Montana Conservation Voters, Development Director (posted 8/6/2009)

Montana Conservation Voters and MCV Education Fund

Development Director Job Description

July, 2009

Montana Conservation Voters (MCV), a 10 year old non-partisan, grassroots organization, protects Montana’s air, land and water by working to elect conservationists to public office. With a home office in Billings and field offices in Missoula and Bozeman, MCV shines a spotlight on the votes and actions of elected officials affecting conservation and the environment. Its sister group, MCV Education Fund, provides research, organizing and public education to foster citizen participation in government on behalf of the environment.

The groups seek a full time Development Director to coordinate its major donor gifts campaign and membership recruitment and renewal program. The Development Director works with MCV’s dynamic staff team and statewide Board of Directors, and is based in Billings. Montana Conservation Voters provides an excellent orientation and staff development program, a competitive salary and generous benefits. The position is available immediately.

Responsibilities:

General Tasks – 10 percent

• Motivate and: provide direct fundraising support to the Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff.

• Implement MCV and MCVEF development plans with the Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff, and assist in plan formulation.
  
• Participate in staff meetings, board and membership meetings as needed.
  

Major Donors – 50 percent

• Implement an annual major donor gifts program including:

     * Building and maintaining relationships with major donors using personal gift acknowledgment protocols and reporting to donors regularly on how gifts have made a clear difference; 

     * Designing and preparing necessary fundraising materials to launch and implement an annual major gifts campaign;

    * Researching prospects and identifying new major donors to achieve fundraising goals;

•  Planning and carrying out major donor meetings, and, as needed, donor events, with Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff.
  
• Coordinate computer-based record keeping on all donors and prospective donors and review and analyze donation information.
  
• Assist Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff to solicit major donor gifts by building relationships with, training and motivating Board members and staff to perform agreed-upon fundraising tasks and maintaining ongoing communications with them throughout the year.
  

Membership Development – 25 percent

• Develop and implement a membership expansion program using direct mail appeals, email appeals, personalized mailings, social networking sites and other tools, involving the Board of Directors and staff as needed.
  
• Direct and expand MCV’s Conservation Circle monthly giving program.
  
• Ensure updated thank you notes and membership acknowledgment protocols including receipts and materials to new and renewing members.
  
• Prepare timely and compelling membership renewal notices, coordinate renewal mailings and emails, and ensure accurate renewal lists.
  
• Direct MCV’s membership recruitment and renewal calling program.
  

Grantmaking – 15 percent

• Work in conjunction with the Executive Director to conduct grant research and inquiries.
  
• Assist in preparing proposals and foundation reports as necessary.
  

Qualifications:

The ideal applicant should have the qualifications listed below:

• A commitment to the mission and purpose of Montana Conservation Voters and MCV Education Fund;
  

• College or university graduate;
  

• Strong, demonstrated verbal and written communication skills;
  

• Previous experience (minimum of three years) soliciting major gifts, working with boards, staff and volunteers;
  

• Experience developing and implementing a membership or small donor program;
  

• Experience planning and implementing events;
  

• Knowledge of Montana’s conservation and environmental community;
  

• Grantmaking experience is helpful but not required.
  

Compensation:

Montana Conservation Voters offers a competitive salary, ($30,000 - $50,000 annually, depending on experience) and excellent benefits.

To apply:

Send resume’, three references and two writing samples to:

Montana Conservation Voters, Box 63, Billings, MT 59103.

phone 406.254.1593 

email tkeaveny@mtvoters.org

Application deadline August 25, 2009.

The position will remain open until filled by a qualified applicant. Visit www.mtvoters.org for information. Montana Conservation Voters is an equal opportunity employer.