Conservation Voters of South Carolina - Director of Development

Job Posting: Director of Development                         

Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

About the Organization

Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) is a non-partisan statewide non-profit organization dedicated to protecting South Carolina’s environment through advocacy and direct political action. CVSC lobbies for better environmental policies, holds South Carolina legislators accountable for their decisions and seeks to make conservation a priority for South Carolina’s elected officials, candidates, and voters. CVSC works to increase the political power of South Carolina’s conservation community, helping to elect candidates to legislative and statewide office who are committed to a safe, clean and healthy South Carolina. Our sister organization, CVSC Education Fund, works to maximize the participation of conservation-minded citizens in public policy decisions.

About the Director of Development:

CVSC seeks a highly motivated, creative person with a variety of fundraising or organizational building experience to plan and execute an ambitious fundraising plan to build organizational capacity. The Director of Development will lead the organization in the development and implementation of a multi-year plan that emphasizes major donors and membership acquisition, and includes foundation support and board fundraising capacity building. The successful candidate is a creative self-starter capable of working independently as well as in close collaboration with staff and board, with demonstrated experience initiating projects and advancing them successfully.

Specific Responsibilities:

Reports to and works closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement all fundraising activities, including membership development, major donor solicitations, board fundraising, and event planning. The Director will also assist in foundation fundraising efforts through grant research, writing and relationship maintenance with funders.

Fundraising planning: Work with executive director to strengthen and implement annual fundraising plan. This includes maintaining and expanding existing donor base. Assist Executive Director in board member cultivation and development. Work with Board to develop Board capacity for fundraising.

Membership Development: Responsible for small donor appeals, renewals, and acquisition. Sustain and build annual membership program in accordance with budget goals. Includes managing an aggressive membership renewal and prospect program and looking for ways to improve and integrate Internet strategies into existing membership programs.

Major Donor Program: Work closely with the Executive Director, Board, staff and major donors to improve and expand existing major donor program. Includes donor research, cultivation, solicitation, and building capacity of Board and staff to participate in major donor visits.

Experience/Qualifications:

Applicants should have demonstrated success in organizational capacity building and familiarity with fundraising best practices – ideally with emphasis on major donor fundraising. Requirements include: excellent interpersonal, verbal, written communications skills; interest in conservation issues and political landscape; a commitment to the missions of CVSC and CVSCEF; strong attention to detail; good organizational skills and follow-through; strong technology skills; highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Previous Internet-based database experience preferred. Several years of successful experience in one or more of the following: fundraising, nonprofit or small business management, or campaign organizing preferred. The ideal candidate will have measurable successes in major donor solicitation; experience with nonprofit organization preferred. Also need a willingness to travel throughout the state.

Salary/Benefits: Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include health insurance.

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: Ann Timberlake Executive Director, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, PO Box 50632, Columbia, SC 29250. Email applications accepted at scvoters@bellsouth.net.  This position is open until filled. CVSC is an equal opportunity employer.