Position Overview
Dodge Nature Center is a non-profit organization with a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional environmental education programs within its expansive 460-acre nature preserve situated in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Cottage Grove. The position plays a pivotal role within the Dodge leadership team, entailing the oversight and direction of all development, fundraising, communications and marketing endeavors for Dodge Nature Center and Preschool. This role leads a team comprising three
dedicated professionals, including an Annual Fund Manager, a Communications Associate, and a Development Associate.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Donor Relations (50%):

• Major & Planned Gifts: Develop and manage relationships with individual donors and prospects, with a focus on major and planned gifts. Lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to grow philanthropic support for Dodge and its Preschool.
• Institutional Giving: Lead foundation and corporate fundraising strategies, including prospect research, proposal development, grant submissions, reporting, compliance, and ongoing stewardship of institutional partners.
• Annual Giving: Oversee strategies that engage a broad base of donors, including annual giving, direct mail, digital campaigns, monthly giving, and other opportunities to increase donor participation and revenue
• Events & Donor Engagement: Lead fundraising and donor engagement events, including Night for Nature and other cultivation and stewardship opportunities. Develop strategies that strengthen donor relationships, generate philanthropic support, and create meaningful experiences that connect donors and supporters to Dodge’s mission.

Administrative Management, Performance Reporting & Board Liaison (10%)

• Oversee the development budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources to maximize fundraising effectiveness while maintaining fiscal accountability. Monitor
  expenses and revenue performance against established goals and adjust strategies and actions as needed.
• Ensure that the donor database is effectively maintained, regularly monitored, and optimized to meet the evolving needs of the organization, supporting accurate
  tracking, reporting, and relationship management. Lead the tracking, analysis, and reporting of key fundraising metrics—including donor engagement, pipeline activity,
  and revenue projections—to inform data-driven decision-making.
• Provide regular, clear, and actionable reports to leadership and the board to assess progress, strengthen strategy, and support organizational planning.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Development Committee, partnering with committee leadership to set agendas, provide timely and relevant materials, and support members in advancing fundraising strategy, board engagement, and philanthropic outcomes.

Team Leadership (15%):

• Lead and manage a team of fundraising professionals, providing guidance, support, and mentoring to ensure the team's success in meeting fundraising targets.

Database Management (5%):

• Oversee the management and integrity of Dodge’s donor database, including gift entry, data entry, and cross-departmental data management. Establish and reinforcebconsistent data practices, ensuring information is accurate, timely, and maintained according to organizational standards. Bloomerang is the current database.

Marketing and Communications (20%):

• Develop and lead integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance organizational goals, strengthen brand awareness, and deepen engagement
  with donors, supporters, program participants, and community partners. Oversee public relations, social media, digital communications, and content development, ensuring messaging is compelling, consistent, audience-focused, and aligned with Dodge’s mission and brand.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, marketing, communications, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, 8-10 years of fundraising experience.

Experience Requirement: 8–10 years of progressive experience in fundraising and/or advancement, including demonstrated success in major gifts and at least 4–6 years of leadership or team management experience. Ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and implement successful cultivation and stewardship strategies. Ability to write persuasively for a variety of audiences, including donor centric communications.

Professional Competencies: Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional conduct. Strategic and forward-thinking approach with strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, communications, time-management, and organizational skills. Ability to collaborate effectively and build productive relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, community partners, and other external stakeholders.

Strategic Judgment & Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, make thoughtful and timely decisions, anticipate challenges, and proactively identify and implement solutions.

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds and safely traverse uneven terrain.

Driver’s License: Valid and current driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record. Ability to travel locally and regionally for donor meetings, organizational events, community engagements, and other business needs.

Role Expectations: This is an in-person role based out of our West St. Paul location.

Preferred Qualifications

Technical & Fundraising Experience: Demonstrated experience using donor databases and fundraising technology, including Bloomerang, WordPress, and grant management platforms. Experience with capital campaign planning and execution preferred.

Communication & Relationship Building: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling donor communications, organizational messaging, and marketing materials. Builds strong, productive relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization and with donors, volunteers, community partners, and other external stakeholders.

Connection to Dodge’s Mission: Genuine interest in and appreciation for the natural world and a  commitment to Dodge Nature Center’s mission of providing exceptional experiences in nature through environmental education.

Dodge offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include health and dental insurance options, retirement plan contributions, and paid time off.

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants and staff to bring their diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to Dodge. We commit to fostering an inclusive, welcoming work environment for all employees.