Benefits:
Competitive salary
Dental insurance
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Paid time off
Training & development
Vision insurance
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Development Manager/Director supports and advances Mounts Botanical Garden’s fundraising efforts, focusing on annual giving, grant writing, donor engagement, and stewardship. This position complements the Executive Director, who leads major gift cultivation and solicitation. The Development Manager/Director also supervises the Membership Program Manager and plays a key role in shaping the overall donor and member experience.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, relationship-driven professional who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and brings creativity, organization, and follow-through to donor communications and fundraising strategies.
The Development Manager/Director is expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in all interactions with donors, staff, and the public. This includes carefully handling sensitive donor information and ensuring all fundraising activities comply with nonprofit best practices and donor intent.
SUPERVISED BY: Executive Director
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Annual Fund & Individual Giving
Manage and grow the annual fund program through appeals, campaigns, and donor communications.
Develop and implement strategies to increase donor retention and giving levels.
Maintain accurate donor records and generate reports to track progress.
Grant Writing & Institutional Giving
Research and identify grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government entities.
Write and submit grant proposals and required reporting.
Maintain a grant calendar and coordinate data collection with staff.
Donor Stewardship & Engagement
Coordinate donor cultivation and stewardship in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Support the preparation of donor gift agreements with the Executive Director to ensure alignment with donor intent and organizational priorities.
Identify and steward planned giving prospects and support the development of legacy gift communications and recognition efforts.
Plan and execute donor engagement events and recognition activities.
Ensure inclusive and welcoming donor practices that reflect community diversity.
Membership Program Oversight
Supervise the Membership Program Manager and oversee all membership growth, renewal, and member engagement aspects.
Work collaboratively to align membership strategy with broader fundraising and visitor engagement goals.
Use data and feedback to improve the member experience and retention.
Board & Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Support board members in donor outreach through training and tools.
Help identify strategic connections between board members and prospects.
Participate in development-related board committee meetings.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or related field.
Proven success in grant writing and individual giving campaigns.
Supervisory experience preferred; ability to manage and support direct reports.
Technical Proficiency
Proficiency in donor management and CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, or similar).
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with fundraising analytics tools, digital platforms, and data segmentation strategies is a plus.
Communication and Collaboration
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong relationship-building and donor cultivation abilities.
Collaborative and mission-aligned team member.
Skills and Attributes
Strategic thinker with attention to detail.
Self-starter with ability to manage multiple priorities.
Passion for horticulture, environmental education, or community engagement is a plus.
WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Primarily an indoor office setting with occasional outdoor donor events.
Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. for event setup/tear-down.
Occasional evenings and weekends required for events.
Maintain appropriate professional attire for various social interactions, including business casual for day-to-day office settings, business formal for high-level donor meetings, and cocktail or evening wear for special events and gala functions. Ensure that dress and appearance consistently reflect the Garden’s standards of professionalism and respect for donors and colleagues.
Must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and responsive to shifting priorities.
HOURS OF POSITION
Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Exempt/Salaried
Full Benefits
Requires availability for evenings, weekends, and special events as needed
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.