As a member of Audubon’s national Development team and imbedded within the Pacific Flyway (California, Washington, and Alaska) team in the San Francisco office; the Development Manager will play an important role in the success of the fund development programs in California, Washington and Alaska. Reporting to the Vice President of Development of the Pacific Flyway, the Development Manager leads the development and expansion of the mid-level donor program supporting the states in the Pacific Flyway. Gifts at this level serve as both a source of critical unrestricted revenue and also as a pipeline for major and planned giving. Additionally, the Development Manager supports the Vice President for Development and Major Gifts team in California, Washington, and Alaska.
The Development Manager will build and manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects capable of giving in the range of $500-$9,999 annually as well as Grinnell Society members, which entails ongoing stewardship of donors who have included Audubon in their estate plans. S/he will be tasked with engaging assigned donors/prospects with the goal of moving them toward increased investment while also working to identify and engage new donors in this gift range. S/he directly and indirectly identifies, cultivates, and solicits gifts using a range of activities, including personal visits, written proposals, telephone, email, appeals, events, and tours.
Key metrics for success will include donor engagement (number of meetings, calls, correspondence with donors/prospects) and revenue (value of gifts, number of solicitations, and success rate of solicitations).
This position represents Audubon to the public throughout the region; collaborates with other like-minded organizations; and interacts with a broad array of members, donors, prospective donors, other Audubon staff, local Audubon chapters, and volunteers.
- Build and manages an active portfolio of 150 mid-level individual donors/prospects, with the opportunity to develop and manage major donors. Creates and implements personalized cultivation/solicitation/stewardship plans for each donor within portfolio.
- Effectively partners with colleagues to ensure that assigned donors/prospects have an optimal level of interaction with volunteers, leadership, and program staff.
- Develops strategies for attracting new and diverse mid-level donors and proactively forges relationships with individuals who are not yet invested in the organization.
- Helps organize and engages prospects and donors in special events, tours, and field trips.
- Prepares with attention to detail and ensures timely delivery of written materials (print and online) to current and prospective donors, including, but not limited to, cases for support, grant applications, letters, proposals, stewardship reports.
- Regularly reviews portfolio and donor strategies with other development team members to refine approaches, share successes, and problem solve.
- Supports the planning, execution, and follow up associated with fundraising and friend-raising events, leveraging them as a tool for the cultivation of prospects and donors.
- In partnership with the development communications team, supports the coordination of regular appeals and other development communications in California.
- Participates in development team calls, shares work plans across teams, and enlists key staff as partners in cultivation visits, when appropriate.
- Supports the Vice President for Development and Major Gifts team in California, Washington, and Alaska in building and maintaining major gift portfolios, including requesting and developing research, briefing memos, and reports.
- Attends team meetings and training opportunities in order to interact with leaders and development colleagues across Audubon. Participates in external skills building opportunities.
- Using donor database, records timely reports on all donor interactions.
- As an ‘out the door’ client-facing fundraiser, travels (~25% percent of time) throughout California to engage prospects and donors.
- Experience building donor relationships and closing a high volume of annual gifts.
- Understanding of basic fundraising principals, best practices and procedures including moves management and effective fundraising pipeline development.
- Must be comfortable and productive in a fast-paced and results oriented environment.
- An autonomous self-starter, one who is able to manage projects, establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility, and meet deadlines with little direct supervision.
- Exceptionally strong communicator; a strategic thinker with analytical skills, and strong attention to detail.
- Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills.
- A can-do attitude and tolerant, friendly personality with a great sense of humor.
- A flexible approach to work, as well as the willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, when needed.
- Travel throughout California is expected (25% percent of time).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, as well as comfort with donor databases. Experience with Salesforce desired, but not required.
- Interest, understanding, and commitment to the conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat is critical, as is the ability to communicate Audubon's mission, goals, and programs effectively and with the highest professional standards.