Are you a strong writer and strong project manager? Do you want to make a big difference for the natural world of Midcoast Maine? Midcoast Conservancy has an opportunity for you to raise funds to support this mission as our Development Writer & Coordinator.

Organizational Information:

Midcoast Conservancy is an innovative conservation organization with the mission to protect and restore vital lands and waters on a scale that matters. The ideal applicant for this role will be passionate about all three pillars of our work in Midcoast Maine: land conservation, water protection, and connecting families to the outdoors. Midcoast Conservancy was formed in January 2016 with the merger of four local conservation organizations (then in 2019 expanded when a fifth merged!). Our organization serves the 28 town / 450 square mile area of rural Lincoln and Waldo counties, and has a membership of approximately 2,000. Our 2022 budget is about $1.3 million, with 13 permanent staff, ~6 seasonal staff, and ~250 dedicated volunteers implementing our mission.

Position Summary:

The person in this position will compellingly present Midcoast Conservancy’s programs and mission to potential grant funders, and implement the entire arc of our grants program from research to reporting. This will take the majority of the role’s time. Additional tasks include drafting and managing the annual appeal communications, acknowledgment letter templates, and other occasional fundraising writing needs. The strongest candidates will not only be superb writers, but will also display success at detailed project management and long-term external professional relationship-building. Tasks are illustrative of the nature of the position and other tasks may be required.

Key Duties:

• Continually research, identify, present, and maintain information on sources of public and private grant opportunities that align with Midcoast Conservancy’s mission. Maintain a master file of pending, existing, and past grants and contracts.
• Maintain positive relationships with funders and other stakeholders.
• Gather subject matter and data pertinent to supporting grant applications.
• Manage the grant application management and tracking system. Manage program staff regarding submissions and reporting for grant applications to ensure quality and timeliness.
• Develop grant proposals, write grant applications to secure operating and program funds, gather supporting documentation, create grant budgets as necessary with program and finance staff, and submit applications to granting agencies in a timely manner, meeting all agency guidelines/requirements.
• Maintain records and submit reports related to grant opportunities, in coordination with program and finance staff.
• Plan and implement fundraising campaigns such as the annual year-end appeal, including setting goals; developing key documents in coordination with our Communications staff, graphic designer, and outside print vendor; developing appropriate gift pyramids; identifying top prospects; and analyzing campaign results.
• Work closely with the Database Coordinator who ensures that the donor database is properly organized and maintained for purposes of efficient data entry, management, and creation of reports and analyses.
• Collaborating with Database Coordinator to ensure that all donor acknowledgements are fresh, prompt, thoughtful, and meet all IRS and Accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate the bimonthly Membership and Development Committee meetings and supporting documents.
• Other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director and Executive Director.

All staff contribute to the following:

• Occasionally create content in partnership with Communications staff for newsletters, press releases and social media related to their work.
• Engage in conversations to discover what the community cares about.
• Act as an ambassador for the organization within the community.
• May be staff representative for any of the five Local Councils to assist in development or implementation of programs related to their work.
• Work with colleagues within the organization on outreach to various constituents by attending events, giving presentations, and participating in organizational programs.
• Coordinate volunteers related to their work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree with 5 years related experience, or equivalent professional experience showing success in the following:

• Strong organization skills, accuracy, and attention to detail, in all aspects of work from project management deadlines to file systems.
• Compelling professional writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with constituents such as donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Experience asking for and closing major gifts.
• Ease of use with budgets, both creating and interpreting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Docs and Sheets and Drive.
• Efficient research skills.
• Ability to generate funding reports from within a fundraising database and interpret the data. Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge NXT (Blackbaud) is a plus.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive donor and organizational information.
• Ability to succeed and be productive independently and as part of a team.
• You should have passion and knowledge related to at least some of the following: the Midcoast Maine region, environmentalism, land conservation, water protection, social justice.
• Comfort working in the inclusive, innovative, and adventurous work environment of Midcoast Conservancy!

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• 8+ years related experience, demonstrating success in identifying, applying for, and receiving grants from public and private sources.
• Experience with project management software.
• Knowledge or recent training r.e. current trends in the fundraising and conservation fields.

Location:

We are currently operating largely remotely, but in the long run (timeline to be determined by the course of this pandemic) this position would be located in our Edgecomb, Maine office. If not already local, all candidates must be willing and able to relocate here.

Schedule:

This position is full-time, salaried, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. A flexible work schedule (hours and/or location) can be discussed and possibly accommodated with supervisor approval.

Benefits & Salary:

Midcoast Conservancy offers health insurance (paying 75% of the employee’s health premium as well as 50% of any family premium), dental, and vision; retirement savings including 5% matching, after one year of employment; 17 paid holidays a year (including the week between Christmas and New Years off); 15 days of vacation annually; 5 sick days; professional development opportunities; and more! We are committed to supporting the whole human selves of each of our staff family, and are actively improving the organization’s employee support systems and benefits. The salary for this position will be in the range of $48K to $52K.

Equal Opportunity:

People of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ candidates, undocumented residents, and other people of oppressed groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace.

Qualified individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply: We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 5:00 PM, April 8, 2022, or until the position is filled.

How to Apply:

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to Air Rhodes, Deputy Director, at air@midcoastconservancy.org. If you become a finalist, you will at that point also need to provide a professional writing sample and list of 3 references.