Now Hiring / Development and Communications Director
Overview
ISLAND seeks a Development and Communications Director (DCD) to support our transition from energetic start-up to stable and sustainable maturity.
The DCD will refine and implement a fund development strategy that includes mail campaigns, special events, sponsorships, earned income and grants of many kinds. The DCD will also provide technical and research support to help the founders attract major donors. The DCD will also plan, coordinate and implement a communication plan to media and the public.
This position will enjoy close support from the founders, board and other staff of ISLAND.
Hours and Location
40 hours/week including some evening and weekend work. The DCD will primarily work remotely (as do all ISLAND staff) with a high level of autonomy and equally high levels of expectation. Our service area runs the Michigan coasts from Manistee to Mackinac, with major areas of impact centered in Bellaire, Traverse City and Petoskey. The DCD can live anywhere in this region, though a central location is advantageous. Travel throughout the region is a regular requirement of the position. Similarly, excellent telecommuting skills are required, including texting, email, phone, Basecamp, social media and other internet communication technologies.
Major Responsibilities: Fund Development
Implement and improve two key fund drives: a year end letter and a summer matching gift campaign. The DCD will create the timelines and strategies, and will implement the day to day logistics of the campaign.
Implement ISLAND’s first crowdfunding campaign.
Support major donor development through SalesForce database management, donor research and moves management.
Write 10-15 grants each year, including both one page requests to family foundations and complex federal grants. The DCD will also write letters of inquiry to new granting organizations.
Manage and report on grants received.
Coordinate with ISLAND’s Events Coordinator to integrate special events (currently, the annual benefit concert and the annual garlic auction) into a larger fund development strategy.
Coordinate among ISLAND staff and board to integrate other income streams (sponsorships and earned income in particular) into a comprehensive fund development campaign.
Plan and implement future capital and donor-directed fund campaigns.
Major Responsibilities: Communications
Create an annual report and other specific program reports as needed.
Generate positive press on a regular basis in local and national publications.
Maintain and improve the ISLAND website and generate regular excellent content for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Serve as the voice of ISLAND by reviewing and editing all external communications, including poster content, website content, event descriptions and MailChimp alerts to a refined and consistent tone.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrated capacity in raising funds through both grant writing and individual gifts
A working knowledge of the partners, donors and influencers in our region
A working knowledge of the major themes in sustainable agriculture, environmental concern and the arts at a local, state and national level
Outstanding writing skills
Flawless attention to detail and impeccable personal organization skills
Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Self-motivated and professional demeanor
Expertise in Google Drive, MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint, email, Mac OS
Working knowledge of DropBox, PayPal, Facebook groups, Twitter, Instagram, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Bonus points for:
Experience with BaseCamp, Square, Adobe Illustrator, Squarespace
Experience running a crowd-funding campaign in Kickstarter or Indiegogo
Outstanding photography skills
Outstanding design skills
Experience with MyNorth Ticketing
A working knowledge of artist residency programs
Experience running successful development campaigns in our region
Compensation and benefits
Starting wage is $20 per hour, negotiable.
Paid days off, holiday pay and 401k are available after six months of employment.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit the following application materials via email to Amanda Kik, Co-Director, at amanda@artmeetsearth.org:
An exceptional one page cover letter
A resume tailored to this position
List of professional references
This position will remain open until filled by the right candidate.