Communications & Development Specialist

Grand Traverse Conservation District; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Job summary

The Grand Traverse Conservation District seeks a relationship-driven Communications & Development Specialist to grow philanthropic support and strengthen donor, partner, and community connections. Based at the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City, this role leads fundraising and communications across conservation, education, and outreach efforts.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator and relationship-builder, with 2–3 years in fundraising or nonprofit development, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and manage projects from concept through completion.
• Fundraising, donor-management software, grant writing, graphic design, or video experience is preferred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for annual giving, sustaining donors, major gifts, and fundraising campaigns.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors, businesses, and foundations.
• Develop annual appeals, donor communication, and compelling cases for support.
• Assist with grant research, writing, and submissions.
• Coordinate donor recognition, fundraising events, and other engagement opportunities.
• Lead GTCD’s organizational communications, branding, marketing, website, social media, and public relations efforts.
• Develop compelling content for newsletters, annual reports, press releases, fundraising materials, and digital communications.
• Help increase GTCD’s visibility and communicate the impact of our work throughout the community.
• Build relationships with community partners, volunteers, supporters, and local businesses.
• Supervise the Outreach & Giving Coordinator.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship building

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Fundraising software

Donor management software

Grant writing

Graphic design

Video editing

Job description

The Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) is seeking a relationship-driven Communications

& Development Specialist to grow philanthropic support for our mission and strengthen how we

connect with donors, partners, volunteers, and the broader community. Based at the Boardman

River Nature Center in Traverse City, GTCD works across conservation, environmental education,

sustainable agriculture, and community engagement. Our mission is to lead, facilitate, and

inspire exploration, appreciation, conservation, and restoration of our natural world.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position will lead and support fundraising, donor

development, communications, and community engagement efforts. The ideal candidate is an

excellent communicator and relationship-builder who can inspire people to support GTCD’s work

and help expand our base of donors and supporters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement strategies for annual giving, sustaining donors, major gifts, and fundraising campaigns.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors, businesses, and foundations.
• Develop annual appeals, donor communication, and compelling cases for support.
• Assist with grant research, writing, and submissions.
• Coordinate donor recognition, fundraising events, and other engagement opportunities.
• Lead GTCD’s organizational communications, branding, marketing, website, social media, and public relations efforts.
• Develop compelling content for newsletters, annual reports, press releases, fundraising
• materials, and digital communications.
• Help increase GTCD’s visibility and communicate the impact of our work throughout the community.

Community & Volunteer Engagement

• Build relationships with community partners, volunteers, supporters, and local businesses.
• Supervise the Outreach & Giving Coordinator.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit development,
• communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and manage projects from concept through completion.
• Fundraising, donor-management software, grant writing, graphic design, or video experience is preferred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

COMPENSATION

The Conservation Director position is a full time, 40 hours/week, FLSA exempt position. Base salary:

$50,000-$60,000/year, commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid holidays, 18 paid

days off per year, retirement, and the Conservation District’s group health insurance package

The Grand Traverse Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and will not

discriminate in employment, promotions, or compensation on the basis of race, sex, color,

religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status,

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal,