Director of Development and Outreach

The Bayfield Regional Conservancy, Inc., a non-profit, regional land trust based in Bayfield, Wisconsin, seeks a Director of Development and Outreach (DDO) to lead and oversee implementation of the organization’s development plan and strategy, with an emphasis on individual and corporate philanthropy, membership development and retention, grant research and writing, communicating with interested public and coordinating special events.

Overview and Mission

The Conservancy works in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Sawyer Counties to preserve natural lands, waters, forests, farms and places of scenic, historic and spiritual value.  Since 1996, the Conservancy has successfully worked with private and public landowners to conserve close to 3000 acres in its service area, and has a solid reputation and track record.  Organizationally, the Conservancy is relatively small, yet positioned to grow with 1 full time and one part time staff, a membership of 450-600, and an annual operating budget of $120,000.


The Conservancy achieves its conservation goals by 1) using conservation easements and other voluntary land protection methods that respect both land and private property rights;  2) educating landowners, other organizations, public policy makers and the general public about land conservation; 3) acquiring land for nature preserves, public parks in partnership with state and local governments and other non-profit organizations.


The DDO will oversee, plan and execute (in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors) all fundraising and development activities including prospect stewardship, individual giving, events, membership, annual fund, foundation giving, grants, and planned giving.


The DDO reports to the Executive Director and works in close collaboration with him/her and the BRC Fundraising Committee, Marketing Committee and Board of Directors.

 

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising

  • Lead development and implementation of BRC’s short and long range development plan.
  • Meet annual goals for several groups of donors.
  • Ensure smooth operation of individual and major donor relationships, including gift acknowledgement, correspondence, scheduling, and appeal development.
  • Maintain systematic database of all members, major donors and non-individual donors and oversee specific informational mailings to these supporters.
  • Prepare background summaries for donor prospects including donor interests, affiliations and estimated financial capacity.
  • Develop and manage a major donor program in concert with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
  • Plan and implement events and/or field trips to engage major donors.
  • Write/prepare grant proposals and reports, donor solicitations and campaign materials.
  • Develop and implement a formal planned giving program.


Membership Development and Retention

  • Manage an ongoing membership campaign with the primary goal of increasing the organization’s membership and giving levels of those members.  Tasks involve producing/overseeing targeted mailings, arranging and/or making public presentations and other outreach activities in our service area.
  • Retain current members by various strategies such as maintaining and improving existing member renewal system; developing opportunities to engage members in our projects/sites; and production of periodic newsletter and email updates to appeal to member interests.
  • Coordinate volunteer involvement in BRC activities.
  • Communications/Outreach
  • Oversee, with guidance from the Executive Director and Marketing Committee, the maintenance of BRC website.
  • Create an annual communications and outreach plan.
  • Support organizational communications and information activities including producing newsletters, annual report, brochures, press releases and informational materials (in collaboration with the Marketing Committee).
  • Organizational Development
  • Support the Executive Director and staff in active engagement of and with the Board of Directors.

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • A passion for land conservation.
  • Undergraduate degree and 3 or more years of related fundraising experience for non-profit organizations.
  • Ability to cultivate and steward relations with major donors.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience in grant applications or marketing appeals preferred.
  • Ability to work in a team to achieve common goals, including with boards, committees, and volunteers.
  • Competency with computerized office tasks such as donor database sue, power point.  Familiarity with social media tools.
  • Detail orientated as well as big picture focused.
  • Must be committed to the organization’s conservation mission and be able to maintain strong, positive, collegial working relationships with staff, Board, and outside consultants.
  • Must be able to multi-task and have good time management skills.
  • Provide own transportation (mileage is reimbursed) to meetings, site visits and other Land Trust related activities.

 

Position Details

Part-time (24 hours/wk) with Full-Time-Equivalent salary range low to upper-mid $40,000s, depending upon qualifications.

Office location is 33 N 1st Street, Bayfield Wisconsin with opportunity to work from home for self motivated individuals.


To apply:  Send resume, cover letter, writing samples and 3 references by September 15th to: Director of Development and Outreach Position, Bayfield Regional Conservancy, P.O. Box 410, Bayfield, WI 54814 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with Director of Development and Outreach in subject line.