Director of Development

Tree Trust is seeking candidates for the role of Director of Development.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will lead strategy and operations for Tree Trust fundraising. They will work with the Executive Director to develop and implement an annual fundraising plan which achieves growth in individual and institutional giving and will foster a Tree Trust culture that values and prioritizes the fundraising that enables the organization to achieve its mission.

The Director of Development will be responsible for the following annual revenue in philanthropy: $3.4M grants, $250,000 corporate, $250,000 foundations, $150,000 individuals. The position will prioritize growing individual donations and securing major gifts of $10,000 and above. These targets will be reviewed and adjusted annually.

Our Mission

Tree Trust's mission is to transform lives and landscapes by engaging people to build skills for meaningful careers, inspiring people to plant trees, and making out community a greener, healthier place to live.

Our Vision

Our vision is a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet.

Our Focus

These core focus areas are what guide our work every day and inform how we best serve our community.

Pathways to Careers

• We equip people to achieve family-supporting, skilled trade, green careers to create economic opportunity and equity.

Planting Trees

• We are committed to planting trees to grow a vibrant and resilient urban forest.

Partnership

• Our model of work is collaborative - with each other, with our community partners, and with the people we serve.

Tree Trust History

Tree Trust was created in 1976 to address two problems in the Twin Cities: the devastation of Dutch elm disease to the urban tree canopy and the high unemployment and poverty rates for youth and adults at the time. Tree Trust began combating these two issues by hiring unemployed individuals and training them to plant trees and reforest the Twin Cities urban landscape. Since then, Tree Trust has expanded to offer integrated employment training, case management, community forestry, and environmental education programs.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising (90%)

• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop and implement an annual fundraising plan which achieves growth in individual and institutional giving.
• Help create annual fundraising goal.
• Oversee research and identification of potential new donors.
• Implement and guide techniques to increase the number of individual and institutional donors.
• Work with the Executive Director and board to build relationships with new donors.
• Work with the Executive Director and board to strengthen and sustain relationships with existing donors to improve retention.
• Direct the preparation and submission of corporate, foundation and government funding proposals.
• Manage corporate, foundation and government grants, including cultivation, recognition, and reporting.
• Facilitate annual fundraising campaigns.
• Develop corporate sponsorship packages and secure sponsors.

• Lead planning of fundraising event strategy.
• Lead planning of each fundraising event with department, program, or project team support and oversee event budget.
• Ensure fundraising practices (solicitation, acceptance, recording, reporting, and use/stewarding of funds) meet ethical standards.
• Ensure responsible use of funds.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations for fundraising best practices.

• Demonstrate sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.

Leadership & Administration (10%)

• Foster a Tree Trust culture that values and prioritizes the fundraising that enables the organization to achieve its mission.
• Grow staff and board capacity to fundraise and accountability for fundraising.
• Oversee the creation of metrics and KPIs for the development team to track and analyze progress towards achieving revenue goals.
• Ensure effective reporting to leadership team, Executive Director, and board.
• Attend and contribute to staff, leadership, and board meetings as needed.

• Develop and monitor fundraising department budgets.

What you will get from this role:

• The Director of Development is instrumental in achieving Tree Trust's mission and vision. You will have a direct influence on the young people we serve, the communities we partner with and the reforestation of our metro area urban canopy.
• Excellent benefits package includes Vacation, Sick, 10 paid holidays, 401(k), 3 Health Insurance options, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Voluntary additional life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Disability, and an FSA.
• Based out of Tree Trust's office in St. Paul, this role will require you to be where the work is, collaborating with the team here at the office, making calls from home, or attending meetings and events to tell our story.
• Tree Trust offers a collaborative, supportive, and productive yet fun work culture. In a recent employee survey 97%+ of respondents reported that "my supervisor sets a good example at work," "I am encouraged to participate in solving problems at work," and "I understand how the work I do aligns with Tree Trust's mission."
• The anticipated salary range for this position is $75,000 - $95,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Tree Trust actively seeks to build a staff that reflects the diversity of the population and community it serves, and that's why we strongly encourage people of color to apply.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you are unable to submit your resume due to a disability, contact hr@treetrust.org to request an accommodation or alternate application process.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to transform lives and landscapes by engaging people to build skills for meaningful careers, inspiring people to plant trees, and making our community a greener, healthier place to live.
• 5+ years demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and achieving annual fund goals, securing major gifts and sponsorships from individuals and institutions, writing and securing grants, and managing events.
• 5+ years leadership experience.
• Track record of securing individual gifts of $5,000 and above

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and interest in the areas of workforce development and environmental stewardship. Ability to work effectively with others to meet organizational goals.
• Skill in active listening, problem solving and persuasion.
• Skill in teaching/coaching techniques.
• Efficient organizational and planning skills.

• Effective time management and ability to prioritize work.
• Ability and willingness to respond constructively to rapid change.
• Ability to lead by example and to mentor and guide others.
• Ability to travel frequently within the Twin Cities metro area (daily, weekly.)
• Proficient with technology including Salesforce, MS Teams, video conferencing, MS Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong philanthropic relationships with local donors/funders preferred.