The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Donor Stewardship Coordinator in the Development Department to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis, MD.

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 210 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 $30 million and is supported by over 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Development

The mission of Development is to provide finan­cial resources for CBF to meet its long-term vision of saving the Bay. It establishes and implements strategies to motivate donors to contribute to the organization’s programs and projects through two primary areas of activity: development and membership

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The Donor Stewardship Coordinator plays a vital role in CBF’s donor stewardship program, focusing on ensuring an excellent donor experience and growing the relationship between CBF and its donors by thanking them, educating them, and engaging them. The Coordinator primarily focuses on administering CBF’s donor acknowledgment process for high-level donors. In addition, the Coordinator manages the endowment reporting process and assists in the development and management of various stewardship related tasks.

 

Essential functions include:

  • Manages the gift acknowledgement process for high-level donors:
  1. Manages gift acknowledgements for mid-level donors, major donors, corporate and foundation donors, promotional and sponsorship relationships, signature events, staff giving and other special gifts as necessary.
  2. Writes appropriate templates and customized letters consistent with organizational messaging and priorities and recognizing the donor’s intent. Coordinating with gift officers to ensure accuracy and personalization.
  3. Maintains swift turn-around of acknowledgements (two business days from the time the gift is posted), always with an eye to accuracy and efficiency.
  4. Maintains data integrity by ensuring any new contact, biographical, recognition, or reporting requirements are recorded appropriately in the customer relationship management database (CRM) and recording appropriate correspondences in the database. Maintains files of internal and external correspondence. Alerts appropriate staff to other pertinent information contained in the gift documentation.
  5.  Leads the development of formal donor recognition listings, including CBF’s Annual Report donor list.

 

  • Manages CBF’s endowment reporting process:
  1. Manages preparation and mailing of annual endowment reports, thanking donors and updating them on associated financials and programs supported.
  2. Maintains data integrity by ensuring any new contact, biographical, recognition, or reporting requirements are recorded appropriately in the CRM database and recording appropriate correspondences in the CRM. Maintains files of internal and external correspondence.
  • Assists in the development and continued evolution of stewardship plans for various giving levels and revenue sources, ensuring the appropriate treatment of events, mailings and other educational or engagement opportunities.
  1. Supports the production of personalized stewardship opportunities based on giving level, capacity, and interest
  2. Provides support for recognition and stewardship events, including receptions and field-based discovery trips for members and donors.
  3. Manages naming opportunity records in the CRM database.
  4. Research top stewardship programs, best practices, and innovative stewardship ideas and communication opportunities and integrates and implements where possible to continue to improve the overall donor experience.
  5. Maintains files of external correspondences and utilizes the CRM database to manage and track appropriate actions associated with the program.
  6. Develops regular updates summarizing recently completed stewardship projects and upcoming plans as part of the ongoing effort to share information and work collaboratively with the whole development team.
  • Secondary Functions:
  1. Assists department with special projects as identified.
  2. Assumes other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

 

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

 

One year of fundraising or related experience required. Attention to detail, efficiency, and excellent writing skills are essential. Candidate has excellent communication and collaboration skills, and is highly organized, flexible, and resourceful. Must be able to make decisions and exercise sound judgement. Knowledge of CRM databases and proficiency in computer systems, MS Office software, and standard office equipment required. Telework one day per week optional. Must maintain a regular work schedule, expecting only limited vacation December through mid-January.

Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.  Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers. Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

 

 

Salary Range:  $45,000

 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website. This position will be open until filled.

 

CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 2 floating holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution.

 

The CBF Telework policy goes into effect until January 3, 2022. It is the expectation for this position is to be in the office 4 days a week and one optional telework day per week. Please note there will be limited vacation allowed in December through mid- January due end of year giving.

 

 

CBF requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  The successful candidate will need to submit verification of vaccination or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.

 

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE

 

Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.

 

To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:

 

  • Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
  • Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
  • Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
  • Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.

 

CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.