MLR’s mission is to protect Minnesota’s lake and river heritage for current and future generations by forging powerful links among lakes, lake advocates and policy makers.

Compensation Range: $35,000 to $42,000 annual, based on educational achievement, previous experience and/or on ability to meet qualifications.

About Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR):

Since 1993, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers has connected lakeshore communities, local governments, and state agencies from Albert Lea to Grand Marais. Today, MLR is the trusted advisor and advocate for almost 300  lake associations and over 3,000 individual members statewide.

This robust coalition of members reflects Minnesota as a whole, with 48% being Democratic and 46% being Republican. Our bipartisan work at the Capitol reflects that balance. Our members are anglers and recreationalists, environmentalists, and lakeshore property owners—all of whom are financially and emotionally vested in maintaining our state’s waters for current and future generations.

MLR is a civic organization as defined by the Midwest Active Citizenship Initiative. We know that building a strong civic infrastructure around our water resources is not only key to protecting public resources, but to achieving environmental justice. Within this Civic Organizing model, science and research guides our programs, communications, and policy initiatives. MLR is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to engage a mosaic of donors, volunteers, and staff that reflect the diversity of Minnesota.

This role is entry level and will serve as the catalyst for a successful career in non-profit fundraising and relationship management for the right candidate. The Development Coordinator will work with the MLR staff, board, and partners to advance our shared goals and strategic priorities, develop a civic work plan, and learn the civic governance model.

Minnesota Lakes and Rivers has three distinct branches which you will be working with: 

• Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates (MLRA) is a 501(c)4 that lobbies at the Minnesota Capitol; brings together lake associations, local government, and state agencies; and supports scientific research on water quality issues. MLRA is funded through memberships.
• Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Protection and Education, (MLR P&E) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that leads education and outreach programs to address aquatic invasive species (AIS), shoreline, and water quality issues. MLR P&E is funded through charitable giving (stock transfers, donor advised funds, grants, qualified charitable distributions, legacy gifts, etc.)

• The Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Political Action Committee (MLR PAC) supports candidates for office who value protecting Minnesota’s lake and river heritage with us. The PAC is only active during state and local election cycles.

All three organizations share a staff and Executive Director. The Development Coordinator will work across all three Minnesota Lakes and Rivers organizations: 501c3 , 501c4, and PAC. 

The duties of the Development Coordinator encompass several different jurisdictions:

Membership

• Develop membership mailing schedule,
• Create targeted membership mailing lists,
• Work with printer and mail house to send mailings on schedule,
• Write membership mailings,
• Track mailings,
• Monitor membership numbers and adjust membership direct mail strategy as needed,
• Manage MLR Customer Relationship Management platform (Databank) to avoid duplicates and add new contacts,
• Coordinate end of year follow-ups,
• Build relationships with lake association leadership.

Grants

• Maintain a grant calendar and identify future funding opportunities,
• Research and write grants,
• Connecting with partners and grantors about applications.

Individual Giving

• Meeting with foundations and high-networth individuals to advance the Water Connect Us All Campaign. 
• Encouraging tax-deductable giving through stock transfers, donor advised funds, grants, qualified charitable distributions, legacy gifts, etc,
• Donor research
• Maintaining records on the Databank CRM and generating acknowledgements,
• Work with the team to identify and develop new donors, manage donor engagement, and track ongoing donor stewardship,
• Manage GiveMN fundraising efforts.

Corporate Sponsorship

• Sponsor research, solicitation, and stewardship,
• Meeting with sponsors to develop new projects in accordance with MLR’s strategic priorities and programs.

Other

• Present at lake association meetings and tabling at events,
• Participate in MLR staff strategic planning and governance meetings,
• Work with the team to plan events and meetings: MLR annual meeting, webinars, and Aquatic Invaders Summits, etc.,
• Work with staff to develop infographics, signage, one pagers, and other promotional materials,
• Other duties as requested.

Qualifications:

• Optimistic for the future and a belief in science and democracy as the driving tools for improving our communities and protecting water,
• Demonstration of completion of an education goal – whether that is through a bachelor’s degree, a professional certification, or another demonstration to a commitment to a personal learning goal,
• Passion for protecting the environment and developing the civic leadership capacity of active citizens,
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
• Ability to help set and work within a budget,
• Familiarity with donor management systems for tracking stewardship and communications. MLR uses Databank,
• Attention to deadlines and processes and ability to prioritize, multitask, and work independently,
• Knowledge of social media and other communication and marketing tools,
• Proficiency in Google suite including Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Calendar,
• Ability to travel throughout the state (as needed) and work some evenings and weekends,
• Knowledge of nonprofits and demonstrated success guiding fundraising activities.