Head of Development Management

Sycamore Land Trust is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, well-qualified individual to implement and grow an established development program that supports our nature preservation and environmental education efforts in southern Indiana. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, Sycamore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that has been preserving land, restoring habitat, and connecting people to nature since 1990. This position leads and manages all fundraising activities, aiming to increase overall support to meet or exceed Sycamore’s annual fundraising targets to achieve strategic objectives. The Development Director is an integral member of a team of nine full-time and one part-time professional staff, who collaborates with our Board of Directors, dozens of dedicated volunteers, and more than 1,250 annual supporting members to fulfill Sycamore’s mission. The Development Director works closely with and reports to the Executive Director.

Development Program Planning and Implementation

Plan and implement all fundraising efforts and development programs, including major gifts, planned giving, membership and annual giving, and special appeals.

Supervise the part-time Membership Coordinator.

Lead the Board Development Committee and inform and advise board members on soliciting gifts.

Maintain and utilize Sycamore’s donor database to track prospects, pledges, gifts, grants, and interactions with constituents.

Collaborate with the Administrative Director, who is responsible for gift entry, to manage online giving systems, online information collection systems, and the donor database.

Perform grant writing, reporting, and compliance to maximize institutional funding opportunities.

Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with new and existing major donors, fostering trust-based partnerships to secure and sustain philanthropic support. Lead the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising, including identifying funding opportunities, writing compelling grant proposals, managing grant administration, and ensuring timely reporting and compliance. Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation, corporate, and government funders to strengthen long-term support.

Plan and host special donor events, including the annual celebration and holiday party, in collaboration with the Communications Director.

Coordinate with the Communications Director on development-related messaging and review other public communications.

Represent Sycamore at various public outreach meetings and forums.

Five or more years of professional experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated success in major donor development.

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, a high school degree or equivalent is required.

High degree of professionalism, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Proficiency with fundraising database software, Microsoft Office, and other standard office software.

Valid driver’s license, demonstrated safe driving record, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel throughout southern Indiana.

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits including health insurance, Simple IRA with employer matching, paid vacation and sick time, travel reimbursement, a flexible work environment, and a comfortable office located in a beautiful mid-century modern house on a wooded property on the edge of Bloomington.

Sycamore Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or parental status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.

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