About Us
At Kindness Initiative, kindness isn't just what we do, it's who we become, together.
We are the only Jewish nonprofit solely dedicated to alleviating poverty within San Diego's Jewish community. Created in response to a local study revealing that over 20% of Jewish households in San Diego County face serious financial and housing insecurity, we've transformed data into action—and over the past four years, we've transformed the lives of over 1,000 households.
What makes us different? We don't operate as a referral agency. We don't hand someone a phone number and wish them luck. We walk alongside each member through every obstacle with customized, concierge-style case management that meets people exactly where they are. From our location at 9372 Cabot Drive, we operate a kindnessG'MACH warehouse providing everything from furniture to toiletries to families in need—completely free. We've provided over $180,000 in direct financial assistance to prevent homelessness. We've helped 68% of our members find employment through kindnessWORKS. We serve over 9,000 individuals annually.
The Role
We're a hidden gem doing transformative work, and we need someone who can change that. You'll help us grow our impact by building deep relationships with donors, telling our story to a Jewish community that needs to know we exist, and inspiring generous giving that prevents evictions, keeps families housed, and helps our members move from crisis to stability to independence. Outreach to include our whole Jewish San Diego Community forming impactful relationships with synagogues, Jewish orgs and so many more.
You'll be joining a small, passionate team. You'll have real ownership over fundraising strategy and execution, and your ability to connect authentically with our Jewish community will be central to your success. Looking for a candidate to have experience with donors, campaigns and the art of fundraising, but also, with the creative flare and talents to connect people in unique and kind ways that require compassionate and out of the box thinking.
What You'll Do
Fundraising & Donor Relations (60-70%)
- Lead individual donor cultivation and stewardship from prospecting to asks to ongoing relationship management, grounded in Jewish values of tzedakah and communal responsibility
- Drive year-end campaigns and annual renewal efforts that bring in meaningful revenue to support direct financial assistance and programs
- Partner with our Board, Fundraising Committee, and volunteer committees (kindnessANGELS, kindnessFAMILIES, women's and men's committees) to activate networks and deepen donor relationships
- Identify and cultivate major gift prospects within San Diego's Jewish community and beyond
- Craft compelling appeals, impact updates, and donor communications that speak authentically to Jewish hearts, showing how donations prevent evictions, furnish homes, and change lives
- Manage donor acknowledgments that make people feel seen, appreciated, and connected to the impact they're creating
- Support fundraising events and community engagement opportunities that bring donors closer to our mission
- Track progress toward ambitious fundraising goals and adjust strategy as needed
Impact Storytelling & Community Awareness (20-30%)
- Collect and share stories that show the real difference donations make—the family who didn't get evicted, the member who found employment, the child who now has their own toothbrush
- Create content for newsletters, social media, and community presentations that connects people to our mission through the lens of Jewish values and teaching
- Help donors understand exactly how their gifts fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah and translate into changed lives
- Build awareness of Kindness Initiative throughout San Diego's Jewish community, making sure every Jewish San Diegan knows that if they need help, or want to help, we're here
- Support community engagement activities including warehouse tours, volunteer programs, and local drives for kindnessG’MACH, booth events, parlor meetings opportunities that deepen connection to our work
- Frame our impact through Jewish holidays, traditions, and teachings in ways that resonate deeply
Operations & Strategic Support (10%)
- Maintain donor database with accurate, confidential record-keeping
- Support grant reporting and foundation relations as needed
- Contribute to strategic planning as we work toward establishing a permanent Kindness Center
- Collaborate across programs to ensure cohesive messaging and community engagement
Who You Are
- Grounded in Jewish values: Your Jewish identity is at your core. You naturally connect our work to tzedakah, chesed (loving-kindness), Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), and our communal obligation to care for one another. You can speak authentically about Jewish tradition and teaching to inspire giving
- Passionate about our mission: You're moved by work that directly helps Jewish families in need and believe deeply in the dignity of everyone who needs support. You understand that we look after our own first, right here in San Diego
- Authentic storyteller: You can write appeals that pull at heartstrings without sounding corporate. You know the difference between "we provided assistance" and "we provide customized concierge case management services."
- Relationship builder: You genuinely love connecting with people and understand that fundraising is about building trust, community, and lasting relationships, not transactions
- Community connector: You're active in San Diego's Jewish community and can help us break through as that "hidden gem" doing transformative work. You know how to make people aware, engaged, and inspired to give
- Entrepreneurial and resourceful: You thrive in a small nonprofit environment where you'll wear multiple hats, take initiative, and build systems from the ground up
- Organized and strategic: You can manage multiple donor relationships, campaigns, volunteer committees, and deadlines without dropping balls
- Collaborative spirit: You work beautifully with a tight-knit team and can engage Board members, volunteers, and community partners effectively
- Comfortable with urgency: You understand that fundraising has real stakes—when we fall short, Jewish families in San Diego go without help. A phone call we can't answer might mean an eviction we can't prevent
Experience & Qualifications
Required:
- 3-5+ years in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, or development (individual giving experience strongly preferred)
- Proven track record of securing gifts, growing donor relationships, and meeting fundraising goals
- High computer literacy with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and Canva; ability to learn new software quickly and navigate multiple digital platforms efficiently
- Ability to independently create and execute full-scale campaigns including design, letter writing, social media content, email blasts, online giving platforms, and follow-up
- Grant application experience: ability to research opportunities, write proposals, and complete applications in collaboration with a grant writer and internal staff
- Deep connection to Jewish values, community, and tradition (essential)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to speak authentically to Jewish audiences and inspire action
- Active involvement in San Diego's Jewish community (synagogue membership, Jewish organizations, volunteer work, etc.)
- Experience with donor databases (training provided on our specific system)
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
Preferred:
- Knowledge of San Diego's Jewish community landscape
What We Offer
- The chance to do work that makes an immediate, tangible difference in Jewish lives every single day while living your Jewish values
- A collaborative, mission-driven team culture where kindness isn't just what we do—it's who we become, together
- Direct connection to impact: you'll see firsthand how the funds you raise prevent evictions, furnish homes, and help families move from crisis to independence
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Time off for Jewish and national holidays
- In person – onsite offices
- Entrepreneurial atmosphere to build and grow Kindness Initiative
To Apply
Send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected] "Fundraising and Impact Officer" in the subject line. In your cover letter, tell us how your Jewish values shape your approach to fundraising and community building, and why our mission resonates with you. We want to hear your story, not a formal pitch.