The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit support partner of the Golden Gate National Parks—84,000 acres of national parkland throughout the Bay Area, including Muir Woods, Ocean Beach, Crissy Field, and Alcatraz. The Parks Conservancy is a membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future. Park projects and programs include the Crissy Field Center, the promoting of leadership and environmental justice training for youth; the Native Plant Nurseries, which grows over 100,000 plants annually to restore habitat; Trails Forever, which is at work building and rehabilitating miles of trails throughout the parks; and volunteer programs that inspire 35,000 people annually to take action in support the parks.

Position Overview

The Development Associate, Major Donor Communications, reports to the Director, Philanthropic Giving.  The Associate is part of a thirteen-member fundraising team that raises over $10 million annually.  The Development Associate works under the supervision of the Director, Philanthropic Giving, in the planning and implementation of initiatives to increase the number of major donors in the Parks Conservancy Leaders Circle ($1,000+) and increase the giving levels of current major donors through written solicitation. This position will assist in the planning and is responsible for the implementation of other communication for cultivation and stewardship activities for major donors, along with all related support activities.  S/he also works with the Director to acknowledge and tracks gifts of $1,000 or more.  The Development Associate supports the Chief Development Officer on solicitation and acknowledgment of key volunteers.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities                                                

• Under the direction and supervision of the Director, Philanthropic Giving, the Associate, Major Donor Communication, participates in the development of an annual comprehensive solicitation plan (i.e. including identifying strategic segments of donors to receive letters at specific times during the year to ask donors to renew and increase their giving) for major donor solicitation by mail. The Associate:
• Under the direction and supervision of the Director, Philanthropic Giving, draft and edit stewardship and cultivation communications for the Leaders Circle team.  This will include:
• Attend and provide support for volunteer fundraising groups, such as the Leaders Circle Advisory Council meetings and Family Campfire committee meetings:
• Assist with donor events, including helping create invitation lists, taking RSVPs, fielding phone calls and emails leading up to events, generating name-tags and check-in lists, attending and providing necessary assistance on event day, and entering donor interactions in the Raisers Edge database following the event.
• Responsible for initiating, coordinating, and ensuring accuracy of annual report donor list, contact donors as needed to ensure accurate and appropriate acknowledgment, create the mailing list for the annual report, and engage appropriate staff in review.
• Serve as excellent customer service contact to Leaders Circle members and key volunteers.  Focusing on stewardship, ensure that every member receives timely and excellent customer service and information.
• Provide occasional support to the Chief Development Officer, including providing giving reports for the Board of Trustees, and reporting and analyzing giving program results.
• Ensure integrity of the database of donors and prospective donors and recommend improvements of procedures.  Problem solve database issues for development staff. 
• Work with Director and other staff to create, test, and document procedures.
• This position will also copy edit and/or draft and develop written and electronic materials as needed/requested by the Chief Development Officer and Director, Philanthropic Giving.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director, Philanthropic Giving. 

• Drafts, edits, and produces all major donor mail solicitation letters in alignment with the solicitation plan.
• Gathers information from program/communications staff to include in solicitation letters.
• Drafts solicitation letters based on that information a number of times throughout the year.
• Creates an annual calendar of the production schedule for monthly renewals mailing and special mailings.
• Manages/manipulates the mailing lists each month to tailor it to meet the needs for each segment of monthly renewal mailings for Leaders Circle ($1,000+) donors; as well as adjusting and updating acknowledgement letters throughout the year to match the content of the solicitation letters.
• Work with the Director, Philanthropic Giving to ensure timely implementation of written acknowledgements for all gifts over $1,000, including Trustee and Board Associate giving. *(Preferably within 48 hours.)
• Work with membership team to recommend or initiate upgrade strategies.

• Drafting informational/cultivation print communications on a semi-monthly basis to keep donors informed about the uses of their gifts.
• Updating and maintaining Leaders Circle webpages to reflect most up to date events and benefits.
• Creating occasional updates/reports for donors who request more detailed information on a given topic.
• Managing the overall process and writing articles for the quarterly Leaders Circle e-Newsletter.  Other ad hoc writing assignments as needed. 

• Prepare quarterly membership and financial reports for the Leaders Circle Advisory Council.
• Analyze and report on progress toward goals for Leaders Circle (through written solicitations).
• Recommend improvements to current practices.
• Aid key fundraising volunteers with any questions/problems they might have.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 3 years or more experience in a fundraising/development position
• Communication and interpersonal skills must be at the highest possible level
• Excellent writing and editing skills with excellent attention to detail, copy editing and experience writing in multiple “voices”
• The individual should be energetic, self-directed and assertive, and also flexible, creative, and understanding
• Experience working with volunteers to achieve fundraising goals a plus
• Detail oriented with good organizational and problem solving skills
• Analytical and technical aptitude
• Experience with relational databases such as The Raiser’s Edge
• Ability to make independent recommendations to resolve and advance projects
• Computer proficiency
• Ability to work independently as well as to serve as a key member of a collaborative team
• California driver’s license
• Must be available to periodically work on evenings and weekends

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Regularly works at a computer station and operates electronic equipment for 6-8 hours per day.
• Work is performed at a desk in an indoor setting.
• Position requires participation in donor outings including hikes and event set-up and take-down.
• Regularly requires positioning, lifting, and carrying objects up to 30 pounds. 

Compensation
The salary for this position will be commensurate with work experience, skills, and educational background.

Please submit a cover letter and resume through our web application portal: http://www.parksconservancy.org/about/jobs/?gnk=job&gni=8a7886a35b6b3687015b7e34a05a6501&gns=Other

Applications will be accepted until May 5, 2017.
Please no phone calls about this position.

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances.