Director of Development

Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce; Center (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) in Mystic, CT is seeking an experienced Director of Development to lead fundraising and advancement efforts. You will report to the Executive Director and work with the senior team to grow resources for mission impact and sustainability.

This full-time role covers grants, corporate sponsorships, major gifts, annual giving, special events, and donor relations, with a collaborative, strategic approach to development.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of professional development/fundraising experience.
• Experience with donor relations, fundraising research, writing, and solicitation.
• Ability to raise funds through multiple channels including donor relations, direct mail, grants, sponsorships, and major gifts.
• Excellent written and oral communication; persuasive fundraising materials.
• Strong relationship-building with donors, volunteers, board, staff, and partners.
• Self-directed, energetic, collaborative, and able to work independently.
• Experience using fundraising and donor database software.
• Commitment to DPNC’s mission and conservation focus.

Responsibilities

• Grants, corporate support & sponsorships: identify needs, lead submissions, manage sponsorship program, build relations with foundations and partners.
• Major gifts & donor relations: identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors; develop moves management with the Executive Director and Advancement Committee.
• Advancement & development strategy: develop multi-year plans; monitor fundraising activities and report results.
• Appeals & annual fundraising: plan, budget, write appeals, coordinate communications and donor stewardship.
• Special events: lead fundraising events including Green Tie Gala; set budgets and goals; coordinate with staff and volunteers.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Strategic thinking

Time management

Tools

Blackbaud Altru

Job description

The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) is a nonprofit nature center located in Mystic, Connecticut. For more than 80 years, DPNC has connected people with the natural world through environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation, habitat conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community programs.

DPNC is entering an exciting period of growth and organizational development, guided by a three-year strategic plan focused on growing programmatic impact, improving facilities and infrastructure, and building organizational sustainability.

DPNC is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and strategic Director of Development to lead the organization’s fundraising and advancement efforts. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the senior management team and Advancement Committee, the Director of Development will play a central role in building the resources needed to support DPNC’s mission and future growth.

This is a full-time position with overall responsibility for DPNC’s development program, including corporate and foundation support, donor stewardship, annual giving, direct mail, grants, government funding, sponsorships, major gifts, and special fundraising events, including the annual Green Tie Gala.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished fundraiser and relationship-builder who enjoys both developing strategy and hands-on work. This person will have the opportunity to build on an established development program while helping DPNC expand its fundraising capacity and deepen relationships with donors, members, foundations, corporations, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

Grants, Corporate Support & Sponsorships

• Work with program and administrative staff to identify organizational needs and opportunities that require grant funding.
• Lead or assist with the preparation, submission, tracking, and reporting of foundation, corporate, and government grants.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive corporate sponsorship program, including identifying opportunities, establishing sponsorship levels, cultivating prospects, and securing support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with foundations, corporations, and community partners.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and major gift prospects.
• Work with the Advancement Committee and Executive Director to develop and strengthen DPNC’s moves management program.
• Build meaningful, long-term relationships with donors and members.
• Ensure timely and thoughtful donor stewardship, including acknowledgment letters, special mailings, phone calls, meetings, and other personal communications.
• Work to ensure the membership and donor database is accurate and up to date and that gifts are processed and acknowledged promptly.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding donor and financial information.

Advancement & Development Strategy

• Develop and oversee an effective annual and multi-year development plan in collaboration with the Executive Director, Advancement Committee, and senior leadership.
• Implement development strategies and budgets to meet annual fundraising goals and support DPNC’s long-term sustainability.
• Provide strategic fundraising advice and recommendations to the Executive Director and program teams.
• Monitor advancement activities and participate in relationship building, content development, follow-up, and reporting.
• Analyze fundraising results and provide timely, accurate reports and recommendations to the Executive Director and appropriate board committees.
• Work closely with the Advancement Committee and Board members to strengthen fundraising efforts and community engagement.

Appeals & Annual Fundraising

• Plan, schedule, and budget for annual appeals and other member and donor communications.
• Write and coordinate fundraising appeals, stewardship communications, annual reports, and related materials.
• Develop strategies to increase donor retention, acquisition, and annual giving.
• Coordinate fundraising communications across print, email, and other channels.

Special Events

• Provide leadership for fundraising events, including DPNC’s annual Green Tie Gala and other development-related events.
• Develop event fundraising strategies, sponsorship opportunities, budgets, and goals.
• Work with staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners to ensure successful events.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 5 years of professional development/fundraising experience, including demonstrated experience with donor relations, fundraising research, writing, and solicitation.
• Proven ability to successfully raise funds through multiple channels, including individual giving, direct mail, grants, sponsorships, and major gifts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to make compelling presentations and write persuasive fundraising materials.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with donors, volunteers, board members, staff, and community partners.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Self-directed, energetic, collaborative, and able to work independently.
• Ability to learn and effectively use fundraising and donor database software.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality regarding donor and financial information.
• Demonstrated commitment to DPNC’s mission and to connecting people with and protecting the natural world.

Preferred

• Experience with Blackbaud Altru or similar fundraising/membership database software.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, environmental, conservation, education, or cultural organization.
• Experience with major gifts, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and/or government funding.
• Experience managing fundraising events.