Development Director

Overview

Catskill Mountainkeeper Seeks Development Director

Catskill Mountainkeeper, a regional environmental advocacy organization, is actively seeking a dynamic, strategic, and experienced professional with a proven track record in cultivating donor engagement and philanthropic support to serve as our Development Director. We encourage
applications from a diverse range of candidates, including people of color, people with disabilities, women, non-binary individuals, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

About the Organization
Catskill Mountainkeeper’s mission is to protect our region’s forests and wild lands; safeguard air and water; nurture healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities; empower environmental justice communities; and accelerate the transition to a 100% clean and just energy future in New York State
and beyond. Established in 2006, Catskill Mountainkeeper is the strongest advocate for the Catskill Region. Working with a network of concerned citizens and strategic partners, Mountainkeeper’s programs protect and promote our region’s extraordinary natural heritage, while promoting smart development
that supports local communities and grows our economy in a sustainable way.

Over the past decade and a half, we have worked to protect our region’s pristine wild areas and open spaces from threats ranging from fracking to outsized development projects to the invasion of dirty and dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure, supporting farmers, and standing behind local businesses to support local communities and to build a stronger sustainable economic future. Based in beautiful Hurleyville, NY, our dedicated team operates in a mixture of office-based, hybrid, and remote work settings.|

Position Overview
The Development Director, reporting to the Executive Director, will collaborate with the Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Catskill Mountainkeeper Board and Fundraising Committees to coordinate all fundraising efforts to satisfy a current annual operating budget of approximately $1
million. This central role requires experience in building and maintaining fruitful relationships with major donors, prospects, foundations, board members, and program staff.

Responsibilities
Strategy

● Develop and implement a strategy to sustain and grow annual revenues from foundations, major donors, and small individual donors.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director and staff and board to set and meet annual revenue goals and ensure successful fundraising and strategic growth.
● Maintain existing and develop new donor relationships, including with foundation officers.
● Coach and support staff and board members in fundraising engagement.
● Prepare regular reports for senior leadership and board on fundraising activities.
● Engage in organization-wide strategic planning, and help to ensure that our development goals are integrated seamlessly in the organization’s program goals.
● In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer, maintain foundation and donor records.
● Represent Mountainkeeper to major stakeholders and potential funders, when necessary.

Events
● Coordinate both fundraising events, including annual dinners in the Spring and Fall.
● Organize periodic foundation and donor briefings.

Foundation and Institutional Giving
● Develop prospecting lists and opportunities to grow Mountainkeeper’s base of foundation supporters and work to develop potential opportunities for state or federal funding.
● Prepare and submit letters of intent, grant proposals, and reports.

Individual Donors
● Cultivate and maintain relationships to increase giving from individuals, both small and major donors.
● Draft and send appeals, donor updates, and other fundraising asks.
● Engage and manage Mountainkeeper’s Keepers network–a top-tier network of generous supporters committed to Mountainkeeper and our fundraising efforts.

Qualifications
● Enthusiastic support for Mountainkeeper’s values and mission: a commitment to protecting and supporting the Catskills Park and Region; strong clean air, clean water, and public health policies that put people first; commitment to social, economic, racial, and climate justice.
● An established track record of success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and organizational development with environmental, social and racial justice, or climate organizations.
● Experience creating a strategic plan for development, with individual and foundation donor solicitations, and online fundraising.
● Creative, energetic, self-motivated and well organized.

● Excellent writing, interpersonal, oral communication skills.
● Commitment to ethical fundraising and handling confidential information with integrity, diplomacy, and sensitivity.
● Strong preference for a New York State resident and familiarity with the Catskill region.
● Experience working with communities impacted by climate change, racial injustice, and economic inequality is a plus.

Employment Type
This is a full-time exempt salaried position. The position can be based in our Hurleyville, NY office, hybrid, or remote.

Salary and Benefits
● The salary range for this position is $75,000 – $100,000 based on experience and organizational fit.
● For staff working over 30 hours per week, Mountainkeeper provides 100% individual health and dental insurance and 80% of costs for family coverage, along with a generous paid time off, family leave, and holiday leave.

To apply
To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to info@catskillmountainkeeper.org with “Development Director” in the subject line. Please apply by 4/25/24.
Mountainkeeper is committed to equity, inclusion and justice. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the values we fight for in the world. People of color, people with disabilities, women, non-binary, and LGBTQ people are especially encouraged to apply.