New Director of Philanthropy and Events Manager

Ellen Johnson Mosley

In her previous role as Director of Development at Great Plains Nature Center, Ellen oversaw corporate and foundation relations, major gifts, grant writing, and annual fund development. She previously coordinated educational events and youth orchestra concerts at the Wichita Symphony. Ellen also serves as a Lecturer in Wichita State University’s Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, teaching the Fundraising and Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations to M.P.A. students. She looks forward to meeting all of you!

Position Description:

Audubon of Kansas (AOK) is seeking a motivated individual with a passion for supporting environmental conservation. As a member of AOK’s leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy will create, execute, and evaluate all philanthropy strategies to ensure sustainable revenue to support AOK’s mission. The Director will cultivate donors and donor trust through effective communications and confidentiality. They will also help coordinate AOK’s events (Celebration of Cranes, Kansas Lek Treks Prairie-Chicken Festival, friend-raising events, donor workshops, board meetings, etc.) to strengthen relationships with new and existing stakeholders. 

This is a full-time, work-from-home position of 40 hours per week on a flexible schedule. This position requires creativity and innovation and a close working relationship with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.  To effectively communicate the impact of the organization to donors, it is expected that the person in this position will gain an understanding of AOK’s wildlife management philosophy, the basis of the organization’s positions on legislative and regulatory issues related to the environment, and our environmental education initiatives.

As with all AOK positions, it is expected that the mission, core values and vision are exemplified by the individual filling this role.

Required qualifications

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to AOK’s mission.
• A college degree in any field or a comparable amount of relevant work experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to develop donor trust and maintain donor confidentiality.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to think strategically and manage multiple projects.
• Organized, reliable, and self-motivated with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and databases.
• Keen interest in learning and developing as a professional, staying on top of best practice research.
• Must live in Kansas and be willing to travel occasionally throughout the state.

Desired qualifications

• Experience in fundraising through in-person, direct mail, social media, online events or campaigns to retain and expand membership.
• Acquaintance with planned giving including monetary and land donations.
• Familiarity with donor recruitment and retention strategies.
• Involvement with managing donor databases and donor management software.
• Experience with event management software.

Specific Duties

Fundraising (40%)

• Participates in a wide range of philanthropic work, including solicitation and stewardship of individual, foundation, and corporate donors and potential donors.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates fund-raising campaigns and special events.
• Enthusiastically and successfully engages in one-on-one solicitation and ongoing donor stewardship.
• Prepares marketing strategies and materials.
• Incorporates fund-raising into currently-offered events or develops new events with large fundraising potential.
• Solicits in-kind goods and services as needed.
• Coordinates planned giving including identifying planned gift prospects, organizing materials for solicitation, and communicating with potential donors.
• Involves the Board in meaningful ways to expand the circle of support.
• Maintains a comprehensive schedule of grant opportunities and deadlines.
• Works collaboratively with Executive Director to prepare quality grant requests.

Stewardship (20%)

• Sends out ‘thank you’ letters in a timely manner.
• Reviews ‘thank you’ process annually.
• Monitors the compliance with donor gift intent.
• Oversees donor database.

Event Management (30%)

• Prepare Cvent software to handle registrations, test registration site, monitor registrations, assist participants with registration process, and create reports
• Help with logistics of the event which may include, but is not limited to, reserving vans, organizing volunteers, coordinating catering, etc.
• Prepare press releases, outreach, and social media.

Operations (5%)

• Advises the Board on the organization and execution of any campaigns.
• Prepares annual report.
• Attends meetings of the Board of Trustees, presents reports, and provides input as appropriate.
• Participates in long range planning and annual budgeting.

Other Duties as assigned (5%)

• Other duties as assigned based on the individual’s interests and skills and AOK’s needs.

Benefits

Salary $45,000-$60,000 based on experience

Paid vacation with flexible work hours averaging 40 hours/week

3% retirement match

Health care stipend

Cell phone allowance

Ongoing training opportunities

Description of Audubon of Kansas

Audubon of Kansas (AOK) is an independent grassroots nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that promotes appreciation and stewardship of natural ecosystems in Kansas and the central Great Plains, with special emphasis on conservation of prairies, birds, other wildlife, and their habitat. It is neither funded nor administered by the National Audubon Society.

AOK is made up of members and supporters from across the state of Kansas and beyond. AOK is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of conservation leaders, farmers and ranchers, and others who share a common interest in implementing AOK's mission and goals. AOK works throughout Kansas, Nebraska, and the central Great Plains, and both its members and Trustees come from numerous states across the region.

Although AOK is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, it works in partnership with local Audubon chapters and many other organizations. Representatives of local Kansas chapters serve on the Board of Trustees. AOK seeks to implement its goals by working cooperatively with individuals and groups representing a wide variety of interests including landowners, businesses, communities, policy makers and other conservation organizations.