Fundraising and Communications Associate

Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) seeks to hire a Fundraising and Communications Associate. Founded in 1987 as a nonprofit land trust, RLT’s mission is to conserve the open spaces, watersheds, and natural habitats of Rensselaer County, NY for the benefit of our communities and future generations. RLT is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission.

We are a small land trust with a combined 1,964 acres in ownership or under easement. A current, significant project is protecting the water quality of the Tomhannock Reservoir and its tributaries.
We have received major funding for this work from the NYS Department of Environmental Protection through a $1.5M grant from their Water Quality Improvement Program. The Tomhannock and its watershed are the source of drinking water for 135,000+ Capital Region residents.

We currently maintain six (6) public nature preserves, the Hoosic River Kayak and Canoe Launch, and a trailhead and 6.5-mile section of the Albany Hudson Electric Trail. In April 2023, we will hold our 15th annual Tomhannock Reservoir Shore Line Clean Up in honor of Earth Day. We are historically known
for our public outings program.

Additionally, we work with willing land owners to transfer their property, or the development rights on their property, through conservation easements in order to protect natural resources and expand public recreational opportunities.

Essential Functions

Database Maintenance Management (20%)

• Manage, maintain and execute all activity on the CRM (Little Green Light) including creating new constituents, including donation, cultivation and stewardship information; developing queries, exports and reports, and conduction gift entry and processing gift acknowledgement in a timely fashion.
• Ensure the integrity of the department’s data including verifying/updating incomplete or bad addresses, removing duplicates, etc.
• Develop written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the development database including constituents, gift entry, gift/pledge acknowledgement and communications. Maintain, improve and ensure compliance with SOP’s.
• Develop online giving and event payment opportunities for online giving platforms, ensure secure, timely and accurate entry of credit card transactions, pledge/pledge payment, and event payment/registrations.
• Manage all data queries for direct mail response, e-appeals, and events.
• Consistently strive to maximize the use of LGL features, and connectivity to Mail Chimp. and provide gift and pledge data/batch reports to Treasurer in timely fashion for Quickbooks. Work closely with Treasurer to reconcile financials.

Direct Mail Fundraising and Donor Response (35%)

• Responsible for development coordination of the RLT direct mail fundraising and response program plan including:
  • Identifying and drafting compelling stories of land conservation, water quality protection, donors, preserve patrons, and volunteer engagement.
  • Ensure annual direct mail and response plan and calendar is strategically aligned with events and organization-wide communications.
  • Working collaboratively with staff, board and volunteers to develop and share true stories of RLT projects and successes.
  • Track progress and monitor results of direct mail program as compared to annual goals, and prior year performance, adapt as needed, and produce reports of results.
  • Assist with special fundraising campaigns as needed and requested.

Marketing and Communications (25%)

• Create and execute an annual marketing and communications plan and calendar designed to promote RLT through digital, social, and traditional medias.
• Prepare and deliver two (2) Activities letters per year and bi-monthly e-news to all constituents.
• Create and post social media content. Respond to inquiries and direct information shared by constituents to leadership and colleagues as appropriate.
• Maintain and update RLT webpage including drafting of content and posting of related images. Ensure accurate and timely content updates. Serve as liaison to web support contractor and/hosting firm.

Events (15%)

• With support from the Executive Director, responsible for planning, managing, and the execution of all RLT events including annual meeting, income-producing benefit events, donor cultivation and stewardship events, which may be digital/on-line, in-person or a hybrid.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with vendors and event venues.
• Create and produce all event-related materials (print and digital) with assistance of freelance graphic designers with oversight form the Executive Director.
• Lead and support volunteers in event roles and establish/develop relationships to further volunteer opportunities at events.
• Prepare yearly event calendar and logistical timelines for each event. Integrate event calendar with the marketing and fundraising calendar of activities including newsletters (digital and traditional), and solicitation mailings.
• Manage event-related platforms for registrations, payments. etc. and ensure functionality and integration with LGL.

Administration (5%)

• Meet regularly with Executive Director to ensure fundraising and communications program is meeting its goals and supporting RLT’s greatest needs. Communicate issues, challenges, and successes outside of regular meetings as appropriate.
• Assist and support corporate sponsorship campaigns and grant application processes.
• Utilize and develop program volunteers as appropriate.
• Maintain a cataloged digital library of conservation, stewardship, event images/photographs by taking photos and gathering from colleagues and volunteers
• Develop, implement and follow all departmental SOP’s.
• Create goal tracking and gift income analysis reports utilizing LGL for program purposes and to meet the needs of organization.
• Provide support to LTA accreditation process as needed and requested. (Occurs once every 5-years.)
• Support the positions and policies of RLT.

Position Specifications

• 2+ years of successful, nonprofit, development experience required; college degree preferred.
• Comfort with technology for marketing and social media is essential;
• Ability to solve problems, work independently and as a part of a team is vital;
• Proficiency and accuracy in database work including data entry, queries, segmenting, reporting, etc. – experience working in Little Green Light or similar CRM software is highly desirable;
• Proficiency and experience with digital tools such as Canva, Joomla/Wix, and MailChimp/Constant Contact needed;
• Excellent project management skills: ability to organize, determine priorities, and follow through promptly; ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet timelines and deadlines;
• Exemplary oral and written communications and story-telling skills;
• Prior experience planning and executing successful events;
• Professional and engaging customer service on the phone, in electronic communications, and in person; ease in initiating contacts with other individuals and groups;
• High level of discretion and ethical approach to all aspects of the work;
• Passion for RLT’s mission of water quality protection, land conservation and stewardship; and
• A commitment to excellent service to our many constituent groups.

Note:  Full job description can be found by clicking HERE.

To Apply

• Please clicjk "Apply" below to email application materials. Please include a cover letter, resume, and three professional references including name, title, company, email address or phone number with all applications.
• Applications will be reviewed immediately and qualified candidates of interest will be contacted for interviews.

RLT is an equal opportunity employer.