Who We Are

Founded in 2005, Explore The Trades is dedicated to bridging the technical talent gap in the service trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical.

Explore The Trades, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is part of the national conversation to bring the skilled trades back into schools. The organization provides classroom resources to schools around the U.S. and Canada to promote these careers and to showcase the importance of these trades to communities across the country. Explore The Trades is also an industry resource for residential service contractors looking to partner with schools in their communities.

Explore The Trades is a “sister organization” of Nexstar Network, member-owned organization devoted to providing leadership and business coaching and training to residential service companies across the U.S., Canada, and beyond since 1992.

Explore The Trades is growing and looking to add a fulltime position to the team.

The Big Picture

The primary role of the Donor Engagement Specialist is to create and manage a donor engagement strategy for Explore The Trades, specifically with industry and foundation partner relationships. The position will work in partnership with the Executive Director and Project Coordinator.

Key Tasks

• Work with Executive Director and Board of Trustees to create and implement a comprehensive donor strategy
• Management of donor communications
• Develop and maintain stewardship opportunities, recognition, and communication
• Research and identify corporate giving prospects and grant opportunities
• Track donor metrics, including donor retention, recurring giving, new donors, etc.
• Collaborate with Executive Director and Project Coordinator with donor-related activities

Desired Skills & Additional Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative approach to building and maintaining workplace relationships
• Participate in staff development activities
• Attend events to build strong internal and external relationships
• Participate in cross-departmental internal and external committees, as needed
• Two to five years’ experience in non-profit fundraising and/or sales, preferred
• High degree of integrity, ethical decision making and confidentiality
• Knowledge of donor management software (DonorPerfect, preferred)
• Superior attention to detail
• Work independently
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Travel Requirements

• 15-20%

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 40 lbs. and stand for long periods of time

What we offer

• Base salary with performance bonus potential
• Competitive benefits package that includes company paid health, dental, vision, basic life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401(k) safe harbor plan with a 3% company contribution
• Generous PTO plan
• Education reimbursement
• Home service reimbursement
• Gym membership and cell phone reimbursement
• Paid community service day

We know you want a phenomenal career. We know you want a career with growth opportunities, work/life flexibility, and great benefits. We also know you want to care about what you do; you want to make a difference in people’s lives through your day-to-day work.

We’ll help you grow to your fullest potential, too. Imagine coming to work for a company that offers a flexible “two days in-office, three-days at home” schedule for most positions at headquarters, because both in-person collaboration and flexibility are important. Imagine knowing your voice matters at work, and you’re supported in your role by others who love to serve.

Learn more about us

If you want to be part of something bigger than just a job - then this may be the job for you! You will work in a place where you will be appreciated and where your work has a direct effect on the success of Explore The Trades and Nexstar Network. Visit our site at www.explorethetrades.org to learn more about our organization.

Explore The Trades is managed by Nexstar Network, with all pre-employment screenings administered by Nexstar Network.

Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment drug test and background check. Nexstar Network provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, Nexstar Network complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.