Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association Director of Development
Annual Salary: $75,000- $85,000 DOE
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Exempt
Created: September 2023
About Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association
Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association (TCCSEA) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of community members dedicated to developing and supporting lifelong passion for human-powered activities and the natural world. Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area (Tahoe XC) is a public benefit corporation which provides a year-round recreation hub near Tahoe City. Together, Tahoe XC and TCCSEA are on course for dynamic growth and change, including an ongoing $15M capital project to construct a new lodge and trailhead that will host TCCSEA programs and Tahoe XC activities.
Primary Function:
The Director of Development leads all major gift functions including capital campaign implementation, donor research and cultivation. With concrete support from experienced volunteers and staff, the position will implement plans and strategies developed by professional fundraisers toward securing the financial sustainability of the organization.
The Director of Development is a key leader in motivating and coordinating staff and Campaign Committee volunteers toward the highest return fundraising efforts, including major gift donor strategy development, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.? The position can rely on an executive fundraising coach to leverage constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people, including management, donors, volunteers, public and private sector colleagues, and partners including financial/legal advisors.
The Director of Development joins an organization with an inclusive, collaborative, professional, and dynamic culture. Tahoe XC is dedicated to the North Lake Tahoe community and to a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future for residents and visitors.
Responsibilities & Scope:
- Lead strategic fundraising initiatives focused on the capital campaign for the organization’s new lodge. This ongoing campaign has created substantial organizing effort and experienced initial success.
- With mentor guidance, implement and manage the existing capital campaign strategy developed by a professional consultant team. The strategy creates sector targets including lead and major donor potential, public agency grants, and corporation donations, among others.
- Initial campaign target of $1 million - $3 million from private sources is a high priority.
- Lead or assist Campaign Committee members to develop, submit, and implement written grant requests to public agencies, private foundations, and corporate interests.
- Develop and lead a broad-based public phase for the capital campaign after the fundraising objectives of the quiet phase and public agency funding phase have been achieved.
- Collaborate with the communications team for outreach to existing and potential donors and to track all donor communication activity.
- Manage the donor database and ensure proper guidelines, policies and ethical practices are used for fundraising, record keeping, and data entry.
- Serve on the organization and project leadership teams to maintain budget and fundraising plans, evaluate results, and develop corrective strategies as needed.
- Manage strategic funding initiatives through collaboration with stakeholders and partner organizations, including initiating new ideas and new partnerships to broaden the organization’s funding base.
- Direct and/or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- As the capital campaign objectives are achieved, the position will transition into a leadership role for developing and securing annual support.
Desired Qualifications:
1. 3-5 years related fundraising experience, which can include capital campaigns or other high value donor relationship fundraising.
2. Enthusiasm and energy to lead a diverse team of staff and volunteers toward a signature goal.
3. Knowledge of, and commitment to, best practices in land stewardship, forest health and reciprocity.
4. Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as individuals, foundations, and corporations.
5. Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
6. Experience, coursework, or other training in, principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns and major gifts. Support for obtaining certification in fundraising practices can be negotiated.
7. Excellent communication and writing skills via presentations, conversations, and documents.
8. Knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.
9. Computer literacy and knowledge of donor databases or ease in learning database basics. Tahoe XC and the lodge project uses Network for Good for this purpose.
10. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative skills.
11. Self-starter; able to work independently, and as part of a team.
12. Ability to feel and exude the pulse of life in North Lake Tahoe, either as a resident or on a remote work basis.
For Inquiries or to send resume:
Sue Rae Irelan, Tahoe Cross Country Lodge Project Finance Team Leader at sueraeirelan@tahoexc.org or
Ben Grasseschi, Executive Director at ben@tahoexc.org
Please include a Cover Letter, Diversity Statement, and 3 References with your Resume.
This position will remain open until filled.
