Development Director

Feiro Marine Life Center; Renton (WA); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve in Renton, WA seeks a Development Director to build and lead fundraising programs reporting to the Board. The role focuses on donor engagement, major gifts, grant seeking, and developing systems that sustain the organization’s conservation mission.

You will work with the founder, board, and staff, supported by an advisor during the first year to establish donor relations, communications, and a year-end campaign.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or closely related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills across multiple formats: donor appeals, grant narratives, newsletters, stewardship reports.
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills, including comfort presenting to donors, board members, and community groups.
• Familiarity with donor database systems; willingness to become the organizational expert in DonorPerfect.
• Familiarity with grant writing, grant coordination, or foundation relations.
• Experience with or genuine interest in communications, brand management, and organizational storytelling.
• Proficiency with standard office tools (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) and comfort learning new platforms.

Responsibilities

• Donor Engagement & Stewardship: manage donor stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation program with tiered, personalized touchpoints.
• Plan and execute SHADOW's year-end and spring fundraising campaigns, including appeals and acknowledgments.
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and community events, including stewardship gatherings on the preserve and partner events.
• Identify and develop strategies for donor acquisition through events, tours, and partnerships.
• Partner with board members and the Executive Director to steward key donor relationships and provide briefings.
• Manage donor acknowledgment processes to ensure gifts are recognized promptly.
• Represent SHADOW in community settings – civic organizations, chambers of commerce and clubs – to build awareness and relationships.
• Support production of an annual impact report communicating conservation and stewardship achievements.
• Donor Systems & Infrastructure: manage the donor database, generate regular fundraising reports, maintain dashboards and data integrity.
• Develop and maintain an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and board.
• Coordinate board participation in fundraising activities and train on donor engagement.
• Prepare and present fundraising dashboards to the board and monitor progress.
• Track fundraising data to inform strategy and share progress with leadership.
• Contribute to organizational planning related to fundraising, communications, and sustainability.
• Write donor-facing appeals, stewardship reports, and campaign materials.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Grant writing

Donor relations

Storytelling

Public speaking

Tools

DonorPerfect

Mailchimp

Constant Contact

Job description

Development Director

shadowhabitat.org

Status :Full-time, salaried non-exempt

Reports to :Board of Directors

Location :Renton, WA | Hybrid (min. 2 days/week on-site)

Salary :$62,000 - $75,000 per year + benefits (see below)

Posted :July 2026 | Open until filled

About SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve

Save Habitat And Diversity Of Wetlands (SHADOW) Lake Nature Preserve acquires, restores, and permanently stewards critical wetland and wildlife habitat in the Shadow Lake watershed, protecting ecosystems that support native plants and wildlife while delivering vital ecological services: carbon storage, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and stormwater filtration. One of the few remaining bogs in King County, SHADOW currently protects 133 acres in a rapidly urbanizing corner of the region, with active conversations underway to expand protections significantly in the years ahead. Through habitat preservation, active restoration, environmental education, guided nature walks, and community science, SHADOW connects people to the natural world in ways that create lifelong stewards.

The Opportunity

This is SHADOW's first-ever dedicated development position reporting directly to the Board, a rare chance to build something lasting at an organization with a compelling mission, a loyal donor community, a supportive and engaged board, and 133 acres of irreplaceable wetland habitat that stops people in their tracks.
We're looking for a builder: someone energized by creating systems, telling stories, and cultivating relationships that will sustain this organization for decades. You'll work closely with our founder, board, and small staff team, supported by an experienced development advisor and coach during your first year who will provide hands-on guidance as you build the program.
Year One success: systems working, donors feeling seen and appreciated, communications consistent, and a strong year-end campaign. This is the foundation, and you'll be the one who builds it.

Responsibilities

• Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Manage a comprehensive donor stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation program with tiered, personalized touchpoints for donors at every level, from small annual givers to major supporters
• Plan and execute SHADOW's year-end and spring fundraising campaigns, including appeals and acknowledgments
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and community events, including stewardship gatherings on the preserve, third-party fundraising events, and other engagement opportunities
• Identify and develop strategies for donor acquisition through events, tours, and community partnerships
• Partner with board members and the Executive Director to steward and cultivate key donor relationships, providing briefings, talking points, and strategic support
• Manage donor acknowledgment processes to ensure every gift is recognized promptly and personally
• Represent SHADOW in community settings including civic organizations, chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs, and regional community groups, building awareness and relationships on behalf of the organization
• Support production of an annual impact report, coordinating content and design to communicate SHADOW’s conservation and stewardship achievements to donors and the community

Institutional Fundraising

• Manage the grants calendar, tracking deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal cycles for all active and prospective grants
• Research and identify new foundation, government, and corporate grant opportunities aligned with SHADOW's mission and priorities
• Write, edit, and submit grant proposals and reports in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Maintain funder relationships and records, ensuring consistent and professional communication with institutional partners

Donor Systems & Infrastructure

• Manage and maintain the donor database (DonorPerfect), ensuring data integrity, accurate gift records, and consistent data-entry standards across the organization
• Generate regular fundraising reports and maintain the metrics and dashboards that track progress toward annual goals
• Own and continuously improve gift-processing, acknowledgment, and donor record workflows
• Serve as the organizational lead on development systems, tools, and technology, evaluating and improving infrastructure as the program grows

Fundraising Strategy & Planning

• Develop and maintain an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and board, setting goals, priorities, and tactics for each year
• Coordinate board participation in fundraising activities, including training, strategic deployment for donor meetings, and accountability for board-level fundraising commitments
• Prepare and present a fundraising dashboard to the board at each board meeting, covering revenue, donor count, retention, and campaign results
• Research peer organizations and regional fundraising trends to continuously improve SHADOW's approach
• Track, interpret, and use fundraising data to inform strategy, adjust tactics, and communicate progress to leadership and the board
• Contribute to organizational strategic planning as it relates to fundraising, communications, and long-term sustainability
• Write and produce donor-facing appeals, stewardship reports, and campaign materials

What We're Looking For

We encourage candidates who meet several of these areas to apply. We don't expect every box to be checked.

Experience & Skills

• 3 to 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or a closely related field, or equivalent transferable experience
• Strong writing and editing skills across multiple formats: donor appeals, grant narratives, newsletters, stewardship reports
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills, including comfort presenting to donors, board members, and community groups
• Comfort with donor database systems; willingness to become the organizational expert in DonorPerfect Experience with email marketing platforms (Constant Contact, Mailchimp, or similar)
• Familiarity with grant writing, grant coordination, or foundation relations
• Experience with or genuine interest in communications, brand management, and organizational storytelling
• Proficiency with standard office tools (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) and comfort learning new platforms

Personal Qualities

• Builder orientation: energized by creating systems, structure, and programs from scratch
• Genuine connection to conservation, wetlands, wildlife, or environmental stewardship
• Warm and relational: builds trust with donors, colleagues, and community partners naturally and authentically
• Emotionally intelligent and politically savvy: comfortable navigating a wide range of community affiliations and relationships with tact
• Organized and detail-oriented: able to manage a grants calendar, a donor communications & stewardship calendar, and a giving campaign simultaneously
• Collaborative and adaptable: comfortable working alongside a founder, a volunteer board, part-time staff, and community volunteers
• Self-directed: sets priorities, manages time well, and asks for help when needed

Why SHADOW

• SHADOW Lake is a place that moves people. Donors who visit don't just write checks; they become lifelong stewards. The preserve itself is your most powerful fundraising tool.
• You'll be the first. SHADOW has never had a dedicated development professional. That means real ownership, real creativity, and real impact from day one.
• Eat lunch while deer pass by. Work alongside colleagues who genuinely love being here. Come alive in a place of rare natural beauty across every season.
• The board is engaged, supportive, and ready to participate in fundraising alongside you.
• You'll be supported by an experienced development advisor and coach during your first year, providing hands-on guidance as you build the program.
• Every dollar raised protects land that can never be replaced, in one of the most rapidly urbanizing areas of King County.

Compensation & Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $62,000 to $75,000 annually. Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and qualifications relative to the role; candidates who meet the core requirements can expect an offer in the lower-to-middle portion of this range, while the top of the range is reserved for candidates who exceed the stated qualifications.
• Benefits include health and dental insurance (60/40 employer/employee split), paid time off, flexible scheduling with supervisor approval, and support for professional development and continuing education.

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a team as diverse as the ecosystems we protect.