Development Director

Time Frame: Review begins January 16, 2025, position open until filled

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is a nonprofit organization that strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy.We run the Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown® marketing campaign, educate the public about buying local, provide training and support for farmers, and partners to increase access to local food across race, class, and geography in our region.

Our team has a range of skills and life experiences. We work to build a diverse and resilient food economy with viable farms, fair and just working conditions, strong environmental stewardship, and equitable local food access in all of our communities. We are committed to understanding the history and current impacts of racism in the food system and actively work towards equity and justice. We strive to recruit and retain creative, ethical, smart, and innovative people and to cultivate an inclusive and diverse culture.

CISA’s development work is an integral part of our mission to strengthen local farms and engage the community in building the local food economy. We seek broad community participation in our development activities and work to develop long-term relationships with our supporters.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This is an opportunity to join a talented group of dedicated people working to make positive change locally and serving as a model for other regions. CISA has successfully engaged the community in supporting this important work. You’ll have the chance to creatively and strategically evolve the organization’s development program, to expand its strong donor base, and to ensure that its donor events and donor-focused communications reflect its mission and value. You’ll get to interact with a variety of people and groups, throughout the Connecticut River Valley and beyond.

The Development Director works with the Executive Director and the management team in carrying out the mission of the organization, and in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Board members to achieve CISA’s fundraising goals.

Our ideal candidate recognizes the value of fundraising to an organization with strong community support. They enjoy engaging donors and garnering support for the mission; managing events, campaigns, and other fundraising strategies; and providing strategic direction as part of a dynamic team. The candidate is comfortable making an ask in a range of settings and is a capable project manager who can juggle and prioritize multiple projects and think strategically. They have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and they love networking with people.

Essential Job Functions

• Providing strategic direction and management for CISA’s individual and corporate fundraising efforts;
• Managing the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts;
• Planning and executing donor and development-focused events and communications;
• Creating strategies to increase support from donors, businesses, and other sources; and,
• Researching, writing and managing foundation grants.

Other Job Functions

• Develop and track annual Development budget; work with Executive Director to set annual fundraising goals; coordinate with Deputy Director and bookkeeper to ensure financial transactions, reports, and the annual audit are accurate.
• Take an active role in the management team and contribute to strategic planning and other initiatives relating to CISA’s mission and vision. Keep current on CISA’s current program areas.
• Grow the community of people who understand CISA’s work and want to engage with the organization. Represent CISA at events and meetings.
• Work closely with communications staff to help develop consistent messaging to donors and the public; lead development of donor-focused communications.
• Analyze and report on fundraising progress to the Executive Director and the Development Committee.
• Manage the Development Committee of board and community members.
• Supervise the Office Administrator and Development Coordinator, who provide key administrative support for processing gifts, event management, donor engagement and solicitation support, and office infrastructure.

OTHER DUTIES
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

REPORTING and SUPERVISION
This position reports to the Executive Director and provides direct supervision to the Office Administrator and Development Coordinator. Other supervision, as assigned.

HOURS AND COMPENSATION
Salary is $87,000-$95,000, depending on experience. This is a full-time 40 hours/week, non-exempt position. Health care, vision, dental, long-term disability, 401K matching, sick time, holidays, and vacation are offered.  Access to a car and occasional weekend and evening availability are required. 

CISA is currently operating with a hybrid office model with at least two days a week in the office. We allow staff flexibility in their regular schedules and understand that flexibility can support a healthy work-life balance. Travel within CISA’s service area (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, MA) for donor meetings, outreach activities, and events will be required.

Writing samples and references may be requested.

CISA is an equal opportunity employer. CISA will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with CISA on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.

To apply, please complete applicant questions and attach your resume via our online application portal: https://form.jotform.com/243513578243054

CISA no longer requires cover letters and will not review them. Instead, we ask applicants to answer specific questions (see below) to allow us to get to know you and your interest in this position. General questions can be sent to:Roisin@buylocalfood.org.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

• Please share why you are interested in CISA’s mission.
• Describe how you are a good fit for CISA’s Development Director position. Include details about how your strengths would help advance CISA’s mission through this position.
• Describe your relevant experience in development leadership including donor fundraising, events and grant writing.
• Describe relevant experience with identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals?
• Share if and how you’ve addressed racial equity through your work (formal employment, volunteer/community work, or in other settings).
• Tell us about your connection to Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties in Massachusetts and what motivates you to apply for a position in this region. If you are not familiar with our region, what interests you about working here, and how might you gain familiarity with the region?
• How/where did you hear about this job?

QUALIFICATIONS
Specifically, we are looking for the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, or four years of equivalent experience PLUS:
  • At least three years of proven experience playing a major role, with some time leading a development program, including direct or transferable experience in soliciting major donors, annual fund drives, events, stewardship, and donor communications;
  • Experience with grant writing.
• Proven development skills: ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit current and potential donors through one-one-one asks, written appeals, and events.
• Ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage staff.
• Ability to delegate responsibility and authority and clearly define expectations for supervisees and other staff.
• Networking and listening skills that allow the Development Director to bring other perspectives and ideas to the organization.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Excellent planning, prioritizing, and organizing skills with a track record of achieving financial goals.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and diverse racial, cultural, professional, and economic backgrounds.
• Teamwork skills – brings up issues of concern and works towards solutions with others.

Other Skills/Abilities
It’s a plus if you speak Spanish or have other skills or experience that can help further CISA’s mission to more equitably serve those working in agriculture and local food businesses. You don’t have to have direct experience in agriculture, but if you do that’s great!