Donor Development Director

Dogwood Alliance is a growing regional network, comprised of 72 grassroots organizations in 17 states, whose mission is to protect Southern forests and communities by engendering broad-based, diverse support for eliminating unsustainable industrial forestry practices. Southern activists formed Dogwood Alliance in November 1996, to mobilize grassroots organizations and citizens to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, local economies, and quality of life.

Since our founding, Dogwood Alliance has emerged as the regions leading group using market-based strategies to address the destruction caused by multi-national paper companies, such as International Paper, Georgia Pacific and Bowater.

Duties:

• This is a full-time position based in Asheville, North Carolina, which reports to the Executive Director.
• The start date is January 1, 2004
• Coordinate Dogwood Alliances major donor program 
• Travel frequently to meet with major donors to introduce them to Dogwood Alliance, thank them for past support and/or ask for a contribution 
• Work with the Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff to renew and/or upgrade the support of current major donors 
• Upgrade current members into major donors 
• Identify prospective new major donors and state/local family foundations 
• Work with members of the Board of Directors to host house parties 
• Communicate regularly with major donors and provide member services for major donors 
• Organize Dogwood Alliances annual membership meeting
• Participate in other organizational building duties required of all staff
• Targets: to double the income generated by Dogwood Alliances major donor program 
• Projected 2004 total budget is $360,000, which includes all fundraising strategies

Qualifications

• A passion for protecting Southern forests and communities
• At least three years experience either in environmental organizing or fundraising 
• Exceptional oral communication, writing and research skills
• Very strong ability to organize tasks and to encourage others to meet goals and deadlines
• The ideal candidate will have experience with raising major gifts from Southern donors for a forest protection organization.
• Candidates who have experience working with environmental groups and can demonstrate how past experience and skills translate to major gifts fundraising should apply.
• Candidates with strong fundraising experience in any capacity should apply.

Terms:

$31,000 annual salary with yearly cost of living increase and potential merit based salary increases annually.

Excellent benefits include: 15 days of vacation (increases to 25 days after four years with Dogwood Alliance), 10 personal days, 12 holidays including a birthday holiday, opportunity for four months of sabbatical at half pay (after working with DA for five years), one "half day hike" every other week, five days of "inspiration vacation" to keep you committed to working with Dogwood Alliance and in non-profit environmental work, opportunities to attend trainings and/or coaching to improve your job performance, health insurance and pension plan with employer match.

Application Instructions:
Please email a cover letter, rsum and three references (name, telephone number and e-mail address