Development & Membership Assistant

Title

Development & Membership Assistant

Full-Time 40-hour work week, Non-Exempt

Development

Donor & Member Relations Manager

$24.00 - $26.00 / hour

The schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 am
-5:00 pm. Occasional weekend or evening hours are required. This is an in person role.

Ganna Walska Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical garden and historic estate located in Montecito featuring a collection of over 3,000 plant species from around the world as well as historically significant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Since opening to the public in 1993, Ganna Walska Lotusland has grown to become one of the world’s premier botanical gardens and a center for sustainable garden practices, horticultural education, and plant conservation.

Our mission is to preserve and enhance the distinctive botanical gardens and estate of Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland educates and inspires visitors with its collections, sustainable horticulture practices, and plant conservation.

Ganna Walska Lotusland, a world-renowned nonprofit botanical garden in Montecito, California, seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Development & Membership Assistant to support the garden’s fundraising and membership programs. This position plays a vital role in donor and member relations by managing accurate database records, processing gifts and memberships, assisting with fundraising and cultivation events, and providing exceptional customer service to Lotusland’s members and donors.

The ideal candidate will bring strong organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a passion for supporting the mission of Lotusland.

• Record and code all contributions—including donations, grants, memberships, pledges, tributes, and event gifts—into Salesforce.
• Scan and upload supporting documents.
• Maintain accurate donor and member records in Salesforce and Veevart ticketing platform.
• Generate acknowledgment letters and ensure timely donor recognition.
• Prepare regular reconciliation reports with the Development Operations Manager.

• Assist with membership processing, renewals, and new member onboarding.
• Assist with member communications (phone and email), mailings, and e-newsletters.
• Maintain membership materials, coordinate mailings, and track benefit fulfillment.

• Assist with fundraising and donor appreciation events including invitation management, tracking RSVPs, preparing materials, staffing events, and follow-up.
• Support sponsorship tracking and donor recognition.
• Assist with the invoice and collection of pledges and payments.
• Conduct basic research on donor prospects and help maintain donor portfolios.
• Provide administrative support for meetings, solicitations, and departmental projects.
• Provide exceptional customer service via phone, email, and in person.
• Assist with occasional errands off property such as going to the Post Office, Fed Ex, and donor deliveries.

• Generate database reports to support fundraising goals and membership growth.
• Assist with compiling and copyediting donor and member listings for newsletters and the annual report.
• Contribute to ongoing data integrity and continuous process improvement.

• Minimum of one to three years of administrative experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Experience with fundraising or membership databases, Salesforce a plus.
• Experience with ticketing software, Veevart a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Team-oriented, adaptable, and able to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and donors.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

• Lotusland’s administrative offices are on a historic 2-story…