Sycamore Land Trust is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, well-qualified individual to implement and grow an established development program that supports our nature preservation and environmental education efforts in southern Indiana. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, Sycamore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that has been preserving land, restoring habitat, and connecting people to nature since 1990. We protect and care for over 11,500 acres and growing, offer free public hiking trails and educational opportunities, and are accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

This position is responsible for leading all fundraising activities, aiming to increase overall support to meet or exceed Sycamore’s annual fundraising targets to achieve strategic objectives. The Development Director is an integral member of a team of nine full-time professional staff, collaborating with our board of directors, dozens of dedicated volunteers, and over 1,250 annual supporting members to fulfill Sycamore’s mission. The Development Director works closely with and reports to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Program Planning and Implementation

• Lead, manage, and execute fundraising strategies to generate at $1 million or more in annual revenue, encompassing both general operating support and restricted giving.
• Plan and implement all fundraising efforts and development programs, including major gifts, planned giving, membership and annual giving, and special appeals.
• Track and report on the progress of fundraising goals monthly; provide the Executive Director, Development Committee, and Board of Directors with monthly reports and updates on fundraising activities and metrics.
• Lead the Development Committee and advise board members on soliciting gifts.
• Maintain and utilize Sycamore’s donor database in Little Green Light to track prospects, pledges, gifts, grants, and interactions with constituents.
• Collaborate with the Administrative Director to manage online giving systems, online information collection systems, and the donor database.
• Perform grant writing, reporting, and compliance to maximize institutional funding opportunities.
• Employ best practices and maintain the highest ethical standards in all aspects of Sycamore fundraising, including adherence to Land Trust Alliance standards and practices

Carl Ziegler Wetlands and Education Center Capital Campaign

• Lead and execute a three-year, $2+ million capital campaign to fund the renovation of a new education center, wetland restoration, and the construction of an accessible trail system.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and community giving.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, foundations, and key stakeholders to secure financial commitments.
  Collaborate with Sycamore staff, board members, volunteers, and campaign committees to advance fundraising goals.
• Plan and execute special fundraising events momentum.
• Manage campaign communications, including case statements, donor recognition plans, and progress reports.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and leadership team to align campaign goals with organizational priorities.
• Track and report on fundraising progress and financial targets, ensuring and donor engagement activities to build campaign transparency and accountability.

Major and Planned Gifts

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with new and existing major donors, fostering trust-based partnerships to secure and sustain philanthropic support. Develop tailored engagement strategies to deepen donor commitment and increase giving capacity.
• Lead the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising, including identifying funding opportunities, writing compelling grant proposals, managing grant administration, and ensuring timely reporting and compliance. Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation, corporate, and government funders to strengthen long-term support.
• Manage and implement the Legacy Circle program to promote planned giving, and cultivate individual prospects for planned gifts.
• Assist the Land Preservation Director with fostering land and conservation easement donations, as well as planned gifts of land.

Membership and Annual Giving

• Collaborate with the Administrative Director, Membership Coordinator, and Communications Director to evaluate the effectiveness of Sycamore’s annual membership program and fundraising appeals, and ensure programs are meeting desired targets.

Public Relations and Events

• Plan and host special donor events, including the annual celebration and holiday party, in collaboration with the Communications Director.
• Coordinate with the Communications Director on development-related messaging and review other public communications.
• Represent Sycamore at various public outreach meetings and forums.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of professional experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated success in major donor development.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred, a high school degree or equivalent is required.

COMPETENCIES

• Outgoing, friendly, and collaborative personality who can engage and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Self-directed, with the ability to lead and also function well in a cooperative small-team environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and activities.
• Proficiency with fundraising database software, Microsoft Office, and other standard office software.
• Enthusiasm for conservation and the mission, goals, and values of Sycamore Land Trust.
• Experience with conservation fundraising and knowledge of Indiana is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and carry 20 lbs.
• Ability to use a keyboard with sufficient dexterity to type 40 words per minute.
• Ability to stand for periods of time.
• Ability to sit for periods of time.
• Ability to see aided or unaided sufficiently to use a monitor and read documents.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license, demonstrated safe driving record, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel throughout southern Indiana.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Compliance with Sycamore’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. Accommodations for disability- and religious-based reasons will be considered.

COMPENSATION

$70,000 to $85,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits including health insurance, Simple IRA with employer matching, paid vacation and sick time, travel reimbursement, a flexible work environment, and a comfortable office located in a beautiful mid-century modern house on a wooded property on the edge of Bloomington.