Development Director
About the Organization
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education and preservation. We provide year-round environmental education programs for all ages and a place in the Lakes Region community that encourages curiosity, discovery, fun and connection to the natural world.
Founded in 1997, Prescott Farm has helped awaken appreciation for nature and concern for the environment in thousands of program participants. We offer a wide range of programs designed to preserve and pass down knowledge and skills that encourage an understanding of the natural systems that sustain us all and respect for the environment.
During the summer and school vacation weeks, our environmentally-themed WildQuest Camps have offered children ages 4-14 the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in nature since 1997.
Since 2015 our nature-based preschool, Fledglings Preschool at Prescott Farm, has offered children ages 3 to 5 the educational foundation they need to succeed in school while awakening in each child a natural curiosity and respect for nature which is at the core of every preschool lesson.
Our Naturalist in the Classroom program supports teachers in local schools to provide place-based, hands-on lessons that incorporate the natural world to satisfy curriculum requirements and help keep children engaged and excited about learning throughout the school year.
Prescott Farm is also an ideal destination for school field trips from around New Hampshire, with innovative topics and programs available year-round, from winter animal tracking to Maple Sugaring in March to our magnificent trees and more!
Prescott Farm –exploring and preserving the natural world, one adventure at a time.
Visit us at: www.prescottfarm.org
About the Job
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center seeks a results-oriented people person who is passionate about nature and the environment to drive growth of its successful fund development program in the role of Development Director.
The Development Director works closely with the Executive Director and plays an important part of Prescott Farm’s leadership team. The role requires a relationship-oriented and community-minded person who is both driven and strategic to lead and expand upon Prescott Farm’s established fund development program. Daily responsibilities include coordination with staff, volunteers, other program directors, and the volunteer board of directors to integrate community building and a culture of development into Prescott Farm’s environmental education mission. Structuring and following-through on relationship stewardship activities including regular mission tours that orient community members to Prescott Farm’s programs and facilities, comprises more than 50% of the Development Director’s time throughout the year. The remaining time is dedicated to grant-writing, grants management, community outreach, and supervision of Prescott Farm’s thriving volunteer program.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an enthusiasm for and personal commitment to environmental education and/or stewardship and community building and will be comfortable conveying that enthusiasm one-on-one and in larger group settings. Real world development experience and an understanding of the principles of fund development are equally important characteristics for success.
Responsibilities:
- Actively collaborates with the Executive Director and a volunteer board of directors to drive relationship stewardship activities with donors, philanthropic organizations, business partners, members, and volunteers
- Meets weekly and collaborates closely with the Executive Director to achieve a multi-year fundraising and development plan in conjunction with the organization’s strategic plan
- Regularly seeks and maintains a list of funding opportunities, pursuing any opportunities which are strategically aligned with the mission and needs of Prescott Farm
- Writes and manages all grants on behalf of the organization
- Coordinates and leads bi-weekly tours designed to highlight Prescott Farm’s mission and impact
- Attends public and community events as a representative of Prescott Farm
- Coordinates and works closely with a volunteer committee and its chairperson to drive community engagement and fund development results at Prescott Farm
- Regularly reports on development activities to the Prescott Farm board of directors
- Collaborates with program staff to institute and maintain a culture of development at Prescott Farm
- Collaborates with the Communications and Events Coordinator to coordinate one large fundraising event and three donor events throughout the year on behalf of Prescott Farm
- Oversees volunteer engagement at Prescott Farm through regular supervision of a part-time Volunteer Coordinator
- Participates as an active member of the Prescott Farm team
- Other duties as assigned
Skills, Education and Experience - The ideal candidate will possess the following skills, education, and experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of experience working as part of a development team in the nonprofit sector.
- Ability to prioritize projects and assignments, maintain a positive attitude, and produce professional results under deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to capture and convey with words both anecdotal and data-based evidence related to the impacts of mission-based work
- Demonstrated track record of success in procuring grant funding
- Experience working with a donor database or other CRM software; Knowledge of Little Green Light a plus.
- Proficient in all MS Office Products including Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
- Basic understanding of financial management and/or grant fund management
- Experience with planned giving and capital campaigns a plus
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Bachelor’s degree required
Status: This position is a permanent full-time, year-round salaried position with benefits
Benefits: Paid time off for holidays, vacations, and sick time; health insurance; life & long-term disability insurance; SIMPLE IRA with up to a 3% match; cafeteria plan; professional development; Ability to work remotely up to 2 days per week.
Performance: Annual performance reviews; regular weekly and monthly check-ins with supervisor and committee chairperson.
Reports to: Executive Director
Please submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and 3 professional references via e-mail to: Jude Hamel, Executive Director, at jhamel@prescottfarm.org.