Development Director

Founded in 1990, North Olympic Land Trust is a nonprofit conserving the natural areas and working lands that define and sustain the communities of the North Olympic Peninsula. The Land Trust is dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities. We strive to conserve the farms, fish and forests that improve our community’s quality of life.

Position Summary

Based in Port Angeles, Washington, the development director is a permanent full-time exempt position that plans, develops, and oversees the Land Trust’s fundraising programs with a focus on individual donors. This position supports and builds the organizational culture of philanthropy through stewarding authentic relationships across the community. Through these relationships, this position will work to achieve fundraising goals, cultivate new and existing supporters of the Land Trust’s mission, and maintain the annual and sustaining (Evergreen) donor relations program.

The development director reports to the executive director and works closely with the community engagement specialist, office manager, and development committee. The position requires a highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented individual eager to contribute and excel in a dynamic work environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Prospect Identification and Discovery

This person will identify donors and prospects with additional interest and capacity. They will identify direct avenues to connect with prospective donors, and conduct discovery visits with donor prospects.

Cultivation and Stewardship

In close collaboration with the executive director, development committee, and board, this position will manage the implementation of cultivation and stewardship plans for prospects and donors. This will include participating in donor activities and site tours, preparing written materials, ensuring timely acknowledgements, and engaging/guiding other staff and board volunteers in their stewardship roles.

Solicitation

The person will work with the executive director to personally solicit gifts through one-on-one visits and written proposals, including partnering with board members, community members, or staff as appropriate. They will actively manage and document relationships, proposal status, actions, and notes to assure accurate, timely, and consistent engagement and communications.

Specifically, this position will:

 Coordinate and facilitate the Land Trust’s program for annual, capital, and planned giving goals and move the Land Trust toward the benchmarks established in its strategic plan,

 Act as lead staff for current or potential fundraising engagement activities,

 Supervise mass fundraising efforts (appeal letters, community-wide giving days) through significant support from the office manager and community engagement specialist, with a focus on donor lists and cultivation.

 Lead the organization’s fundraising efforts with private foundations and businesses, with significant support from the executive director,

 Develop and implement local and regional development strategy, annual plans, and special campaigns (including capital, project, and planned giving),

 Provide staff support to the Land Trust development committee and fundraising support to the Board of Directors, and

 Collaborate with the office manager to maintain our Salesforce database and paper records of contributors and grants.

Qualifications

 Passion for the mission of North Olympic Land Trust and the art of authentic, relationship-based fundraising,

 A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field,

 Over 3 years of experience in donor development and community relationship-building, direct public relations, or a related field,

 Demonstrated skills in effectively planning, organizing, and implementing fundraising programs and engaging with donors and potential donors,

 Experience with organizations that fundraise over $250,000 annually,

 Working knowledge of best fundraising practices and principles and the Pacific Northwest fundraising landscape,

 Demonstrated skills in project management and logistics coordination,

 Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to engage diplomatically, compellingly, and effectively while representing the Land Trust,

 Proficiency with computer operations in a Windows environment and Microsoft Word, and experience with managing fundraising database software (preferably Salesforce),

 Ability and willingness to occasionally work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends,

 Valid driver’s license, and willingness to use a personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed at federal rate) for local site visits, and

 Experience in independently managing multiple tasks and deadlines.

Physical Work Requirements

The working environment of the Development Director is primarily in a professional office setting, however during the COVID-19 pandemic this may also include working remotely. A business laptop will be provided. The Development Director is expected to travel to off-site locations in order to attend meetings and donor engagement. Office duties are often sedentary and require the ability to use a keyboard, complete written documents, operate general office equipment, and be able to lift 15-20 lbs.

Compensation

Salary range: $55,000 – $60,000 and commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, retirement, long-term disability and health insurance.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates may email their resume and a cover letter to opportunities@northolympiclandtrust.org. Please include the words “Development Director” in the subject line. No faxes or recruiters please. Position open until filled, initial candidate review will begin on Monday, November 23.