Development Manager

bloedelreserve; Bainbridge Island (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k with 5% employer match

3 weeks of vacation per year

12 days of sick leave per year

13 days of personal holiday time per,

Bloedel Reserve membership

30% gift shop discount

$5 per month cell phone allowance

Job summary

Bloedel Reserve is seeking a Development Manager to lead annual fundraising for core mission support. You will manage major gifts, donor events, and landscape of giving initiatives, collaborating with leadership to ensure growth and sustainability.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of frontline fundraising, strong donor-centered methods, and expertise in CRM systems. This on-site role offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for leadership development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of frontline fundraising experience in soliciting gifts and stewarding supporters.
• Proven written and oral communications excellence, including proofreading.
• Excellent understanding of donor-centered and moves management fundraising philosophies.
• Experience managing budgets and maximizing their effectiveness.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills: Microsoft systems; CRM (Blackbaud’s Altru or Raiser’s Edge preferred).
• Must pass background check and comply with smoke-free and drug-free environment.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Events: Oversees Garden Party logistics, schedules meetings, and coordinates with vendors for efficiency.
• Annual Fundraising: Manages Major Gifts portfolio and Landscape of Giving initiatives; supports donor recognition and Appeals.
• Management & Planning: Runs data analytics, forecasts trends, and reports progress to the Director of Development.
• Administration: Uses Altru for reporting and reviews fundraising data integrity with the team.

Skills

Frontline fundraising

Donor stewardship

Communication skills

Moves management

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Tools

Blackbaud Altru CRM

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft 365

Job description

Working closely with the Director of Development, the Development Manager is responsible for achieving the organization’s annual fundraising goals for core mission support. The Development Manager’s role as a frontline fundraiser requires a passion for connecting individuals and their resources to Bloedel Reserve’s mission, vision, principles, and values.

The Development Manager’s purview is broad in scope and deep in relevance to the Reserve’s ongoing financial stability. Responsibilities include: appeal management; donor event support (including for Bloedel Reserve’s signature fundraising event, the Garden Party); and stewardship of Landscape of Giving donors ($1,500 supporter recognition society). The Development Manager collaborates with the Development team, the CEO, Trustees, and other key stakeholders to position Bloedel Reserve for growth and sustainability through friend-raising and fundraising. The Development Manager also works cross-functionally and collaboratively with other teams and colleagues at the Reserve.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Fundraising Events (45%)

1. Oversees logistics surrounding the Garden Party by using the ‘work back schedule’ ensuring all relevant stakeholders are moving tasks forward in a timely and collaborative manner.
2. Schedules all meetings around the planning and support of the Garden Party, including making agendas, taking notes, and addressing necessary follow up.
3. Works across the team, across the organization, and with relevant vendors to ensure a streamlined process for maximum efficiency
4. Supports budget tracking and communication with the Director of Development (DoD).
5. Stewards all table hosts, board members, speakers, honorees, and SAC to provide a personalized and supported experience so they can advocate for the event.

Annual Fundraising (30%)

1. Major Gifts: Manages a portfolio of up to 100 individuals and business leaders in service to annual mission support for the CEO and Director of Development. This includes maintaining a rigorous schedule of best practices in prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and that all work is tracked into the database and leadership has the ongoing support needed to build these relationships.
2. Landscape of Giving: Ensures Landscape of Giving benefits are being developed and fulfilled in collaboration with other team members. List build for Landscape of Giving communication over the course of the year to ensure timely and relevant touch points are delivered.
3. Appeals: Oversees and implements annual fundraising Appeals for annual mission support—from online public appeals such as Kitsap Great Give to regular seasonal print appeals. Collaborates with the Communications Manager and graphic designer(s) to develop related print and online collateral.
4. Donor Events: Assists with the implementation of regular donor recognition and special events, including Landscape of Giving events and other special, by-invitation events. Serves as a relationship manager with table hosts and select VIP guests leading up to Bloedel Reserve’s signature fundraising event, the Garden Party.
5. Other: Supports colleagues in editing and reviews and/or takes the lead with writing projects when needed. Participates in professional associations and workshops for leadership development and

Management & Planning (15%)

1. Manages, monitors, tracks, and reports regularly to the DoD on progress towards annual, quarterly, and appeals-based objectives, with comparative analysis, forecasting, and presentation.
2. Runs data analytics as directed by the DoD to support and inform fundraising strategy, prospecting, and planning, as well as evaluation of impact on efforts.
3. Collaborates with the DoD and Finance team on long-term forecasting and trends pertinent to Bloedel Reserve’s Development plan.

Administration (10%)

1. Uses Altru for maximum efficiency and Oversees reporting utilities in collaboration with the development team; collaborates with the Director of Development to review software capabilities for fundraising data integrity and prospect research.
2. Cooperates with the team to continually assess and improve systems, software, and processes.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. Minimum 5 years of frontline fundraising experience in soliciting gifts and stewarding supporters
2. Enjoys people and demonstrates an interest in learning about their philanthropic priorities
3. Knowledge of Bainbridge Island/Puget Sound, and arts, cultural and/or public garden nonprofits preferred
4. Proven written and oral communications excellence, including proficiency in proofreading
5. Excellent understanding of “donor-centered” and “moves management” fundraising philosophies
6. Experience managing budgets and maximizing their effectiveness
7. Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred
8. Intermediate to advanced computer skills: Microsoft systems; CRM (Blackbaud’s Altru or Raiser’s Edge preferred)
9. Must pass background check
10. Must comply with and maintain a smoke-free and drug-free work environment

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

1. Passion for Bloedel Reserve’s mission, vision, and values as they pertain to horticulture, conservation, creativity, and wellness
2. Team player who is solution-oriented, resilient, and enjoys collaborating with others
3. Exceptional discretion and judgment in handling sensitive and/or confidential information
4. Interacts tactfully and positively with co-workers, the public, and diverse constituencies
5. Thrives in a can-do, fast-paced environment that requires strategic thinking, practical results, and high standards for accuracy and timeliness
6. Excellent time management skills with an ability to communicate effectively under demanding deadlines
7. Strong organizational skills with a for establishing systems and efficiencies

MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED

1. Microsoft 365 applications such as Excel and Word, Blackbaud/Altru CRM, Greater Giving, BambooHR HRIS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The ability to lift up to 25 pounds independently
2. Ability to sit, stand and work on feet for an extended period of time

CONDITIONS

95% Indoors: Office environment; 5% Outdoors: Pacific Northwest weather conditions

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability and life insurance
• Health care & dependent care flexible spending accounts
• 401k with 5% employer match after 1 year of employment
• 3 weeks of vacation per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• 13 days of personal holiday time per year
• Bloedel Reserve membership
• 30% Bloedel Reserve gift shop discount
• $5 per month cell phone allowance

Our Commitment to Diversity: Bloedel Reserve is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. We recognize that public horticulture has historically excluded and continues to disproportionately exclude Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with these identities, as well as anyone who brings a unique perspective to our work.

We are committed to supporting employees by making accommodations as needed, ensuring accessibility, and promoting an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to grow.