Job Title: Development/Engagement Manager
Reports To: Executive Director
Hours: $60,000 – $65,000 Annual Salary, Exempt
Mission and Purpose:
EarthLinks cultivates transformation and self-worth with people experiencing homelessness
and poverty. By creating opportunities through Earth-centered programs,
individuals step out of isolation and into community—restoring each other and
the planet. EarthLinks is a nonprofit experiential
educational organization that seeks to link people, particularly those who have
the experience of economic poverty and housing insecurity, with Earth and with
others, through shared experiences in the natural world. EarthLinks facilitates experiences that help people
whose lives are deeply affected by homelessness,
violence, addictions, mental health issues, and poverty, to strengthen
self-esteem and develop the trust that is necessary to make constructive life
changes.
Position Summary:
The Development/Engagement Manager reports to the Executive Director. The Development/Engagement Manager has a
highly collaborative role with the primary focus on fundraising through
external relationship cultivation. The Development/Engagement Manager is
responsible for managing relationships with a portfolio of funders, guiding the
grant proposal and report writing process, and initiating donor recruitment, as
well as supporting, retaining and stewarding donors to the organization. In
addition, this position is expected to initiate, maintain and participate in
efforts to engage with other nonprofits, community organizations, governmental
entities and others to extend their reach, and solicit donations for
EarthLinks. This is a role that is best suited for a person who loves to meet
people, and who can communicate the mission and impact of EarthLinks with
passion and clarity.
Responsibilities:
The following represents a non-exclusive list of assigned duties and responsibilities:
I. Donors, Grants and Events
1. Plans and manages all activities related to obtaining financial support for the
organization, with support from the Executive Director and other members of the
staff.
2. Establishes and meets annual funding goals from foundations, faith communities,
corporations, and other funding groups.
3. Responsible for stewarding funder relationships, hosting tours and providing personalized
updates. Oversees the CRM for EarthLinks and ensures all acknowledgements are
sent to donors, including compliance and communication of any Tax Credit or
other benefits allowed to donors.
4. Is responsible for end-of-year fundraising and donor stewardship.
5. Completes the writing and submission of grants and funding applications to foundations
and corporations. Manages the annual grants calendar, ensuring deadlines for
proposals and reports are met and communicates with other staff as necessary to
allow ample time for input and completion. Ensures that programs adhere to
restricted grant requirements and that all data needed for evaluation and grant
reporting are collected and provided in a timely manner for grant reports.
6. Researches and cultivates new funding opportunities.
7. Fosters relationships with key stakeholders and corporate partners to maintain their
engagement with the organization and to help discover further funding
opportunities through the existing EarthLinks’ network and others.
8. Works with program staff to identify fundraising needs that match the mission of
funding agencies.
9. Manages, plans and executes the production of EarthLinks’ fundraising events, including
corporate and institutional sponsorships.
II. Community Relations and Communications
1. Serves as an ambassador for the organization.
2. Establishes relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and
organizations, related to program coordination, collaboration, or other organizational
needs.
3. Plans, executes, and assists with community events.
4. Attends neighborhood and other community meetings to keep abreast of happenings in the
community and share EarthLinks’ perspective of situations in the community.
5. Oversees and works in collaboration with other staff, vendors and the Director of
Operations to create content and communications to expand the public’s
familiarity with EarthLinks, such as regular email and social media
communications.
6. Is responsible for all written and electronic communications soliciting donations,
invitations to events or other communications for the organization. This
includes 4-5 mailings each year, (stewardships and appeals), an annual
newsletter and invitations to various events held at EarthLinks such as
gatherings, holiday sales, plant sales and others. In print and electronically.
III. General Management
1. Assists and oversees program planning, implementation, and evaluation in collaboration
with the Executive Director and other members of the team.
2. Displays creativity and initiative in execution of community engagement efforts and the
development of organizational goals.
3. Participates in strategic planning, board committee meetings and board meetings as necessary.
4. Performs other duties as required.
Education and Experience
– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience preferred
– At least 3 years of successful experience with professional grant writing and communications
– At least one year of fundraising experience: stewardships, appeals, email campaigns, donor solicitation
– Experience researching and utilizing potential funding sources
– Experience communicating complex social issues and impact metrics
– Experience referencing research articles and periodicals
Skills and Competencies
– Excellentverbal and writing skills. English required. Bi-lingual a plus.
– Ability to work independently, with limited direction, in a fast-paced environment; must be a motivated self-starter
– Deep understanding of the roots and history of poverty and inequity in our communities
– Excellent industry knowledge across human services, nonprofits, and foundations
– Strong team builder and player
– A strong dedication to EarthLinks’ mission
– Commitment to work towards social justice and equity
– Deep commitment to environmental sustainability in all facets
– Evening and weekend work required
– Valid driver’s license
Requirements:
1. Position will require in office time and ability to meet local community members and others offsite.
2. Position requires individual to regularly lift 25# and occasionally lift 50#.
3. Position requires the ability to bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, walk, sit, grasp, stoop, crouch, twist and lift. Small motor movements are also regularly employed. Speaking and listening are required. English speaker required.
4. Working knowledge of CRM software, Microsoft Office Programs, especially Word, Excel, Teams, and Power Point required. Knowledge and regular use of the internet is required, including but not limited to email. Ability to use standard office machinery such as copier, printers and fax machine expected.