Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina’s (FCNC) Development Specialist must be passionate about land and water conservation and value the outdoors. Authenticity is key, along with a strong commitment to raising funds for FCNC’s mission through innovative marketing and development initiatives.

This full-time (40 hours/week, non-exempt) position plays a central role in advancing Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina’s mission by supporting donor engagement, fundraising operations, development activities, and events. This position serves as the primary administrator of FCNC’s donor database (Bloomerang) and is responsible for gift processing, acknowledgments, donor communications, reporting, and donor stewardship support. Working closely with the Marketing & Development Director and Executive Director, the Specialist helps identify and execute fundraising strategies, supports donor cultivation at all levels, and ensures a consistent, high-quality donor experience.

The position collaborates regularly with the Marketing & Development, Finance, and Community Engagement teams to advance departmental goals and daily operations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Donor Database & Development Operations:

• Serve as primary administrator of FCNC’s donor database (Bloomerang), ensuring accurate, punctual, and complete donor records.
• Process gifts and pledges; prepare acknowledgments in compliance with IRS requirements and Land Trust Alliance standards.
• Maintain donor communication, contacts, mailing lists, and interaction, and corresponding records; conduct routine data cleanup, consolidation and deduplication.
• Prepare fundraising and donor reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual) for staff leadership, Board, and Development Committee.
• Collaborate with the Finance Manager on gift reconciliation and financial reporting.
• Manage and analyze donor datasets, including exporting reports, organizing data in spreadsheets, and interpreting large data sets to guide donor strategy and decision-making.

Donor Relations, Cultivation & Stewardship

• Manage day-to-day, personalized donor communications, including emails, letters, phone calls, and new donor welcome materials.
• Support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for donors at all levels, including new, lapsed, sustaining, corporate and major donors.
• Assist with donor meetings, follow-up, and tracking of stewardship activities.
• Support and create donor recognition and appreciation initiatives, including giving societies and public acknowledgments.
• Create monthly reports that outline the secured funding.

Fundraising & Campaign Support:

• Assist with execution (and analysis) of direct mail, email, and online fundraising campaigns, including list creation and performance tracking.
• Assist with execution of all FCNC fundraiser events, special events and socials, and create associated mailing lists.
• Support administration and stewardship of FCNC’s giving programs (e.g., Horizon Society and Pinnacles Society).
• Help identify opportunities to strengthen donor engagement and retention.
• Ensure fundraising efforts align with broader marketing, communications, and community engagement strategies.

Events & Community Engagement

• Provide administrative and donor support for FCNC fundraising events, donor gatherings, and community outreach events.
• Assist with event communications, registration tracking, and donor follow-up.
• Represent FCNC at selected community events to support donor, partner, and stakeholder relationships.

Organizational Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Marketing & Development, Finance, and Community Engagement teams to advance FCNC’s strategic plan and initiatives.
• Contribute to departmental and organizational goals related to fundraising and donor engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned that advance FCNC’s mission.

Essential Experience, Competencies and Technical Skills:

• Strong commitment to FCNC’s conservation mission and values.
• Superior written, verbal and listening skills; professional, donor-centric approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort build relationships with diverse audiences.
• Highly organized, motivated and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent team player—ability to work and collaborate with others, respect for all team members and ability to foster and maintain an enjoyable, rewarding and productive workplace.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and donor database systems (Bloomerang preferred), website management and social media software.
• Demonstrated ability to export and analyze donor datasets, work effectively in spreadsheets, and interpret large data sets to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and strengthen donor engagement and stewardship.
• Willingness to travel within FCNC’s eight-county region; occasional evenings and weekends required.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution required.
• 2-4 years’ experience in nonprofit development, donor relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience supporting fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship, and event-based fundraising
• Passion for conservation, land trusts, or the outdoors strongly preferred

Travel

• Regular day travel within FCNC’s eight-county region; limited overnight travel for conferences or professional development.
• Valid Driver’s License Required
• Ability to pull a trailer with a truck, or willingness to learn
• Ability to operate an ATV/UTV, or willingness to learn