Development and Operations Director
Organization Name:
California Farmland Trust
Contact Name:
Charlotte Mitchell
Contact Phone:
(916)544-2712
Contact Email:
Address:
8970 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624
Company Website:
www.cafarmtrust.org
Description, Compensation and Benefits:
Primary Responsibilities:
Fund Development (50%)
• Prospect Research: maintain and add to CFT’s database of donors by actively seeking and identifying potential individuals, foundations, partners, and corporate donors.
• Cultivation: build relationships with prospective donors, developing and implementing touch points and strategies for engagement with CFT’s programs and activities.
• Solicitation: actively manage a portfolio of major gift prospects ($5,000 and greater) and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Work closely with the Board of Directors and appropriate committee(s) to identify key opportunities and contacts as well as provide direction and assistance to individual Board members in the donor solicitation process.
• Donor Stewardship: foster and nurture relationships with current donors through targeted communication, special events, program updates and other activities, as needed.
• Grant Writing: prepare and write grant proposals, particularly those that pertain to organizational capacity, and assist CFT’s Conservation Director with identification of potential grants, and the needed preparation, writing, and reporting.
• Annual Campaigns Management: oversee the development and execution of all annual development campaigns, ensuring budgetary goals are met with an emphasis on overall growth in dollars raised and total number of donors.
• Event Management: Plan and execute major and minor fundraising and friendraising event(s). Secure financial sponsorships, ticket sales and employ other income generating ideas. Work with the appropriate committee(s), Board of Directors, and staff to identify additional strategic and timely fundraising and friendraising outreach opportunities for the organization as they arise.
• Executive Director Support: provide support to the Executive Director in managing the portfolio of major gift and legacy donor solicitations.
• Budget: develop the annual income and expenditure budget for the development program. Monitor expenses and analyze budget reports on fund development. Provide detailed fund development reports and progress charts for committee(s) and Board of Director review.
Communications and Outreach (30%)
• Supervise the Communications Associate to include, but not be limited to:
o Provide guidance and oversight in their day-to-day responsibilities
o Mentor them in their role for their benefit as well as that of CFT.
o Work in partnership with them to develop an appropriate professional development plan to augment their skills that will benefit them as well as CFT.
o Conduct their annual performance evaluation, including making recommendations to their compensation and benefits during the annual budgeting process.
o Provide constructive discipline, if necessary, in compliance with the CFT Employee Handbook.
• Work with the Strategic Marketing and Philanthropy Committee, Board of Directors, and staff to develop and deliver a strategic plan for the organization’s external communications, including but not limited to Legacy newsletter, Impact Report, e-news, video, social media, website, radio, and television.
• Oversee the development and production of:
o Public media materials, including press releases and other support for press events.
o Marketing and fundraising collateral, including but not limited to brochures and letters, event sponsorship pieces, multi-media presentations, and the impact report.
Education (10%)
• With the assistance of support staff, manage the existing corporate partnership to deliver agriculture education activities and develop new partnerships to increase the educational tools that help teach the general public about farmland protection and its finite resource.
• Specifically, organizing, compiling, and aiding in the disbursement of Orange You Glad We Have Farmland activity kits for classrooms and providing virtual and in-person demonstrations to various groups, including schools, AgVenture, and community groups.
• Explore additional grant opportunities to extend the Orange You Glad We Have Farmland curriculum and provide this in various formats and languages to a broader learning community.
Operations (10%)
• Assist the Executive Director with the general operations, including budget preparation, recording meeting minutes, maintain office equipment agreements and contracts, and other areas as assigned.
• Understand the Land Trust Standards and Practices with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). Ensure all policies are current and comply with LTA Standards and Practices.
• Serve as lead staff for the accreditation renewal process with LTA.
• Coordinate preparation/update of the organizational strategic plan, policies, and other organizational documents.
• Oversee the long-term, secure retention of documents in accordance with LTA Standards and Practices.
• Support the team spirit and encourage a welcoming and supportive environment for staff and our volunteers.
Required Qualifications:
Ability to:
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization. Proven experience working cooperatively, effectively, tactfully, and personably with a variety of people including the Board of Directors, Trustee Council, committee members, funders and prospective funders, staff, students, volunteers, donors, regulatory agencies, local government, and other professionals.
• Speak, listen, and write in a clear, compelling, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques. Must be able to effectively make presentations before large and small groups. Must be able to use all social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
• Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization. Must have the ability to properly handle confidential information.
• Travel as needed throughout California and adjust shifts according to the needs of the organization. Must be able to evolve as the organization evolves and actively engage in furthering the development of the organization and to perform any other duties as assigned. This person should have a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others as a team player, to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness. This person should be interested and willing to help other staff members when needed to achieve organizational success.
• Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands; maintain a professional appearance and telephone manner; ability to maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, avoiding aggressive behavior at all times; personal hygiene is essential.
• Work nights and weekends, as needed.
• Travel throughout California using various modes of transportation, as needed.
Education and Experience Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or commensurate experience in fundraising/development in a non-profit environment.
• Proven track record of raising funds from diverse sources, including major gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Self-motivated with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Constant Contact, social media platforms, and the ability to quickly learn and implement additional software as needed.
• Valid CA Driver’s License, reliable automobile, and auto insurance.
• Preference given to candidates with experience and/or education in agriculture.
• Preference given to candidates who live in the greater Sacramento region.
Environmental Conditions:
Varied environments both indoors and outdoors, including a variety of terrains and inclement weather; works with computers; uses telephone extensively. Travel to various functions in vehicles or other transportation. Maintain a flexible schedule that may involve night and weekend work.
Physical Conditions and Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is regularly required to:
• Sit for prolonged periods of time;
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
• Reach with hands and arms;
• Talk and hear;
• Stand and walk;
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; and
• Drive a vehicle for prolonged periods of time.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must also have the ability to:
• Pay attention and focus;
• Follow instructions; and
• Listen to and comprehend communication from the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Trustee Council, donors, funders,
Hours, Benefits, and Compensation:
Salary range for the position is $72,000 – $84,000. Benefits include generous medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with a company match, plus paid holiday, vacation, and sick time. CFT also provides travel reimbursement, along with training and development opportunities. This position has the option to be hybrid with flexible scheduling, based on the needs of the selected candidate. This position requires the ability to travel throughout California.
Qualifications and Job Requirements:
The Development and Operations Director (DOD) shares responsibilities with the Executive Director for implementing the mission and advancing the organization’s development. The DOD is accountable to the Executive Director. The DOD is responsible for securing revenue for CFT and assisting with the organization’s general operations. This is a key position to help secure restricted and unrestricted long-term funding and financial opportunities to continue the good work of CFT. Duties include building strong and successful donor relationships, overseeing and managing fundraising efforts, maintaining communications with donors, partners, and supporters, and executing educational events. With a small staff, this person needs a ‘can-do’ attitude to help in every aspect of the organization to ensure its continued growth and success.
Application Instructions:
To apply, submit your resume, cover letter and work sample to [email protected] by midnight Friday, June 17, 2022. In your cover letter, tell us why you believe in our mission. Your work sample should demonstrate your experience with a critical duty of the position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. CFT is an equal opportunity employer. Phone calls, in-person visits or resume status inquiries are not available due to the high applicant volume.
About the Organization:
The California Farmland Trust is a public benefit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. We exist to conserve a unique natural resource, farmland, to enable future generations to thrive. We strive to build a future where our communities value farming as the best use of fertile farmland and we all protect the farms that support our economy, environment, and quality of life.
As an employee of the California Farmland Trust, you are a very important part of the entire team. Your contribution cannot be overstated because your work directly influences our Organization’s reputation and success. Our practice is to treat each employee as an individual who is respected for their innovative ideas, hard work, dedication to agriculture and the farmers we work with, and contributor to the team spirit. Most importantly, we have a workplace where communication is open and problems can be discussed and resolved in a mutually respectful atmosphere.