www.wallowalandtrust.org
Position Title: Development Director
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Exempt, full-time, permanent position (36 hours/week)
Location: Enterprise, Oregon. Hybrid work possible, with a minimum of 50% in-office presence.
Compensation: $63,000–$68,000 annually, DOE. Health insurance, vision, dental, retirement,
vacation, and other benefits included.
BACKGROUND
Wallowa Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Enterprise, Oregon.
Founded in 2004, our mission is to protect the rural nature of Wallowa Country by working
cooperatively with private landowners, Indigenous people, local communities, and governmental
entities to conserve land.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Wallowa Land Trust is seeking a values-driven, strategic Development Director to lead and
strengthen the organization’s philanthropy program. This role is responsible for building and
managing the systems, strategies, and structures that support sustainable fundraising for a place-
based conservation nonprofit.
The Development Director works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and staff
to align fundraising strategy with organizational priorities and to foster a strong culture of
philanthropy across the organization. As a new position, the Development Director will have a
unique opportunity to design and implement fundraising infrastructure that supports long-term
organizational resilience and continuity.
Importantly, this role is designed to support the Executive Director as WLT’s primary external
fundraiser and relationship-builder. While the Development Director will steward some donor
relationships directly, the emphasis of the position is on preparation, coordination, systems
development, and follow-through—ensuring that fundraising efforts are organized, intentional,
and successful regardless of staff transitions.
This position focuses primarily on donor growth and retention, including major gifts and planned
giving, while providing strategic oversight of foundation and agency grant fundraising in
collaboration with a long-term external grant writer. The Development Director also helps give
voice to the work of the Land Trust within the community through thoughtful storytelling and
donor engagement strategies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
• Serve on WLT’s Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and aligning
conservation, fundraising, and operational goals
• Lead the development and implementation of annual and multi-year fundraising plans with
clear goals, deliverables, and metrics for success
• Design and maintain clear, documented fundraising systems, processes, and tools that
ensure continuity, transparency, and organizational resilience over time
• Develop and manage the fundraising and outreach budget in coordination with the
Executive Director
• Contribute to annual organizational planning, goal-setting, and budgeting processes
Executive Director Fundraising Enablement
• Build and manage donor pipelines, engagement strategies, and tracking systems that
support effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship by the Executive Director and
Board
• Prepare donor research, briefing materials, talking points, and solicitation strategies to
support Executive Director donor meetings
• Track donor engagement activity, follow-up actions, and next steps to ensure consistent
and timely stewardship
• Coordinate scheduling, materials, and internal alignment to maximize the effectiveness of
Executive Director donor interactions
Board Engagement & Culture of Philanthropy
• Serve as lead staff liaison to the Board of Directors and Development Committee,
supporting board engagement in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Foster a strong culture of philanthropy across staff and board, building shared ownership
of fundraising success
Donor Fundraising & Relationship Management
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects, while
prioritizing systems and processes that support long-term organizational fundraising
success
• Develop and implement a Major Donor and Planned Giving Program appropriate to the
organization’s size, capacity, and community context • Support donor engagement through in-person meetings, written communications, events,
and thoughtful follow-up
Grants Oversight & Coordination
• Provide strategic oversight of foundation and agency grant fundraising in collaboration
with a long-term external grant writer, including proposal review, timeline management,
internal coordination, and funder stewardship
• Coordinate internally to ensure program staff and leadership provide timely information,
data, and reporting needed to support successful grant proposals and compliance
Communications & Campaigns
• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising-related communications and outreach,
ensuring alignment between messaging, marketing materials, and fundraising goals
• Collaborate with staff and consultants to ensure communications effectively support
development strategies
• Contribute to planning and implementation of future organizational fundraising campaigns
and special initiatives
• Participate in regional, state, and national fundraising conversations related to broader
conservation initiatives and partnerships
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• Passion for the mission of Wallowa Land Trust and a commitment to community-based
conservation
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising success, particularly in support of major gift
cultivation and donor stewardship
• Strong strategic thinking and systems-building skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust through thoughtful listening,
integrity, and follow-through
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail
• Experience using relational donor databases (e.g., DonorPerfect or similar systems)
• Experience collaborating on effective fundraising communications and marketing for
nonprofits
• Proficiency with general office software
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Cultural competence working with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities, and
economic backgrounds
Also helpful, but not required:
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential
• Experience working for a land trust or conservation-focused organization
• Experience with inclusive and equitable fundraising practices, including community-
centered or movement-based approaches
WORKING CONDITIONS
• This position is based in Wallowa Land Trust’s office in Enterprise, Oregon, with a hybrid
schedule requiring at least 50% in-office presence
• Work requires minor physical exertion; occasional outdoor work may occur in all weather
conditions and uneven terrain
• Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance required
• Some evening and weekend work required
• Work is often fast-paced and requires attention to multiple detailed projects with
deadlines
This position description serves as a general overview of the role’s responsibilities and
requirements. Duties and expectations may evolve to meet the organization’s changing needs.
Wallowa Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote
individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or age. People of color, LGBTQ+
people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are
strongly encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Email a single PDF with cover letter, resume and three references to
kathleen@wallowalandtrust.org. Position open until filled.