Summary: Join Sustainable Connections, an entrepreneurial non-profit organization made up of local businesses and community leaders transforming and modeling a local economy built on sustainable business practices. Provide your exceptional fundraising skills to support a community of business innovators in green building, local food, energy efficiency, supporting independent businesses, and mentoring a new breed of entrepreneurs that have designed their business with a sustainable vision. Sustainable Connections is a results-oriented, small team workplace located in downtown Bellingham.

The Development Manager position entails working closely with the Executive Director, program managers, members, funders and strategic partners to lead all development activities, including developing a major donor program and writing, managing and reporting on grants and contracts for various program areas within the organization. This person must be extremely organized and detail oriented, able to work well with others as well as work independently, and represent the organization in a professional and compelling way.

Essential Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and Program Managers on development and implementation of annual Fund Development plan

• Identify, define and develop funding sources to support existing and planned program activities in the areas of Food & Farming, Green Building & Smart Growth, Energy Efficiency & Renewables, Sustainable Business Practices and Thinking Local First

• Provide leadership to board and staff in order to secure sustained support from foundation, business, government, and individual sources

• Collaborate with Program Managers and execute the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, manage, report and invoice for contracts and foundation grants (approximately 15-20 per year)

• Communicate deliverables or restrictions established by funding sources with program managers, ensuring all aspects of the grant or contract are met

• Develop/maintain funder relationships

• Assist staff in developing and executing fundraising events

• Coordinate annual fundraising appeals

• Assist Executive Director and Program Managers in sponsor stewardship/cultivation

• Maintain a proactive, creative leadership role in researching, identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts and prospects

• Develop and manage a planned giving program

• Other related duties as assigned. We expect that this position will grow and evolve over time

Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate:

• Has great passion for the mission of Sustainable Connections

• Has development, grant writing, and fundraising experience including cultivating funder or customer relationships

• Has experience with fiscal management and reporting of state, local and/or federal contracts

• Has experience cultivating individual donors, and supporting a Board of Directors in these efforts

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to work proactively and independently; excels in an open office environment

• Has excellent interpersonal skills and an energy that attracts others; seeks to find and recognize the best in others, and works well in teams (we have a great team!)

• Has excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to represent Sustainable Connections in a professional manner with diverse constituencies

• Has the ability to distill and articulate complex information through outstanding writing, analytic and editing skills

• A self-starter who thrives on deadlines; can effectively manage multiple projects at a time

• Gets excited about big new ideas

• Highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes

• Has demonstrated strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database management skills.

• Has at a bachelor’s degree or at least two years of relevant work experience