Strategic Advancement Director, Fundraising & Engagement

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust; Damariscotta (ME); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (vision & dental)

SIMPLE IRA 3% match

YMCA membership

Discount on summer camp

Paid holidays, sick time, vacation

Professional development

Flexible scheduling

Interim housing may be available

Job summary

The Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is seeking an Advancement Director to guide fundraising, membership, and communications in support of its strategic framework for 2026-2030. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will lead a cross-functional team to diversify and grow philanthropic support and deepen donor engagement in the Damariscotta region.

With 10+ years in nonprofit development and a track record of major gifts and campaigns, you will shape strategy, oversee budget and systems, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development and communications, including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts, and setting and meeting fundraising goals.
• Experience planning and leading a capital or comprehensive campaign, from planning through execution.
• Experience developing social media campaigns aimed toward fundraising.
• Experience managing and developing staff, with strong coaching and delegation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and project management skills, with the ability to integrate multiple functions toward shared goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and comfort representing the organization to donors, board members, and the public.
• Experience with donor CRM databases; familiarity with membership and communications systems a plus
• Genuine commitment to Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust's vision, mission, and values, including welcoming participation, ethical and transparent practices, and caring for people and place
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, and to build trust with the Executive Director, Board, staff, and volunteers

Responsibilities

• Direct the organization's fundraising strategy, integrating annual giving, membership, major and planned gifts, events, and grants into a cohesive advancement plan.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major and principal gift donors.
• Lead planning and execution of capital or comprehensive campaigns with ED and Board, including strategy, timelines, and volunteer structure.
• Translate strategic priorities into fundable initiatives and multi-year revenue strategies.
• Set annual and multi-year fundraising and membership goals and monitor progress against benchmarks.
• Oversee Development Manager's oversight of database, gift processing, mid-level donor cultivation, events, and institutional giving.
• Guide Planned Giving in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Provide leadership in donor engagement and organizational communications alignment.

Skills

Major gifts

Campaign management

Donor relations

Strategic fundraising

Team leadership

Communications

Tools

Donor CRM

Job description

The Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is seeking an Advancement Director to guide fundraising, membership, and communications in support of its strategic framework for 2026-2030. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will lead a cross-functional team to diversify and grow philanthropic support and deepen donor engagement in the Damariscotta region.

With 10+ years in nonprofit development and a track record of major gifts and campaigns, you will shape strategy, oversee budget and systems, and