Director of Development, West Coast - American Farmland Trust

See original job posting here.

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting sound conservation practices and keeping farmers on the land.  Since our founding in 1980, the organization has helped protect more than 5 million acres of our country’s working lands.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, WEST COAST

American Farmland Trust seeks a Director of Development for fundraising operations on the West Coast. This person will be responsible for the oversight, planning and implementation of a comprehensive development program for the assigned region and will coordinate national outreach as assigned by the Vice President of Development and External Relations. Additionally, the Director of Development will secure gifts from individuals and other sources to support AFT’s priorities throughout the U.S.; work with the Vice President to establish fundraising goals; cultivate a select group of prospects (150+) working closely with the development and program team to steward gifts; and plan/execute selective prospect cultivation and stewardship events.  The person who fills this position will be responsible for meeting specific annual revenue goals and contributing to the overall achievement of the organization's revenue goals.

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial professional who enjoys front-line relationship building, soliciting, developing and driving strategies with senior leadership, and demonstrating creativity and relationship-building savvy to make connections and secure in-person appointments.  The candidate must be able to articulate the case to support the vision/mission/goals of American Farmland Trust for the purpose of securing major gifts and pledges.

The Director of Development reports to the Vice President of Development and External Relations. The position is subject to the gift-related policies and procedures of AFT and the ethical standards of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. This position requires significant travel. 

Essential Functions:

• Manage portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Design, develop, plan, oversee and evaluate individual donor/prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition for assigned portfolio.
• Travel throughout assigned region and nationally as necessary to cultivate relationships with donors and prospects.
• Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and gift closure.
• Coordinate donor/prospect visits for other staff members, volunteers, AFT leadership and board members.
• Implement programs/activities to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors at the major gift level, with an emphasis on maximizing revenue for AFT.
• Develop and execute ongoing strategy for qualifying suspects and moving them to prospect status using tools such as small cultivation events, research and community networking.
• Conduct individualized responses to donor/prospect contacts with appropriate communications and reporting.
• Share information on planned giving opportunities with donors as appropriate.
• Execute events and other fundraising activities that advance AFT’s relationship with donors/prospects.
• Monitor and maintain travel budget.
• Collaborate with all AFT units to advance fundraising.
• Prepare written documents in support of solicitation, cultivation and development events, including correspondence, strategic plans, invitations and reports. Develop highly tailored proposals.
• Coordinate an effective program for recognition, involvement and stewardship of donors.
• Average number of significant contacts per year: 150+ (minimum 12 personal visits per month average).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field and demonstrated success in closing major and principal gifts.
• Minimum of 7 years experience in major gift fundraising.
• Proficiency in event planning and campaign management, or any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Knowledge and related experience in direct mail, public relations, advertising or marketing.
• Expert knowledge in planned giving.
• Professional skill preparing and presenting proposals and case statements.
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge and Microsoft Office.
• Expert skill with membership databases and moves management systems.
• Working knowledge of prospect research methodologies, best practices and evolving trends in major and principal gifts philanthropy.
• Demonstrated team player with commitment to the mission, philosophy and values of American Farmland Trust.
• Must be organized, creative, proactive, and detail-oriented with a strong ability to prioritize.
• Have sound judgment in maintaining confidentiality of donor information.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills required.
• Knowledge of tax laws that impact charitable giving.

Suggested Metrics:

The Director of Development, with direction from the Vice President, will be proactive in the Development team’s successful implementation of the major gifts plan.  He/she is also responsible for meeting an individual portfolio fundraising target by working with assigned donors and prospects to advance the mission of the American Farmland Trust, including renewable gifts and new incremental revenue.

Applications and Inquiries:

Send letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments to: jobs@farmland.org