Job Title: Development/Engagement Manager
Reports To: Executive Director
Hours: Salary, Executive

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Mission and Purpose: EarthLinks cultivates transformation and self-worth with people experiencing homelessness and poverty. By creating opportunities through Earth-centered programs, individuals step out of isolation and into community—restoring each other and the planet. EarthLinks is a nonprofit experiential educational organization that seeks to link people, particularly those who have experienced of economic poverty and housing insecurity, with Earth and with others through shared experiences in the natural world. EarthLinks facilitates experiences that help people whose lives are deeply affected by homelessness, violence, addictions, mental health issues, and poverty to strengthen self-esteem and develop the trust that is necessary to make constructive life changes.

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Development/Engagement Manager reports to the Executive Director. The Development/Engagement Manager is highly collaborative, primarily focusing on fundraising through external relationship cultivation. The Development/Engagement Manager is responsible for managing relationships with a portfolio of funders, guiding the grant proposal and report writing process, initiating donor recruitment, and supporting, retaining, and stewarding donors to the organization. In addition, this position is expected to initiate, maintain, and participate in efforts to engage with other nonprofits, community organizations, governmental entities, and others to extend their reach and solicit donations for EarthLinks. This role is best suited for a person who loves to meet people and can communicate the mission and impact of EarthLinks with passion and clarity.

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Community cultivation among staff, participants, and Earth is a primary goal of every position at EarthLinks.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

The following represents a non-exclusive list of assigned duties and responsibilities:

I. Donors, Grants, and Events

1. Plans and manages all activities related to obtaining financial support for the organization, with support from the Executive Director and other staff members.

2. Establishes and meets annual funding goals from foundations, faith communities, corporations, and other funding groups.

3. Responsible for stewarding funder relationships, hosting tours, and providing personalized updates. Oversees the CRM for EarthLinks and ensures all acknowledgments are sent to donors, including compliance with and communication of any tax credit or other benefits allowed to donors.

4. Is responsible for end-of-year fundraising and donor stewardship.

5. Completes the writing and submitting of grants and funding applications to foundations and corporations. Manages the annual grants calendar, ensuring deadlines for proposals and reports are met. Communicate with other staff as necessary to allow ample time for input and completion. Ensures that programs adhere to restricted grant requirements and that all data needed for evaluation and grant reporting are collected and provided in a timely manner for grant reports.

6. Researches and cultivates new funding opportunities.

7. Foster relationships with key stakeholders and corporate partners to maintain their engagement with the organization and help discover further funding opportunities through the existing EarthLinks network and others.

8. Works with program staff to identify fundraising needs that match the mission of funding agencies.

9. Manages, plans, and executes the production of EarthLinks’ fundraising events, including corporate and institutional sponsorships.

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II. Community Relations and Communications

1. Serves as an ambassador for the organization.

2. Establish relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations related to program coordination, collaboration, or other organizational needs.

3. Plans, executes and assists with community events.

4. Attends neighborhood and other community meetings to stay informed about community events and share EarthLinks’ perspective on their situations.

5. Oversees and collaborates with other staff, vendors, and the Director of Operations to create content and communications, such as regular email and social media communications, to expand the public's familiarity with EarthLinks.

6. Is responsible for all written and electronic communications soliciting donations, invitations to events, or other communications for the organization. This includes 4 to 5 mailings each year (stewardships and appeals), an annual newsletter, and invitations to events held at EarthLinks, such as gatherings, holiday sales, plant sales, and others, in print and electronically.

III. General Management

1. Assists and oversees program planning, implementation, and evaluation with the Executive Director and other team members.

2. Displays creativity and initiative in the execution of community engagement efforts and the development of organizational goals.

3. Participate in strategic planning, board committee meetings, and board meetings as necessary.

4. Performs other duties as required.

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GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• - Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred

• - At least three years of successful experience with professional grant writing and communications

• - At least one year of fundraising experience: stewardships, appeals, email campaigns, donor solicitation

• - Experience researching and utilizing potential funding sources

• - Experience communicating complex social issues and impact metrics

• - Experience referencing research articles and periodicals

• Skills and Competencies

• - Excellent verbal and writing skills. English required. Bi-lingual a plus.

• - Ability to work independently, with limited direction, in a fast-paced environment; must be a motivated self-starter

• - Deep understanding of the roots and history of poverty and inequity in our communities

• - Excellent industry knowledge across human services, nonprofits, and foundations

• - Strong team builder and player

• - A strong dedication to EarthLinks’ mission

• - Commitment to work towards social justice and equity

• - Deep commitment to environmental sustainability in all facets

• - Evening and weekend work required

• - Valid driver’s license

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REQUIREMENTS

1. The position will require office time and the ability to meet local community members and others offsite.

2. Position requires an individual to lift 25# and occasionally 50#.

3. The position requires the ability to bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, walk, sit, grasp, stoop, crouch, twist, and lift. Small motor movements are also regularly employed. Speaking and listening are required. An English speaker is required.

4. Working knowledge of CRM software and Microsoft Office Programs, especially Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, is required. Knowledge and regular use of the Internet, including but not limited to email, are also required. The ability to use standard office machinery such as copiers, printers, and fax machines is expected.

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SALARY

Salary: Salary range commensurate with experience: $60,000 to $65,000

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Benefits: Health, vision and dental insurance premiums paid for full time employees, modified Cafeteria Plan available for dependent insurance coverage; 11 paid holidays each year; SIMPLE IRA matching available (currently at 3%); discounts on in-store purchases; PTO and sick time accrual.