About Us

Maine Woodland Owners began in 1975 as a grassroots effort to share forestry expertise across landowners. Over fifty years, we have evolved into a highly respected, statewide organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of Maine's working woods. We are widely recognized for our unique ability to connect directly with small, private landowners; our exceptionally high standards for forest management; and our top-notch educational resources, including hands-on workshops, community events, and an in-depth monthly publication for our members. Through education, advocacy, and a growing land trust program, the organization serves thousands of members and plays a unique role in the state’s conservation landscape.

Position Summary

Maine Woodland Owners is seeking its first Director of Development to build and lead a comprehensive fundraising program that supports and expands the organization’s mission. This is a unique opportunity to shape the development function at a pivotal moment, leveraging a strong membership base, a compelling conservation mission, and growing land protection efforts.

The Director of Development will design and implement strategies across annual giving, major gifts, membership integration, and foundation support. The role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. We are a small and collaborative team; this position will work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Communications & Outreach, and Office Manager, as well as program staff and the Board of Directors.

We recognize that the year-end giving season is around the corner. Our leadership team is already laying the groundwork for our annual appeal so our incoming Director is walking into a supported transition rather than a high-stress sprint.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Establish clear revenue targets across membership, annual fund, major gifts, and grants.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to position philanthropy as a core organizational priority.

Annual Fund & Membership Integration

• Integrate membership and fundraising strategies to deepen engagement and increase giving.
• Strengthen and grow the annual giving program, including appeals and donor stewardship.
• Expand and manage a recurring/monthly giving program.

Major Gifts & Land Conservation Program Development

• Build a portfolio of individual donors capable of making significant gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors and prospects.
• Help establish planned giving and land-based gift strategies over time.
• Support and guide the Executive Director and Board in donor engagement and solicitations.

Grants & Institutional Funding

• Identify and pursue foundation, corporate, and public funding opportunities.
• Build business sponsorships and corporate partnerships aligned with our mission.
• Manage grant writing, corporate outreach, reporting, and funder relationships.

Systems & Operations

• Assess and strengthen Bloomerang member and donor database system and data integrity.
• Implement donor segmentation and tracking for effective relationship management.
• Establish metrics and reporting to track fundraising performance.

Longevity & Success

You will not be judged on perfection, but on momentum and structure-building. How we will support this role:

• Shared operational support: Our Office Manager assists with gift processing, database entry, and mailings, freeing the Director to focus on strategic fundraising and donor relationships.
• Collaborative leadership: The Executive Director and Board actively participate in donor cultivation and solicitations. You won’t be fundraising in isolation.
• Phased priorities: We recognize one person cannot build every system at once. The first year will focus on creating a structured annual fundraising plan, database health and systems efficiency, annual giving, upgrading our existing member base, and engaging top donors, with newer initiatives phased in over time.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts.
• Demonstrated success building or growing fundraising programs.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Experience with Bloomerang CRM and/or other database tools.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel across Maine for donor visits and field events. Mileage reimbursed at the federal rate.

Preferred

• Knowledge of Maine’s forestry, landowner, or conservation landscape.
• Familiarity with membership-based non-profit organizations.

Key Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and comfortable building systems from the ground up.
• Mission-driven with an appreciation for land stewardship and conservation.
• Collaborative and able to work across teams.
• Excellent listener and team member.
• Organized and results-oriented.

Compensation & Benefits

This position is a full-time, salaried position based in Augusta, with remote flexibility and regional travel for donor visits.

Compensation: $85,000 - $100,000. 

Benefits include: 

• Healthcare: 100% employer-paid premiums for health and dental insurance (employee coverage). Includes a generous employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Health opt-out stipend: For employees with coverage elsewhere who opt out of our health plan, we offer a taxable cash stipend in lieu of coverage.
• Retirement: Immediate eligibility in a SIMPLE IRA plan with up to 3% employer match. 
• Paid time off: Paid vacation and sick leave, plus 13 paid holidays.