Development Director

Who We Are

Beaver Brook Association Beaver Brook Association (BBA) is a nonprofit environmental education and conservation organization dedicated to inspiring appreciation and stewardship of the natural world. Spanning over 2,200 acres of protected land, BBA provides miles of scenic trails, hands-on educational programs, and community engagement opportunities that connect people of all ages with nature. With a rich history of environmental leadership, BBA fosters a deep commitment to conservation, sustainability, and outdoor learning. As we continue to expand our impact, we are seeking a dedicated Development Director to help strengthen our fundraising efforts and ensure the long-term success of our mission.

Annual donor support at Beaver Brook is strong and has been steadily growing, even without a dedicated development person on staff. With the launching of the Transforming Beaver Brook capital campaign in 2024, it is clear that this support is critical to continue the cultivation and stewardship of BBA’s incredible donor base.

Our vision is for this new position to oversee the individual fundraising activities at BBA, including the annual appeal campaign, stewardship of major donors, drafting of fundraising materials, and working collaboratively with BBA board and staff to identify fundraising needs and create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy.

Position Overview

The Development Director is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing and executing the fundraising strategies of Beaver Brook. This role is essential to ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization through donor stewardship, annual fundraising campaigns, capital campaign management, and fundraising event support. The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to drive fundraising efforts, strengthen donor relationships, and enhance BBA’s visibility and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Relationship Management & Stewardship

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with current individual donors, major gift prospects, and key stakeholders, as well as identify new potential donors.
• Develop and organize donor appreciation practices, including gift acknowledgements, annual reports, and more personal stewardship of top donors.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement strategies to grow philanthropic income, such as increasing monthly donors and legacy giving.
• Oversee and manage the donor management system Bloomerang, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.

Annual Fundraising

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and board members to set and meet annual fundraising goals.
• Plan, execute, and monitor annual fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, digital campaigns, and end-of-year giving initiatives.
• Coordinate the creation of fundraising messaging and materials with internal teams.
• Track annual fundraising progress, identify trends, and adjust strategies to maximize fundraising efforts.

Capital Campaign Oversight

• Work closely with the Executive Director and campaign consultant to execute campaign activities such as donor outreach and events.
• Develop campaign materials, including donor update newsletters and public phase appeals, in collaboration with internal teams.
• Maintain a campaign calendar to keep the campaign on track.
• Build personal relationships, and support those of the ED, with top campaign donors through regular communication and reporting.
• Provide regular updates to key stakeholders on campaign status, financial progress, and upcoming needs.

Fundraising Event Coordination

• Assist with the planning and execution of fundraising events, including small house parties and donor appreciation gatherings.
• Coordinate sponsorship solicitation for Fall Festival and other events.
• Ensure event follow-up practices are in place, such as thank-you letters, donor recognition, and stewardship throughout the year..

Strategic Planning & Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop long-term fundraising goals and strategies.
• Contribute to the creation of an annual development plan that aligns with the mission and goals of BBA.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fundraising trends, best practices, and legal regulations to ensure the organization’s approach remains innovative and compliant.
• Regularly generate reports and analysis from the database to inform fundraising strategy and campaign progress.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 2 years working on individual fundraising or capital campaigns.
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills, including the proven ability to develop compelling fundraising materials.
• Comfortable engaging with donors virtually and in person.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High level of integrity, transparency, and confidentiality in handling donor information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Creative problem solver who is resourceful and adaptable.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and enthusiasm for environmental conservation and education.
• Event planning experience, especially in nonprofit settings.
• Knowledge of grant writing and corporate sponsorship solicitation.

Working Conditions

• The role is primarily based in an office environment, with occasional travel to local events.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required

To Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of professional references to Lindsay Jones, Executive Director, at ljones@bbanature.org. In your cover letter, include a description of your experience in nonprofit development and why you are passionate about contributing to the mission of BBA.

Beaver Brook Association is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited byapplicable law.