Eagle Valley Land Trust

Annual Giving and Events Manager Job Description

Job Title: Annual Giving and Events Manager 

Reports To: Deputy Director

Prepared Date: 5/17/2021

Classification: Fulltime, Exempt

 

Position Summary

EVLT is seeking a philanthropy professional to round out our team and lead fundraising efforts to support our exciting work. The Annual Giving and Events Manager is responsible for building, implementing and sustaining a diverse and robust fundraising plan to support the organization’s annual operating budget and ensuring budget goals are met or exceeded. The Annual Giving and Events Manager adheres to best practices and ensures that proper fundraising policies and procedures are implemented and followed. The Annual Giving and Events Manager is also responsible for developing strategies to support annual fundraising needs, implementing effective special events, building financial reserves, and building support at all levels with the Board, volunteers, key stakeholders and staff to achieve fundraising goals. This position is responsible for supporting budget development, planning and implementing strategies and practices that identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward existing and prospective donors. This is a new position, and the Annual Giving and Events Manager has the opportunity to build on EVLT’s existing Fundraising and Communications plan, while bringing your own expertise and creativity to the strategies. EVLT is a financially healthy and thriving organization, the new Annual Giving and Events Manager will help take our fundraising efforts to the next level. EVLT has engaged a Philanthropy Consultant who can support creation, hiring, training and onboarding for this new position, as needed. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

Fundraising and Events ( (70%)

  • Build relationships with key donors, board members and stakeholders to support the mission and work of EVLT.
  • Manages a donor engagement plan to cultivate, steward and acknowledge existing and new donors.
  • Identifies new funding opportunities that contribute to a diverse and comprehensive fundraising plan.
  • Maintains individual portfolio of approximately 75-100 annual donors 
  • Creates personalized proposals for major individual donors for annual and restricted gifts
  • Supports the ED and the Deputy Director in growing the  major gift program by upgrading existing donors and identifying new donor prospects that can be cultivated in partnership with the board of directors.
  • Actively prospects and solicits new donors and conducts donor research on existing and new potential donors.
  • Manages creation and execution of a comprehensive Annual Fundraising plan and works in partnership with the Deputy Director to develop a coordinated Communications/Marketing Plan. 
  • Manages planning, direction, and execution of annual fund drive and direct mail appeals, regular mailings and communications to donors and key stakeholders
  • Supports cultivation of new corporate prospects
  • Leverages existing relationships and creates new relationships to secure funding opportunities for various programs, events or campaign-related expenses.
  • Grant Administration: Coordinates and delegates grants and grant administration  including communication, proposal, and reporting to foundations, individuals, corporate, government agencies and other funding institutions.
  • Ensures EVLT is in compliance with funder regulations.
  • Ensures all donor cultivation and fundraising events are developed and executed with the mission in mind and delivered in a collaborative, effective manner that honors deadlines and stays within the established budgets.
  • Responsible for implementing organizational fundraising events including event planning, development, execution and volunteer coordination
  • Plans and executes EVLT’s annual gala, Farm to Fork, in collaboration with a contracted event planner and planning committee, that meets fundraising targets and stays within budget.
  • Responsible for coordinating and providing direction to the event planner, organizing the event committee, and ensuring revenue goals for the event are met in cooperation with the broader EVLT team. 
  • Oversees all development and event expense budgets and provides accurate monthly and annual projections

 

Internal – Development Functions (10%)

  • Coordinates daily operations of development functions
  • Coordinates fundraising goals and develops revenue budgets to align with organizational fundraising capacity and operational needs. 
  • In conjunction with Operations Manager, confirms accuracy of all donor recognition listings
  • In coordination with Operations Manager, develops and maintains donor relationships including but not limited to generating thank you letters, annual mail campaigns and maintaining pledges/matching gifts.
  • Coordinates and manages a comprehensive donor database including establishing best practices and organizational standards, updating donor records based on communication and engagement with donors, and producing reports.
  • Finance: Supports Deputy Director on financial planning to include but not limited to budget creation and ongoing revenue forecasting.

 

Organizational Leadership/Management (10%)

  • Manages relationships with outside professionals
  • Participates in (and facilitates on a rotating basis) staff meetings once a week
  • Represents EVLT during community events as appropriate
  • Demonstrates inclusivity and equity in all activities and communications 
  • Ensures compliance with Land Trust Alliance and Association of Fundraising Professionals Standards and Practices      

 

Boards and Committees (10%)

  • Partners with the Board of Directors to engage them in fundraising strategies, donor identification, cultivation, stewardship and acknowledgement.
  • Works with the ED and Board of Directors to support all board members in making a meaningful contribution to EVLT on an annual basis.
  • Manages the activities of the Development Committee and Special Events Committee
  • Supports the ED for the activities of the Endowment Committee
  • Submits proposals, reports and documentation to Board of Directors in a high-quality and timely manner.
  • Works closely with the Board of Directors with plans, solicitation and stewardship. 

 

Special Projects (time allocation will shift as special projects are identified and set in motion)

  • Work in partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff and additional third party contractors to grow the endowment and support organizational capital needs. 
  • Support the ED, board, staff and external consultants in the exploration and launch of a Comprehensive Campaign that includes building the endowment and raising capital funds for conservation projects and the Find a Home Capital Campaign. 

 

As a small operation, be willing to both oversee and directly implement each component of the development operation.

 

Completes other tasks/duties as assigned

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Strategic thinker, skilled in establishing priorities and can creatively overcome obstacles and resource constraints.
  • Excellent verbal communication, written communication, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to prioritize competing demands, while handling multiple tasks, projects, and meet deadlines. 
  • Ability to work independently, assist with a variety of projects, and be assertive as appropriate.
  • Ability to develop program plans, coordinate team activities, communicate progress and facilitate projects on time and within budget.
  • Basic understanding of ecological concepts in land conservation and an understanding of land trust’s role in conserving local land.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel is required.
  • Committed to upholding EVLT’s mission, vision and values.
  • Ability to gather, analyze, interpret, and communicate diverse and complex information including complex agreements and contracts.
  • Ability to work well as part of a team to resolve challenges and complete projects.
  • Consistently follows through on commitments and takes responsibility for actions.
  • Ability to develop program plans, coordinate team activities, communicate progress and facilitate programs on time and within budget.
  • Professionalism and ability to be discreet with confidential and sensitive issues.

 

Education, Training, and Experience

  • Minimum of two years’ experience in fundraising in a non-profit organization or with a comparable organization utilizing parallel transferable skills. 
  • Experience organizing and implementing special events. 
  • Proven experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of people and build long-term relationships.
  • Strong organizational and management skills.
  • Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
  • Strong knowledge of MS Office, Google Suite and DonorPerfect (or other fundraising CRM ).
  • Passionate about the mission of Eagle Valley Land Trust and willingness to be a community representative and advocate of the organization.

 

Travel Requirements

This is a full-time position, including occasional weekend and evening work during programs, special events, and fundraising campaigns.

Good driving record, a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

 

Physical Demands

A blend of office work and community engagement activities, this position will require periodic weekend, early morning and evening work. Work requires some physical exertion such as strenuous hiking, walking, standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs), carrying, or similar activities.

 

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $55,000-$75,000. This position is eligible for the following employment benefits:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with premiums paid 60% by the employer for the employee
  • A SimpleIRA plan with 3% employer match
  • Paid time off to be used for vacation, medical, and personal time away from work accrued based on time with the organization
  • 10 paid holidays per year

 

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.