Development Specialist

Development Specialist

Reports to:   Senior Director for Development           Salary Range: $33,000 – 48,000 DOQ

Nonexempt       Full time (40 hour week)      Not Temporary

 

Position Summary:

As a member of the Development Team, the Development Specialist will be responsible for raising private donations in support of the Forest Society’s annual operating budget. This is a position at the center of the Forest Society’s development operations, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to creating and communicating the Forest Society’s message to multiple audiences.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Grant Writing: Produce proposals to foundations and individuals to support annual operating programs.

  • Plan and develop proposals with assistance from program staff and development team
  • Research and identify potential funding sources
  • Write letters of inquiry, grant proposals, thank you letters and grant reports

 

2. Manage Business Membership program, including both annual memberships and event sponsorships.

  • Write and prepare twice-annual business solicitations and periodic invitations to sponsor events
  • Organize business member events and sponsorship programs with assistance from development and communications staff
  • Monitor and service business membership renewals
  • Identify and cultivate new business member/sponsor prospects

 

3. Write, format and execute project support solicitation letters in collaboration with development team and other staff

  • Write, format and execute regional and project-related solicitation appeal letters
  • Create, format and execute other solicitations as assigned

 

4. Create and mail pledge reminders in donor-centric business letter format

 

5.  Write, create and present oral presentations to community groups as assigned

 

6. Organize, and assist with Forest Society events and represent the organization at Forest Society or other external events as assigned.

 

7.   Execute special projects occasionally as assigned.

 

8.   Participate in occasional outdoor-based activities such as annual Staff Field Day, events on our reservations, etc.

 

Contributions/Outcomes:

The Development Specialist will be the only member of the development team specifically devoted to raising grant funds to support the Forest Society’s $4.44 million annual operating budget. The specialist will be expected to achieve specific dollar goals set annually. The specialist will work across all departments within the organization and will help develop “the case for support” for numerous program areas and initiatives.

 

Qualifications and Skills required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in related field e.g. communications, environmental education, marketing
  • Five- to ten-years’ experience in grant writing or development required
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Proven track record of success securing grants
  • Excellent researching skills and proven ability identifying potential funding sources
  • Proficiency matching program needs to funding sources and articulating case for support
  • Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or comparable fundraising databases
  • Proficiency with MS Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher
  • Self-starter – requires the ability to seek and synthesize information from diverse sources
  • Attention to detail and highest standards of excellence and confidentiality
  • Ability to anticipate, manage and meet deadlines consistently
  • Good oral presentation skills – ability to be articulate and have presence speaking before groups
  • Good judgement, a can-do attitude, creativity and a sense of humor appreciated
  • Knowledge of and commitment to land conservation mission
  • Have and maintain a valid driver’s license with proof of insurance
  • Experience writing to a donor audience preferred

 

Working Conditions:

Office work with some travel and occasional evenings and weekends for events

Award-winning energy-efficient, smoke-free office building with open floor plan

 

Physical Requirements:

Ability to function in an open-floor plan office environment

Ability to work on writing assignments that may require long stretches of sitting and typing

Ability to travel within the state of New Hampshire