Director of Philanthropy

Position Overview: 

MCC seeks a talented and rising fundraising professional to lead our philanthropy development to a new level in support of our youth corps programs, partnerships with Tribal Nations, and corps member support/resource priorities.

MCC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities. Our headquarters is in Bozeman, MT, with satellite offices in Helena, Kalispell and Missoula, and operations reaching across the Northern Rockies and Plains states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Each year, our programs engage over 500 young people serving for more than 400,000 hours across our AmeriCorps field crew program, individual placements, youth corps programs for local teens, and Indigenous-led programs including the Piikuni Lands Service Corps on the Blackfeet Reservation. MCC’s annual budget of $13,000,000 encompasses AmeriCorps grants and earned income from project partners, including the Forest Service, National Park Service, BLM, state agencies, and local and national nonprofit partners. A smaller but transformative share of the budget is from philanthropy – grants and donations that purposefully advance our mission and strategic priorities, and connect MCC to our communities and constituents.  Our goal is to double philanthropic support within three years to top $1 million. 

The position works with the President/CEO, Board of Directors and program staff statewide to spearhead MCC’s philanthropy efforts. Ideally, the position works from Bozeman, but MCC will consider remote work if based near one of our regional offices. Regular participation with MCC in-person activities is required. This member of MCC’s leadership will research prospective donors and grant-makers, steward current major donors, acquire new supporters, and upgrade existing ones to higher levels of charitable giving. This position is ideal for someone with excellent people skills who loves building relationships and is looking to leverage their experience as a fundraising professional to take MCC’s fundraising to a new level. The applicant needs to be an engaging relationship builder and team-player, who is highly organized and detail oriented, a self-starter who can mobilize colleagues, and an enterprising fund development professional.  In time, the applicant may supervise other staff in support of MCC philanthropy development activities and thus prior supervision experience is valued.  The applicant should have a passion for engaging with genuine enthusiasm and professionalism with donors in-person, on the phone, through social media, and in group settings. We’re looking for an experienced candidate comfortable with making direct asks for important and strategic gifts. The Director of Philanthropy will work closely with MCC staff to develop and distribute compelling communications that advance our philanthropic objectives. The Director of Philanthropy will also coordinate with contracted services to research, obtain and maintain support through foundation grants.

Location: Bozeman, MT (in person) preferred, but MCC will consider remote/hybrid options for candidates living close to one of our regional offices (Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula).

Desired Start Date: 3/25/24 (Flexible)

Reports to: President and CEO

Classification: Exempt; Regular/Full Time

Salary: $65,000-$85,000 DOE, with health, retirement, vacation benefits

We will reach out to selected candidates for interviews the final week of February/first week of March!

Apply/Full Position Description

Learn More About MCC 

Learn More about Equity and Identity at MCC

Why Join MCC?

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with CEO and Board of Directors, develop long-term and annual fundraising plans
• Implement fundraising campaigns targeting specific stakeholder groups
• Research, cultivate and steward sustained support from high capacity donors
• Facilitate donor outreach and engagement, including scheduling meetings, arranging visits, coordinating schedules and activities, and making in-person asks
• Research, develop and implement campaign for solicitation of planned gifts
• Prepare and print timely acknowledgement of all gifts and maintain detailed donor database records using a Salesforce CRM
• Work closely with the Communications Manager to develop fundraising materials, campaigns and messaging using print, online and social media resources
• Develop and present periodic reports for the Pres/CEO and board of directors
• Guide the research, development and submission of foundation grants and reports, and assist the CEO with MCC AmeriCorps support
• Support the board of directors’ engagement in fundraising endeavors
• Participate in MCC efforts to support a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work place.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field requiring extensive writing and communications skills, or 3-years documented professional experience transferable to fundraising and donor stewardship work.

Qualifications & Skills: 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated success with hands-on fundraising and direct donor cultivation and stewardship
• A record of working well in a team, handling multiple tasks simultaneously, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to write clear, structured, articulate and persuasive appeals, grant proposals, thank-you letters and articles for our Pathways newsletter
• Strong oral communications skills to foster trust-based relationships with MCC
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail and record keeping
• High degree of integrity handling sensitive and confidential information. Ensures ethical compliance with fundraising best practices
• Fluency with use of MS Office Suite, Google Apps, and ability to manage information in a database
• Ability to travel in and out-of-state, and work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends
• A valid driver’s license, & ability to be insurable per MCC parameters/Motor Vehicle Records check 
• Ability to pass a Criminal History Check

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A clear and engaging manner of communication with an easy ability to form relationship and connect with people of all walks of life
• Experience with online fundraising platforms and utilizing social media to cultivate support
• Familiarity with planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising plan.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with fundraising information sources, including research and donor databases, and experience with Salesforce CRM.
• Experience with conservation work and/or youth development programs is helpful.

Physical Demands

This position may require periodic overnight travel and non-traditional work hours, including occasional weekend and evening hours. The ability to independently drive an organizational vehicle is also required. This position may require lifting boxes up to 30 pounds, and other heavy items (i.e.: screens, coolers). Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

MCC seeks to provide access and opportunity to a diverse group of staff and participants, while continuing to identify and reduce barriers to being involved in our organization and programs. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.

While this position description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All Montana Conservation Corps positions may be required to periodically perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities.