Development Staff

~ Dogwood Alliance mobilizes diverse voices to protect the unique forests and communities of the Southern US from destructive industrial logging through grassroots action, holding corporate and government decision-makers accountable, catalyzing large scale conservation and advancing a 21st century vision that fully values forests for the myriad ways in which they sustain life. ~

Having transformed the practices of some of the largest corporations in the world, Dogwood is on the leading edge of international, national and regional efforts to advance forest protection in the US South. Check out our website to learn more about us. 

Position Overview

Dogwood Alliance, Inc., a leading environmental, forest protection non-profit, is hiring development staff to help manage growth and sustainability. While we are primarily looking for a management level position, we will also consider hiring a director-level position if skill, interest, and experience match.

The Development Manager will support fundraising efforts for the organization across individual giving, events, business, and corporate giving with an emphasis on managing the cultivation of major gifts and building new membership. Primary responsibilities include managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects, assisting primary and secondary fundraisers with their portfolio management, and identifying and cultivating new prospects (individuals as well as business sponsors).

An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission are key. You’ll be expected to energize team members, persuade prospects, and persevere to help us meet our goals for individual, corporate, and event income. You will also be expected to implement best practices in fundraising, give input on multi-year strategies, and assist in creating reports for senior management and the board. This position is not responsible for managing Dogwood Alliance’s grant program.

Development staff will report directly to the Advancement Director while working closely with the Advancement Systems Manager (ASM), Executive Director, Marketing Director, and other Advancement team staff. The Development Manager is a full-time, exempt position, based in the Asheville office. This cannot be a remote position.

Responsibilities

The primary goals of this position are to:

• Assist the team with multi-year goals and strategies for growing this regional non-profit
• Support and provide leadership within a culture of philanthropy, where donors come first
• Make direct solicitations and assist the board and other staff with their solicitations (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications)
• Manage a portfolio of ~30 donors and prospects
• Create lucrative and consistent income from events and corporate giving
• Secure regular gifts of $1,000 and more with an expected growth of 10-20%+ each year in individual fundraising, major giving, event income, and corporate giving

Direct Fundraising and Donor Relationship Cultivation and Communication – 70%

• Visit and communicate with individual donors and businesses on a daily basis
• Schedule major prospective donor meetings with staff and board members
• Solicit individual donations and business sponsorships
• Co-write and send appeals and other related emails
• Share in the responsibility for Dogwood’s Ambassador Program (volunteers)
• Create, manage, and execute successful events with other team members and Ambassadors
• Acknowledge and thank donors through public and private recognition

Database – 15%

• Input and flag constituent data as needed using Raiser’s Edge NXT platform
• Assist with donor acknowledgment letters, donation processing, and mailings
• Assist the Advancement Systems Manager in analyzing giving data and setting metric goals

Planning and Management – 15%

• Assist with planning and goal setting on a quarterly basis
• Coordinate giving appeals with Advancement Department team members

Director Level Responsibilities include most of the above as well as:

• Leading all development planning and strategies within the organization
• Managing the publication of quarterly and annual reports to donors
• Maintaining a portfolio of 50 donors with regular gifts of $10,000
• Assisting with grant management
• Supervising one or more staff in the Advancement department

Qualifications

• 3+ years of demonstrated, successful direct fundraising or sales required
• AA/AS degree, BS/BA or higher in business, communications, or related field preferred
• Environmental or other non-profit experience preferred, including volunteer/board work
• Demonstrated passion and commitment for forests, the environment, and/or climate a must
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in all interactions and communications as related to race/ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender, age, and ability
• Professional database system experience preferred
• Impeccable ethics and professionalism
• Excellent oral, written, and listening skills
• Outgoing and personable
• Punctual and attendant to detail
• Proficiency in creating spreadsheets and reports
• Comfortable working with a team as well as independently
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Dedication to professional and personal development
• Work is based in Asheville, NC

Additional requirements for a Director level position would include the above with the following changes or additions:

• 7+ years of demonstrated, successful direct fundraising or sales required
• 5+ years of leading teams and projects
• 5+ years of supervising staff
• BS/BA or higher in business, communications, or related field preferred
• History of raising significant income year-over-year and/or increased sales
• Professional database system experience required
• Ability to strategize, analyze data, and create comprehensive, detailed plans

Compensation

• Range: $40-60K DOE.
• This position requires frequent regional and some national travel.
• Some weekend work required.
• Dogwood strongly supports a life/work balance and offers generous paid-time-off.
• The Development Manager is a full-time, exempt, position, based in the Asheville, North Carolina office.
• Includes a competitive salary based on experience, a benefits package including 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums, and generous paid time off. 

To Apply

Please fill in our Contact Information Form, then click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume with the subject Development Manager and your answers to the following questions:

• Why do you want to work for Dogwood Alliance?
• What is your understanding of the position?
• What experience do you have that makes you a good fit for this position?

Position open until filled. Start date approximately May 1st.

~ We value and respect all types of diversity and strongly encourage applicants from traditionally marginalized groups to apply. We prohibit discrimination and harassment and provide equal employment opportunity without regard to, and not limited to, ethnicity, religion, race, national origin, abilities, gender identity, age, or genetic information. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting those from minority and disadvantaged groups. We want to live in a world that recognizes the inherent strengths that come from different viewpoints, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. As a team, we have taken on a commitment to examining our unconscious biases and want to work towards an equitable, peaceful, and just world. ~