SC- Director of Development (5.9.2011)

About the Organization:

Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) is a non-partisan statewide non-profit organization dedicated to protecting South Carolina’s environment through advocacy and direct political action. CVSC lobbies for better environmental policies, holds South Carolina legislators accountable for their decisions and seeks to make conservation a priority for South Carolina’s elected officials, candidates, and voters. CVSC works to increase the political power of South Carolina’s conservation community, helping to elect candidates to legislative and statewide office who are committed to a safe, clean and healthy South Carolina. Our sister organization, CVSC Education Fund, works to maximize the participation of conservation-minded citizens in public policy decisions.

About the Director of Development:

CVSC seeks a highly motivated person with a variety of fundraising or organizational building experience to plan and execute an ambitious fundraising plan to build organizational capacity. The successful candidate is a creative self-starter with excellent written and oral communications skills and with demonstrated experience initiating projects and advancing them successfully.  

Specific Responsibilities:

• Reports to and works closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement all fundraising activities, including membership and major donor development, corporate sponsor solicitation, grant writing and foundation cultivation, board outreach and event planning.
• Planning: produces, implements and evaluates a multi-year fundraising plan. 
• Membership Development: works closely with Office Manager to sustain and grow small donor membership and maintain database with robust and accurate information.  Includes renewal and prospect mailings and Internet strategies.
• Major Donor Program: includes donor research, cultivation, script development, visit set-up and management, face-to-face and phone solicitations, and coordinating board and staff visits and outreach. May also include working with national LCV staff or other state league staff on joint donor strategies.
• External Communications: works closely with Legislative and Program Directors to create and distribute external communications including press releases, email messages, action alerts and member updates, newsletter articles, facebook and twitter posts and website updates.
• Sponsorship and Event Management:Coordinates external fundraising and membership events, including the annual Green Tie Luncheon, legislative and election events and regional house parties.  Includes soliciting sponsorships and product donation and coordinating contract labor, graphic designers, printers, caterers, rental companies and location staff.
• PAC and Candidate Support: Coordinates bundling for candidates, when appropriate, and solicits contributions to the PAC. May include managing call time with candidates to CVSC major donors and creating Independent Expenditure Campaign communications.  

Experience/Qualifications:

Applicants should have demonstrated success in organizational capacity building or marketing and familiarity with fundraising best practices. Requirements include: commitment to the missions of CVSC and CVSCEF; excellent interpersonal, verbal, written communications and technology skills; interest in conservation issues and politics; good organization, follow-through and attention to detail.  Previous Internet-based database and major donor fundraising experience preferred as well as a willingness to travel throughout the state.

Salary/Benefits: Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include health and dental insurance and an IRA retirement plan. 

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: Ann Timberlake, Executive Director

Conservation Voters of South Carolina                       PO Box 50632, Columbia, SC 29250. 

Email applications accepted at ann@conservationvotersofsc.org.  

This position is open until filled. CVSC is an equal opportunity employer.