Development Director

Environmental Advocates of New York seeks applicants for a full-time Development Director who will oversee all fundraising activities, with an emphasis on individual giving. This is a senior-level position that reports directly to the Executive Director.

Environmental Advocates is the primary environmental government watchdog in Albany and a leading voice for conservation, the environment and public health in New York State. Environmental Advocates is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a staff of 12. It was founded over 40 years ago and its annual operating budget is approximately $1,000,000.  Environmental Advocates' office is in Albany.

Position Overview: 

The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on the cultivation and solicitation of major individual donors. A special events consultant will work with the Development Director on planning and organizing the organization's annual fundraising event in New York City.  A full-time Membership Director, who reports to the Development Director, oversees stewardship and fundraising from the organization's 5,000 members.  The Executive Director and Policy Director play the leading roles in foundation fundraising and will coordinate this work with the Development Director.

The position would require occasional travel to New York City on an as-needed basis.

New York City: 

This is where the vast majority of the organization's board and donor base reside so this is where activities will take place related to donor cultivation, representing the organization at events that the Executive Director is unable to attend, as well as setting up and attending donor meetings and cultivation opportunities with the Executive Director and board members.

Albany: 

Working onsite from time to time with staff and participating in the organization's programmatic and communications efforts is vital to effectively presenting Environmental Advocates' work to donors. The office and staff are in Albany. 

Revenues and Future Goals:

Giving from individuals makes up approximately 60 percent of total revenues for Environmental Advocates, depending on the year.  Foundation revenues constitute the rest of the overall budget of approximately $1 million.

The organization's individual major donor base is small but generous, comprising about 30 loyal donors, 30 board members and a much larger number of people who have supported Environmental Advocates' annual event.

Environmental Advocates seeks to double the number of major donors within 3 years and increase the overall organizational budget to at least $1.5 million in that same time period. 

Responsibilities:

Individual Giving from Major Donors and Members:

• Act as the primary manager of the organization's efforts to increase giving from donor capable of donating in excess of $1,000 per year;
• Work with the Executive Director and members of the Board to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of existing and prospective donors and assist in relationship-building activities;
• Work with the Membership Director and other staff to ensure that the fundraising database is maintained and used to maximum capacity for tracking and relationships, giving histories, communications with supporters;
• Ensure that efforts to build membership and major donor support are integrated and coordinated with one another;
• Prepare and present to the Board periodic reports on all fundraising activities; and
• Maintain and update a calendar of mailings for donor appeals, cultivation events, and other development activities.

Annual Advocate Awards and Other Special Events:

• Assist events consultant in the planning and coordination of the Advocates Awards, Environmental Advocates' annual event in New York City for approximately 300 people;
• Oversee the planning and execution of other smaller outreach events throughout the year that are aimed at current donors and prospective new donors to engage them in the work of Environmental Advocates and to forge lasting relationships.

Management and Coordination:

• Oversee all development activities aimed at individual donors, regardless of the level of donations;
• Supervise the efforts of a full-time Membership Director and ensure coordination between membership and Major Donor development efforts; and
• Coordinate development efforts with those of program and communications staff.

In addition to the specific responsibilities described above, the Development Director may be asked to take on other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

Qualifications: 

Skills/Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years senior-level experience in raising funds from individuals;
• Energetic, organized and excellent interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity with fundraising database software, such as DonorPerfect as well as Microsoft Office applications;
• Excellent oral and communication skills as well as an ability to translate the organization's policy work into language and messages helps donors appreciate and better understand our efforts; and
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Compensation: Up to $75,000 annually plus excellent health benefits, vacation and retirement savings (including an employer contribution).

To Apply: 

Contact Environmental Advocates' Search Consultant:

Donna Bonem Rich, CFRE
President
Rich Associates
2095 Broadway, Suite 504
New York, NY 10023