Development Director

Position Summary

The Wausau Botanic Gardens seeks a full-time development director responsible for designing and implementing the organization's fundraising efforts. The director will develop systems, research prospects, and 'set the table' for the Executive Director to cultivate prospects, steward donors, and close gifts. The director will also work as a staff liaison with the Board to ensure that the Board has tools and training and is fully engaged in raising needed funds. The director will hire and manage the Development team, including the Member and visitor Services Manager and Visitor Services Associate.

This role involves organizing large-scale fundraising initiatives, working with Board members, managing the annual fund, and building relationships with donors, staff, and volunteers. The development director will also implement major fundraising strategies for giving and planning fundraising.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership

• Develop and implement strategies to grow the annual fund and membership programs, including funds raised through individual and institutional gifts, special events, and sponsorships.

• Annually create goals, objectives, and outcomes for development and periodically review these goals, objectives, and results.

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and support board members as they take on a more active fundraising role.

• Develop a team to execute fundraising plans.

Administrative & Infrastructure

• Implement CRM system.

• Recruit, train and manage volunteers involved w/ development activities (peer-to-peer fundraising, campaigns, etc.)

• Develop, manage, and implement all direct fundraising mailings, annual reports, and thank you letters.

• Oversee the planning and execution of donor and fundraising activities or events.

• Provide fundraising/donor reports as needed.

• Recruit and staff volunteer leadership that focuses on growing the annual fund and membership and special fundraising events, reviewing fundraising policies and overseeing the Board giving campaign.

• Working with the team, evaluate, grow, and manage the membership program and annual fund through various fundraising strategies. Oversee fulfillment of member benefits.

• Implement a planned giving program.

• Stay on top of fundraising trends and the nonprofit community.

External

• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors and prospects, including individuals, corporations, governments, and foundations.

• Work with the Development and Marketing teams to develop, manage, and implement all marketing materials associated with development, including but not limited to brochures, websites, social media, press releases, and email campaigns.

• Work with the Executive Director to identify and arrange logistics for speaking opportunities with high fundraising potential.

• Research funding sources and trends with the foresight to help position the Gardens ahead of significant changes in the fundraising landscape.

• Identify potential major donors and coordinate requests with the Executive Director.

• Participate in developing any capital campaign by working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Campaign Committee, and consultants as needed.

• Work with the Program Director to position and execute events to advance the the Gardens' mission, strategic goals, and revenue goals and build longer-term loyalty and support. Increase event revenues through corporate sponsorships and audience cultivation.

• Participate in local associations of development professionals and network with community/business leaders.

Other Duties

• Willingness to assume other duties that may be assigned

• Occasional travel is required to meet with foundations, corporations, and major donors.

• Occasional travel is required in support of special event planning and management.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor's Degree

• A CFRE or Development certificate is preferred.

• Hands-on individual with 5+ years of broad-based experience

• Experience managing and implementing fundraising programs.

• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

• A combination of the following qualities: good time management, flexibility with job duties, creative, self-starter, organized, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, loves to build systems to keep track of information, and an excellent memory for details.

• Fundraising software and tools experience (or willingness to learn).

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate/collaborate with other management staff, board, committee members, volunteers, and consultants to achieve outstanding results for the Gardens.

• Experience managing a team.

• Ability to build rapport (in person or on the phone) with donors, members, volunteers, and the public with diplomacy, discretion, and customer service focus.

• Proficiency in Gmail, Google Drive, WORD, EXCEL, Slack, Mailchimp, social media

• Knowledge of the North Central Wisconsin Philanthropic community is a plus