Position Profile

Director of Development

Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve

www.minglewoodpreserve.org

Westfield, NC

THE ORGANIZATION

Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization with the mission to teach sustainable food production and environmental stewardship. We provide meaningful environmental education opportunities for all ages, with an emphasis on pre-K through 5th grade, through curriculum-based field trips and classroom programs, workshops, and more. We work primarily in Surry, Stokes, and Forsyth Counties, spreading awareness and inspiring care for our local food system and native ecology.

Minglewood provides important experiential learning opportunities for both children and adults by bringing students of all ages into nature. We believe this is critical exposure for developing respectful human-nature relationships and a land ethic supporting environmental sustainability. We aim to demonstrate the many ways that people benefit from nature, bring awareness to local environmental issues, and inspire younger generations to become future environmental leaders.

THE CANDIDATE

The culture at Minglewood is cultivated by the committed, collaborative leadership of individuals passionate about the mission. The Director of Development plays a key role in this vibrant organization. The successful candidate will be creative and cooperative, with a strong sense of community and a genuine interest in working with the environment and youth.

Since its inception, Minglewood has been a grassroots program. As the organization has proven the value of its program over the past few years, the founders seek a Director of Development who can grow the organization and establish it in its next phase of evolution. With this growth, the time commitment and salary for the position could increase.

THE POSITION

This is an ideal opportunity for the new Director of Development to add their mark on a meaningful program, contribute to the direction of the organization, and leverage diverse fundraising skills. In this role, the Director of Development will be responsible for enhancing the current standing of the organization in the community and strengthening it through expanded support. This position serves as a primary representative for Minglewood, requiring an individual to become familiar with and well-connected to the community, communicate the passion for the mission, and advocate for programs and support.

The newly-created Director of Development position is currently part-time, 20 hours per week. As Minglewood grows, this position will have a high impact on the organization and be responsible to create, develop and build the role. Recognizing the flexible nature of this role and allowing for growth, this position has been established as a home-based opportunity, with a laptop provided by the organization. The Director of Development is expected to be on-site at the Preserve approximately one day each week, as well as attend meetings and activities in the community.

Essential duties and responsibilities of the position include the following:

  • Be a passionate and informed advocate for Minglewood and serve as a spokesperson, actively seeking opportunities to participate in events or share information that position the organization for improved fundraising or visibility
  • Work with the Board and Philanthropic Advisor to create and implement a Development Plan, including strategies and initiatives for increasing funding
  • Identify and pursue opportunities to engage institutional donors and solicit grants
  • Coordinate with other staff members and volunteers to build engagement opportunities in current and new programming that identify and cultivate new donors and partnerships
  • Strengthen relationships with individual donors through donor research, cultivation and solicitation, and donor database analysis and management, and work with the Board and Philanthropic Advisor to identify priorities
  • Identify creative philanthropic opportunities and evaluate outcomes
  • Organize and implement annual and special appeals
  • Cultivate sponsors and assist in the planning for events
  • Identify individual prospects for major and planned gifts
  • Design and develop relevant materials (solicitation letters, thank you letters, grants, invitations, progress reports, brochures, correspondence, and marketing materials)
  • Incorporate branding and community relations into development program to increase name recognition of the organization
  • Design efforts to engage in social media to expand connections throughout the community

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Bachelors Degree and 3+ years nonprofit experience in environmental and/or educational development
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and lead a comprehensive program designed to raise funds and expand the organization’s base of support
  • Success in cultivating and soliciting individual gifts
  • Experience cultivating, soliciting, and managing foundation and corporate donors, including event sponsorships
  • High level of initiative and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in various stages of progress, each with a unique timeline
  • Ability to evaluate, adjust and innovate to produce results, and to think strategically without losing focus and without losing attention to detail
  • Exceptional planning and organizational skills; Goal-, results- and detail-oriented with the ability to set and meet deadlines
  • Ability to listen perceptively and communicate effectively with a wide range of people; Proven written and oral presentation skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills; collaborative, personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic
  • Work independently as well as with other team members
  • Knowledge of environmental issues and/or education programming preferred

TO APPLY

Submit cover letter, resume, target hourly rate, and at least three references to Margie Imus at: Margie@MinglewoodPreserve.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged.