Development Associate, Scenic Hudson – New York

Organization: Scenic Hudson

Position Title: Development Associate—Systems and Research

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York

Dates and compensation: Full time, with competitive salary and benefits.

Application Deadline: Position open until filled (Posted January 13, 2015)

Description: Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with 50 employees and more than 25,000 ardent members, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley’s inspiring beauty and natural resources.

We are guided by these enduring principles:

• Everyone deserves opportunities to experience the Hudson River, to enjoy open space and to have a voice in decisions affecting their community.
• The beauty of the Hudson River Valley is a unique source of spiritual and artistic vitality and must be preserved forever.
• An outstanding quality of life is achievable only when a clean, healthy environment is a key component of economic growth.

Responsibilities:

• Keep Raiser’s Edge data input current, including tracking foundation guidelines, deadlines, reporting requirements, write queries, contact and cultivation activity;
• Generate ticklers for needed individual and foundation-related actions to appropriate staff and board members;
• Responsible for meeting multiple grant application and reporting deadlines and for helping to maintain up-to-date procedural guidelines for targeted funding sources;
• Research individuals, board prospects, foundation and corporate grant prospects, analyze funding opportunities and summarize findings, recommend priorities and strategies for funding requests;
• Develop new prospect sources and stay current on fundraising research tools;
• Prepare detailed mailing lists for Foundation/Corporation annual reports and newsletter exclusions, gala and other events throughout the year, or for special projects such as the Foodshed Conservation Plan distribution.
• Keep informed of, and well versed on, issues internally and externally that relate to Scenic Hudson, its current projects and its mission;
• Prepare briefing and presentation materials for meetings with individuals, foundation and corporate funders (i.e. portfolio and PowerPoint preparation);
• Assist with revenue budgeting process annually, and track progress on foundation/corporation funding requests and commitments as the year progresses. Coordinates with Finance Department to ensure consistency with funding allocations across fiscal years. Create and maintain analyses that measure ‘fundraising success’ across a range of timeframes and indicators;
• Prepare analyses of grant expenditures, staff allocations and deliverables for grant management and budgeting purposes;
• Work with Vice President, Assistant Directors and staff to develop project budgets and budget reconciliations;
• Provide support to other Development Department staff as needed;
• Staff special events (a shared responsibility of all Development staff), which from time to time fall on weekends and evenings

Qualifications: The qualified candidate will have first-rate communications, organization and analytical skills and be highly proficient in Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat. Prior fundraising experience, research and image editing preferred.

The ability to work under deadline, set and maintain priorities is essential. The ideal candidate will be a collegial team player who is capable of working independently to manage a variety of projects and administrative systems simultaneously, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

How to Apply: Please send resumé and brief writing sample to: [email protected]. No phone calls please. Scenic Hudson is an EOE promoting cultural diversity and excellence.