DESCRIPTION
Supporting Spark Northwest’s growth, the Development Director is responsible for planning and executing a full range of fundraising activities, including individual giving and donor management, events, and communications efforts. These activities are focused on Spark Northwest’s greatest areas for revenue growth, complemented by a strong base of earned income from program activities and partnerships. This position is .80 FTE with potential to increase to full time.
Founded in 2001, Spark Northwest (formerly Northwest SEED) accelerates the shift to clean energy one community at a time. Through renewable energy projects and policy reform, Spark Northwest’s programs make locally-controlled clean energy more accessible for all. Please visit sparknorthwest.org to learn more.
Diversity Statement: We value diversity! Persons of color, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Management
· Develop and execute an annual development plan to meet fundraising targets across major donor, individual giving, workplace giving, and corporate sponsorship categories
· Monitor fundraising results and report progress to staff and board
· Collaborate with staff to support budget development and revenue forecasting
· Evaluate fundraising success quantitatively and qualitatively, with the goal of creating consistent data-driven, donor-centric strategies
· Work with the Executive Director to build the board fundraising capacity. Support the Fundraising Strategy Committee by co-leading monthly meetings and attending board meetings as requested.
Individual Giving
· Support the Executive Director and the Board in cultivating and soliciting a portfolio of current and prospective donors. Utilize and refine a moves management plan to strategize and prioritize donor cultivation.
· Develop and execute strategy for annual giving efforts, including online giving, giving day campaigns, direct mail and other tactics
· Process gifts, create donor acknowledgements, and perform donor stewardship
· Reconcile donations with the accounting staff
· Attend quarterly Earth Share Washington meetings, coordinate corporate workplace giving efforts and annual reporting.
Corporate Giving
· Design and execute a year-round corporate partnership program
· Work with program staff to identify, cultivate, and solicit organizations and businesses in the community for corporate partnerships and employee engagement opportunities
Events
· Manage all aspects of Spark Northwest’s signature annual fundraising event, the Clean Energy Revolution
· Work with the board of directors to plan and execute small major donor cultivation or stewardship events
· Work with the program team and board to create corporate partner stewardship events
Communications & Outreach
· Create and execute a comprehensive communications calendar to meet development and programmatic objectives
· Create and implement strategies to increase social media presence and online engagement
· Maintain communications, such as e-newsletter, outreach materials and website
· Represent Spark Northwest at networking and outreach events
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES
Our ideal candidate will have 3-6 years of experience in development roles, preferably in small to mid-size nonprofit organizations. They will have a passion for creating solutions for our most pressing energy and environmental challenges. They will be a team player and a motivated self-starter, and will thrive in a fast-paced and lively organization.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience
· 3+ years’ experience in nonprofit donor solicitation, cultivation, and management
· The confidence, warmth, and leadership required to work effectively with board members, donors, prospects, and sponsors
· Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and compelling way
· Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
· Strong organizational and time management skills. Able to meet frequent and multiple deadlines.
· Strong commitment to energy and sustainability issues; an understanding of clean energy technologies and their applications is a plus
· Previous fundraising experience at an environment or sustainability focused organization
· Self-motivated; proven ability to work independently.
· Proficiency in MS Office and social media; familiarity with Exceed, Salesforce, VerticalResponse, InDesign and WordPress platforms a plus.
· A driver’s license – some driving will be required for event work.
HOW TO APPLY
connect@sparknorthwest.org