Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Membership, the right candidate will share responsibility for developing and implementing exciting and effective strategies to increase individual major donor and planned gifts to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). The ATC is the sole nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining and preserving the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. The incumbent will work with the Membership and Development team as well as ATC program staff and volunteers to meet the yearly major donor fundraising goal. This position’s location is flexible. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Manage a revolving portfolio of 125 current and prospective major donor and planned giving prospects. Prepare and coordinate annual fundraising strategies, budget goals, calendar, and work plan for the major donor and planned giving programs. Establish and maintain a donor cultivation cycle and gift stewardship program, including recognition strategies to ensure major donors and prospects are cultivated, solicited and recognized appropriately, allowing opportunities to upgrade support and creating an atmosphere for close relationships to be built. Prepare written materials, including correspondence, solicitation materials, acknowledgements and regular communications as part of the stewardship program, including conference calls and other marketing materials as needed. Work with the Board of Directors and Executive Team and coordinate the President’s Advisory Circle under the direction of the VP of Development and Membership to provide support and enhance fundraising efforts. Maintain major donor prospect, planned giving prospect and other donor records in the ATC database. Conduct prospect research on current or prospective individual and planned giving prospects. Track and evaluate effectiveness of fundraising solicitations and programs. Lead an average of eight donor and membership events each year.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
Minimum five to seven years of successful major donor fundraising experience.
Proven success in securing six-figure gifts.
Proven success in planned giving preferred.
Certified Fund Raising Executive preferred.
Excellent persuasive writing skills.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
Competence with word processing, spreadsheet and database skills.
Ability to problem-solve and meet multiple deadlines.
High degree of initiative and a team player.