Ascento AG, supporting Climate Defiance Action, is hiring a Director of Development to build and deepen donor relationships, enhance organizational capacity, and help expand its work and impact. This pivotal role involves managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors, establishing systems for the major donor program, and directly managing a development team member.
What You'll Do
- Develop and lead plans to build the individual donor program, with an emphasis on securing four and five-figure gifts.
- Manage a portfolio of 75+ current and prospective donors, engaging them through in-person, phone, video, and email updates.
- Identify new donors through Climate Defiance's events, supporter database, and other avenues.
- Manage the development team member, supporting their event planning and major gifts responsibilities with training and ongoing guidance.
- Support the Executive Director with fundraising, including preparing for high-value donor conversations and asks.
- Develop systems to effectively cultivate, steward, and track donor relationships.
- Create strategies for engaging high-capacity prospects.
- Engage with attendees from VIP events to set up meetings and facilitate introductions.
- Maintain the donor database, drive a strong donor management system, and track and analyze trends.
- Contribute to small donor fundraising strategies.
- Provide support as needed for other organizational initiatives, such as staff recruitment.
- Participate actively on the leadership team, providing strategic input.
- Travel regularly to cities for donor meetings and events, estimated at 35-50% of your time.
What We're Looking For
- At least 11 years of work experience with a significant background in development and individual giving programs, preferably in a nonprofit.
- Passion for addressing the climate crisis.
- Proven experience carrying a portfolio of individual donors and success in managing and growing that portfolio.
- A track record of successfully securing gifts up to and including 5-figures.
- Strong understanding of how to cultivate and nurture meaningful, long-term relationships with donors.
- Experience playing a key role in scaling up a major donor program.
- Success in identifying new high-capacity prospects, including related research.
- Comfort and excitement to travel frequently for donor events and meetings.
- Some experience with small donor fundraising.
- A results-driven, entrepreneurial mindset, excited to join a fast-paced setting.
Nice to Have
- Experience working in an advocacy, grassroots organizing, or campaign setting.
- Fundraising experience specifically for environmental issues, including climate change.
Team & Environment
You will manage a development team member and coordinate closely with the Executive Director.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary: $80,000.
- Unlimited vacation time, with 20 days plus Christmas week encouraged.
- Group health care coverage.
- 401(k) with a 7% employer contribution.
Work Mode
This role is based locally within the United States.
Climate Defiance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or medical condition. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse team.
