Director of Development

The Organic Center's mission is to generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society.

Position Overview: 

The Development Director will be responsible for developing and implementing the development strategy for The Organic Center and for achieving The Organic Center's fundraising goals each year.

Reports to Executive Director.

Fundraising and Development Responsibilities:

Must have demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, and will be responsible for planning and executing the annual major fundraising campaign as well as any other special campaigns.  Responsible for donor cultivation, proposal and grant writing, direct and electronic mail promotions, annual appeals, and other related tasks as assigned by the Executive Director or Board.

Management and Coordination:

Must be adaptable and able to manage multiple tasks and timelines under pressure, while coordinating daily development activities with long-term planning.  Must be experienced with grant and proposal writing, and possess excellent communication and organizational skills. 

To be successful, candidate must be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Excel, Power Point and Word programs and able to work with a fundraising database and software. 

Position requires the ability to work independently and within a team.  Will be required to attend all board meetings, events and selected committee meetings of the Board.

Forming and maintaining effective working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, industry groups, and current and potential donors is a must with this position.

Responsibilities:

• Cultivate and nurture relationships with current and potential corporate, foundation, and individual donors
• Create and implement annual development plan and strategy.
• Lead and manage The Organic Center's overall development efforts to raise an annual budget of 1 to 2 million dollars
• Establishes short- and long-range goals for funding sources. Orchestrate methods of approach to institutional donors.
• Lead staff to support fundraising and marketing efforts and train volunteers as necessary
• Manage donor income and budgets, working closely with the Financial Advisor
• Develop and sell sponsorships to events
• Researches public and private grant sources and locate and assist with writing grant proposals and reports to corporate sponsors and foundations
• Develop and grow The Organic Center's individual donor base; manage annual giving campaign; cultivate major gifts
• Develop and implement marketing and public relations strategy to increase individual donors
• Develop and manage Board fundraising capacity
• Manage our online giving program
• Ability to digest and communicate top line science findings to prospects

Qualifications:

Education & Other Requirements: 

• Bachelor's Degree in business, marketing, PR, nonprofit management or related field
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license
• Experience with a nonprofit, preferably in the area of agriculture, the environment or natural and organic products
• 3 to 4 years of development experience with demonstrated success in fundraising or in sales or related experience.  Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising; ability to see and understand the objectives of annual giving and to integrate goals with those objectives; ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and alter strategic advancement plans; ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals "buy into" the vision/mission/goals of The Organic Center

Qualifications:

• Proven track record of achieving revenue targets and/or a quota of over $1M annually
• Proven management and leadership capabilities
• High energy, positive, "can-do" attitude, flexibility, and attention to detail
• A skilled and supportive team player with the ability to build consensus and team work.
• High degree of initiative and enthusiasm about projects, tasks and the job in general
• Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically; thorough understanding of strategic development
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new sponsors
• Strong partnership-building and donor event planning skills
• Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base 
• Know how and when to delegate tasks to volunteers, contract workers, vendors, etc.
• Lead by example. Creating and living by standards for ethical behavior is crucial
• Demonstrate grace under pressure
• Problem solving skills to provide fresh thinking, solve vexing dilemmas, and capitalize on opportunities

Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Deadline: All applications must be submitted prior to March 9, 2010.

To Apply:

To apply to this position, please submit resume AND cover letter as one document to Julia Rogers. Must send salary history to be eligible.

The Organic Center
Attn: Julia Rogers
P.O Box 20513
Boulder, CO 80308