and the operational self-sufficiency goal; lead major gifts, annual giving, donor-advised funds, corporate partnerships, alumni giving, employee giving, sponsorships, grants, planned giving, endowment growth, and stewardship programs. (E)
- Establish and manage a complete pipeline system, including prospect research, donor segmentation, cultivation plans, solicitation strategies, stewardship timelines, and progress reporting; create donor-facing cases for support tied to approved priorities. (E)
- Implement the Foundation’s adopted strategic plan and annual action plan, ensuring all fundable initiatives align with the four approved pillars and clear a formal alignment process prior to launch. (E)
- Cultivate and maintain partnerships with higher education institutions, civic leaders, workforce development partners, alumni groups, business partners, and foundation stakeholders. (E)
- Support Foundation visibility and strategic engagement specifically connected to the State of the District and designated District events without holding full operational or logistical ownership of district-wide events. (E)
Please see the attached job description for a complete listing of the job responsibilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in nonprofit management, communications, business administration, public administration, education, marketing, or a related field preferred.
- Five to seven (5–7) years of required, progressively responsible experience in professional advancement, fundraising, or institutional development.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid California Driver’s License.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
- Flexible schedule requiring evening and weekend availability for donor events, Board meetings, school functions, and community activities.
Please submit the following documents in Edjoin:
- Resume
- 3 current letters of recommendation dated within the past 12 months
- Letter of Introduction (must be specific to the job position you are applying for)
Please note:
- Application must be filled out completely (no blank spaces)
- Candidates invited to interview will be contacted via email Edjoin
Riverside Unified will not accept attachments via fax, walk-in, or email. If you are having difficulties adding attachments to your application or any other questions please contact, the Edjoin help desk at (888) 900-8945 for assistance.
Comments and Other Information
Nondiscrimination Statement
BP 5145.3 Rev 12.18.25
The Riverside Unified School District prohibits, at any district program, activity, or employment setting, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, against an individual or group based on one, or a combination of two or more, protected characteristics, which include, but may not be limited to, race or ethnicity; ancestry; color; ethnic group identification; nationality; national origin; immigration status; sex; sexual orientation; sex stereotypes; gender; gender identity; gender expression; religion; disability, medical condition; genetic information; pregnancy, false pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or related conditions or recovery; and parental, marital, and family status; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.
For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer: Raúl Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83030, rayala@riversideunified.org and/or Frank DeAnda, Coordinator, Resolutions, 3380 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501, (951)788-7135 ex. 80426, drmarshall@riversideunified.org, Title IX Coordinator: Bethany Scott, Coordinator of Title IX and Compliance, 3380 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501, (951)788-7135 ex. 80135, bscott@riversideunified.org, and Section 504 Coordinator: Gerardo Arenas, Administrator - Program Coordinator, Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Ave. Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83301, garenas@riversideunified.org, Title II Coordinator: Raúl Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83030, rayala@riversideunified.org, and CCR Title 5: Mr. Timothy Walker, Deputy Superintendent, Pupil Services & SELPA, 5700 Arlington Ave Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83501, twalker@riversideunified.org.
Comments and Other Information
Nondiscrimination Statement
BP 5145.3 Rev 12.18.25
The Riverside Unified School District prohibits, at any district program, activity, or employment setting, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, against an individual or group based on one, or a combination of two or more, protected characteristics, which include, but may not be limited to, race or ethnicity; ancestry; color; ethnic group identification; nationality; national origin; immigration status; sex; sexual orientation; sex stereotypes; gender; gender identity; gender expression; religion; disability, medical condition; genetic information; pregnancy, false pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or related conditions or recovery; and parental, marital, and family status; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.
For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer: Raúl Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83030, rayala@riversideunified.org and/or Frank DeAnda, Coordinator, Resolutions, 3380 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501, (951)788-7135 ex. 80426, drmarshall@riversideunified.org, Title IX Coordinator: Bethany Scott, Coordinator of Title IX and Compliance, 3380 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501, (951)788-7135 ex. 80135, bscott@riversideunified.org, and Section 504 Coordinator: Gerardo Arenas, Administrator - Program Coordinator, Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Ave. Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83301, garenas@riversideunified.org, Title II Coordinator: Raúl Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83030, rayala@riversideunified.org, and CCR Title 5: Mr. Timothy Walker, Deputy Superintendent, Pupil Services & SELPA, 5700 Arlington Ave Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83501, twalker@riversideunified.org.
Application Deadline
9/30/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
Date Posted
9/8/2026
Contact
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Pay Range
$137,022 - $172,620 Annually
$137,022 - $172,620 Annually
Length of Work Year
12 months / 27 Vacation Days
Employment Type
Full Time