Vice president of Development

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the first and only national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to helping America’s farmers and ranchers protect their land, produce a healthier environment and build successful communities. AFT is the leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation and the source of information that enables communities and individuals to support healthy farms, healthy food and a healthy environment.

Our headquarters are located in Washington, DC, with regional offices in New York, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Illinois, California and the Pacific Northwest. The fifty-member staff works with farmers and their communities to achieve farmland protection and resource conservation at the state and local levels, and educate the public about sustainable farming practices and the need to protect farmland, the environment and local food.

AFT concentrates its efforts on where the need is most urgent and where success can have the greatest impact.  We help states and communities identify and protect farmland through effective planning and work with farmers and ranchers to increase the environmental benefits of farmland through sound land stewardship.

In addition to our work at the national level to transform farm and food policy, AFT recently embarked on two new initiatives to further our mission:  Agriculture & Environment which helps the nation’s farmers and ranchers address environmental issues while exploring economic opportunities; Growing Local which works with farmers and communities to save farmland, improve the outlook for local agriculture, and meet the burgeoning demand for local food.

AFT is an $8 million private nonprofit organization and depends on individuals, foundations, corporations and government grants to fund operations.

AFT seeks an experienced and dynamic individual to fill the position of Vice President of Development.  This person will be the organization’s chief fundraising strategist while providing overall direction and implementation for membership, major gifts, foundations, corporations, government support and planned giving.  The Vice President will provide internal management of the Development Department, providing support and supervision to staff while working to develop an integrated fundraising operation.

As a member of the senior management team, s/he will be an integral player in developing the organization’s long-range strategic and operational planning, programming and budgeting. Working closely with the Board and President, this person will develop the organization’s fundraising direction while managing and leading major gift cultivation and solicitation. 

The VP will oversee the twelve-member staff currently established for the Development Department.  S/he reports to the President, Mr. Jon Scholl.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the organization’s chief fundraising strategist working with the President and Board of Directors to establish and execute long-range strategic and annual operating priorities.
• Coordinate all fundraising activities of the organization including effectively using senior leadership and the Board to meet AFT’s fundraising goals.
• Lead and direct the Development Department’s annual planning, goal setting and budget process.
• Oversee hiring, management and evaluation of the Development staff.  Provide staff with coaching, training and professional development opportunities.
• Build and maintain his/her own portfolio of major gift donors. Spend at least 60% of time in direct fundraising independently and/or with another staff member or volunteer leader.
• Serve as a member of the Management Team engaging with peers to help ensure fundraising success and to help implement the organization’s strategic plan.
• Staff Development and Marketing Committee as well as Recruitment Subcommittee of the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS

At least The Vice President of Development will be an accomplished development professional and an energetic leader who has an understanding of and passion for the mission of AFT.  In addition, the ideal candidate should demonstrate the following:

• A minimum of ten years of experience, CRFE preferred, and proven success in major gift, foundation, corporate, government, membership and planned giving fundraising;
• Record of achievement as a major gift fundraiser, including the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of $10,000+ donors;
• Experience with having served on a senior management team with a track record of collaboration;
• Experience in working with a Board of Directors to further fundraising;
• Strong communication and presentation skills;
• Knowledge of planning, finance, budgeting, and development information systems;
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and nationally (60%);
• Creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility;
• Knowledge of environmental and conservation issues;
• Unquestioned personal integrity and professional reputation; and
• A baccalaureate degree is required; an advanced degree is a plus, as is record of continuing professional development.

COMPENSATION

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and record of successful achievement.

APPLICATION

Inquiries, applications and nominations should be directed to:

Kathie Lwanga
Executive Assistant to the President
klwanga@farmland.org
( P ) 202.378.1208  ( F )  202.659.8339