Philanthropy Membership Manager

The San Juan Preservation Trust (SJPT) is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Philanthropy Membership Manager (PMM) to join our fund development team. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the PMM plays a vital role in supporting a mission-driven culture of giving and belonging among SJPT’s community of members and donors.

With a primary focus on managing and maximizing our fundraising database operations, this position ensures the accurate processing of donations, the integrity of our donor records, timely acknowledgment of philanthropic support, and effective gift reporting and analysis. The PMM also plays a key role in SJPT’s annual campaign, special events, and the design of donor journeys that deepen engagement and inspire continued investment in SJPT’s mission.

We’re seeking a thoughtful professional who thrives at both detail-oriented systems work, as well as relationship-building customer service with our members. A successful candidate will bring strong project management skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, and a commitment to data-informed philanthropy. This is a great opportunity for someone who takes pride in precise work, meaningful relationships, and the behind-the-scenes database operations that help make conservation possible.

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

The San Juan Preservation Trust (www.sjpt.org), founded in 1979, is a private, nonprofit, nationally accredited land trust dedicated to helping people and communities conserve land in the San Juan archipelago of Washington State.

Together with our landowner partners and members/supporters, the Preservation Trust permanently protects more than 300 properties, 50 miles of shoreline, 25 miles of trails, and nearly 19,000 acres on over 20 islands, including land now managed as public parks, nature preserves, wildlife habitat, and working farms and forests.

The Preservation Trust—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and employs approximately 26 full- and part-time staff. Our headquarters are on San Juan Island, which is served by the Washington State Ferries system. Financial support comes from the charitable contributions of some 3,000 individuals, families, and private foundations.

Our MISSION is to:

• CONSERVE the natural beauty, vital ecosystems, and unique character of the San Juan Islands for future generations;
• CARE for the lands and waters under our protection, with our partners;
• CONNECT people to nature, to each other, and to the Preservation Trust.

Responsibilities

• Donor Database Management:
  • Provide oversight and guidance on all database functions to ensure the accuracy of information in Neon and in donor correspondence
  • Crosstrain identified colleagues from other program areas to do daily gift entry and to generate corresponding gift acknowledgment letters during times of high gift volume
  • Enter and maintain records in fundraising database, including entry of contact and visit information, and gift entry as needed
  • Ensure the timely generation of acknowledgments and donor pledge correspondence
  • Create fundraising reports, generate solicitation and recognition donor lists
  • Reconcile receipts with Finance staff 
  • Optimize database functionality to meet organizational needs
  • Work closely with internal teams to ensure efficient and effective database utilization, drive application development and training, and optimize database performance
• Administration:
  • Maintain manual of database and gift processing procedures, as well as other Philanthropy program protocols and procedures
  • Access new property owner data and mail welcome packet to new islanders
  • Assist with production of development materials and special projects
  • Maintain donor paper files as needed for legal purposes
• Donor Stewardship:
  • Provide customer service via incoming calls and email
  • Manage the sustaining gift program for donors who give automatic credit card contributions
  • Create and implement donor stewardship protocols for supporters contributing annual gifts up to assigned level
• Annual Campaigns:
  • Assist efforts to secure annual gifts by helping to coordinate and produce Annual Campaign appeal letters, create segmented solicitation lists including suggested ask amounts, and assemble solicitor packets.
• Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Endowment:
  • Assist the Executive Director, Director of Philanthropy, and Senior Philanthropy Officer with efforts to secure gifts, including conducting prospective donor research and preparing donor visit briefings.
• Special Events:
  • Assist in the planning, production, and follow-up of special events.
• Provide program assistance in other areas as needed.

Knowledge, Critical Skills and Expertise

• Excellent project management skills, including organizing tasks and materials
• Ability to set priorities, handle multiple assignments and deadlines, and display excellent judgment, while operating in a flexible and professional manner
• Outstanding ability to express oneself clearly and empathetically in all forms of communication
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal and teamwork skills, with ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including developers, testers, and business users
• Strong commitment to respect, value, and contribute to SJPT’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work
• Possess a customer service focus both internally and externally
• Discretion when dealing with highly sensitive and confidential information
• Possess an understanding of data security best practices with experience implementing security measures
• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex data problems and developing effective solutions
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member

Required Qualifications

• Experience and proficiency with a constituent resource management (CRM) donor database
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to thrive within a small nonprofit office environment, possess a strong belief in land conservation, and demonstrate a passion for protecting the San Juan Islands
• Exhibit a strong work ethic and comfort with collaborative leadership

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in annual giving/development
• Background in private and community foundation grant process
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours as needed
• Familiarity with the people, communities, and culture of the San Juan Islands
• Experience working with volunteers

Location and Travel

Preference given to candidates who reside on one of the four islands served by the Washington State Ferries system (San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, or Shaw), or in the Anacortes area, with the possibility of in-person and home office work. Work location and in-person schedule to be agreed upon in conjunction with the Director of Philanthropy.

How to Apply

• Send resume and a cover letter addressing your interest in supporting donor engagement and database management for an organization like the San Juan Preservation Trust via email to jobs@sjpt.org. Please also tell us how/where you learned about the position.

We recognize that conservation is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities. SJPT encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply and join our engaged community that is committed to island conservation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. SJPT strives to live our value of respecting and welcoming diversity in all forms, which undoubtedly advances our mission to conserve land, care for land, and connect people with land.