Development Director

Purpose/Vision: The Development Director for The Farm at Prophetstown is a key member of our team, responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the farm's mission of preserving local agricultural history and providing educational programming. This role involves building and maintaining relationships with individual donors, corporations, and community partners to secure philanthropic support for annual operations, special projects, and capital campaigns. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic, organized, and a skilled communicator with a passion for history, agriculture, and community relationship building.

Qualifications

Preferred Education and experience:

· A Bachelor's degree.

· 3-5 years of experience in development or a related field.

· Experience with annual, major gift and planned giving programs.

· Proven track record of successfully cultivating and soliciting gifts from individuals and corporations.

· Familiarity with the local philanthropic community.

· Professional fundraising experience in a nonprofit, cultural heritage, agricultural, or museum setting with a track record of meeting fundraising goals is preferred.

· A high skill level in organization, planning, and follow through.

· Strong public speaking ability.

Skills and abilities:

• A passion for history, agriculture, and the mission of The Farm at Prophetstown.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to inspire and engage stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Ability to work both independently, this position has no direct reports.
• Ability to attend events throughout the year, including weekends and evenings.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Multifaceted, be knowledgeable about fundraising discipline and pipeline building.
• The Development Director must build a relationship and culture of philanthropy in the organization that weaves together the State DNR, the Board, The Farm Staff, and the community.

Work environment and physical demands

· This is a full-time, salaried position that will require evening and weekend hours for special events.

· Work is performed in a standard office setting as well as outdoors on the farm property.

· Requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, walk on uneven ground, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Fundraising and donor relations:

· Working with the Executive Director and Development Committee, design and execute annual and long-term fundraising plans to meet or exceed revenue goals.

· Develop and manage the annual fund, including direct mail and email campaigns.

· Administer and maintain accurate donor records in a CRM or donor database system.

· Develop and implement individual major gift and planned giving strategies to build long-term support.

· Manage a portfolio of major gift potential donors and supporters, overseeing their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

· Oversee foundation proposal writing and reporting, including researching new funding opportunities.

· Identify and cultivate partnerships with local and regional businesses for sponsorships and corporate giving.

· Drive Revenue Growth & Diversification: Go beyond meeting targets to develop new funding streams (grants, major gifts, events, digital) and increase overall giving, ensuring financial stability and growth for the organization.

· Strategic Vision & Execution: Create and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan that aligns with the organization's mission, using data and foresight to adapt to trends and achieve long-term goals.

· Strengthen Donor Stewardship & Cultivation: Build deep, meaningful relationships with donors, treating them as partners, showing impact, and creating personalized engagement plans to foster loyalty and repeat giving.

· Working with the Executive Director, Education and Events Coordinator, and Development Committee, identify, plan, and utilize special engagement and fundraising events, such as member appreciation days, farm-to-table dinners, and donor awareness gatherings.

· Work with staff and volunteers to promote special events and fundraising campaigns, as needed.

· Manage guest lists, donor recognition, and follow-up communications for all development events.

· Identify and recruit volunteers to assist with fundraising events and campaigns.

Pay: $50, $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Work Location: In person