THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.

CBF has a staff of approximately 190 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.

CBF’s headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

CBF has an annual budget of approximately $26 million and is supported by more than 275,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

 

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The individual in this position will seek private funding support for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) annual operating needs and Making History campaign initiatives by focusing on the donor base in central Virginia with an emphasis on individuals giving $5,000 or more annually and building relationships that also engage a number of corporate and foundation donors. Function as a collaborative member of the Development team and the Major Gift unit. This position will be based out of CBF’s Richmond, VA office, with travel throughout the Richmond to Charlottesville corridor.

Essential functions include:

Seek private funding support for annual operating needs and campaign initiatives.

  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 prospects and suspects capable of making major gift commitments at the $25,000 plus level with a focus on securing gifts and pledges of $5,000 or more annually. Approximately 80% of the Director’s time will focus on fundraising from individual donors.
  • Work with the Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) unit to support efforts to target foundations and corporations in Virginia for outright gifts, sponsorship and cause-related marketing ventures. Provide on-site coordination to assist and support the CFR Public Grants Officer in timely budget development, deliverables and reporting for public grants.   Approximately thirty percent of the Director’s time will focus on fundraising from corporations and foundations.
  • Visit approximately 15 donors/prospects every month to fully engage CBF donors.
  • Conduct discovery calls to qualify potential donors and determine capacity and inclination to give.
  • Identify suitable matches between CBF programs and a donor’s fund­ing objectives.
  • Engage donors and prospects in events and field activities as part of the cultivation and stewardship process.
  • Serve as an effective and recognized representative of CBF in Virginia.

Engage and manage CBF program staff, volunteers, and trustees in the development process.

  • Work closely with colleagues in CBF’s Virginia, Hampton Roads, Washington, DC, Maryland, and Pennsylvania offices, engaging them in cultivating and stewarding donors.
  • Work with CBF volunteers to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
  • Collaborate with other CBF Development team members to: shape fundraising strategies for specific donors; report on progress with assigned donors as part of regularly scheduled prospect management meetings; and provide accurate revenue projections for progress toward key team goals.

Help to develop CBF’s membership and overall base of support throughout the watershed region.

  • Facilitate outreach events in Virginia working with appropriate Development staff. Events are to educate and cultivate prospects and steward members and donors.
  • Promote local CBF activities and accomplishments to donors and prospects to strengthen the CBF brand.
  • Develop an understanding of local and state environmental concerns and be able to articulate CBF’s position and statement of need. Coordinate such messages into membership and annual fund messaging.

Monitors and oversees program expense budgets, ensuring proper approval and coding of expenses.

Other duties as assigned.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor’s degree and minimum of five years’ experience with major gift solicitation and campaign experience. Successful candidate will demonstrate excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; experience with preparation of funding requests; an ability to work effectively with volunteers; an ability to work as a member of a fundraising team. Proficiency in computer systems and knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising software preferable.   Experience in a mission driven, environmental advocacy and educational organization is desirable. Planned giving experience welcome but not required.

 To apply, please send application through job posting here on CBF website.

This position will be open until filled by a suitable candidate.

 

CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred retirement plan. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.