Development Associate

TITLE: Development Associate
SUPERVISOR: Director of Strategic Advancement
LOCATION: Wilmington, NC (hybrid)
DATE: May 2025
CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Permanent, Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
SALARY RANGE: $45,000 - 62,000

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION:

The Coastal Land Trust (CLT) is a high-performing, accredited, regional land trust with a reputation for excellence. It works to enrich North Carolina through the conservation of natural areas and working landscapes, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship in the 31 counties of eastern NC. Since 1992, more than 90,000 acres of land with scenic, recreational, historic, and/or ecological value have been protected.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Development Associate is a member of the Coastal Land Trust development and communications team, focused primarily on the organization’s annual fundraising efforts. They are responsible for coordinating the solicitation and stewardship of annual and special event donors. The Development Associate will work closely with the Director of Strategic Advancement to ensure that fundraising goals for all sources of revenue are met to support the continued success and growth of the organization. Part of a four-person team, they will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of nonprofit fundraising and communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Implement fundraising, recognition, and stewardship plans for annual donors
  • Manage fundraising appeals including work with outside design and printing vendors
  • Coordinate special event and preserve sponsorship fundraising efforts
  • Responsible for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of donors
  • Coordinate staff and volunteer efforts to actively engage donors
  • Track actions in the donor database and update constituent records as necessary
  • Identify new corporate funding prospects for events and special fundraising campaigns
  • Steward Host of the Coast program partners and help identify new prospects

Working with the Director of Strategic Advancement:

  • Research grant funding opportunities, assist with grant writing and reporting
  • Help develop funding proposals for major donors and planned giving prospects
  • Analyze fundraising campaign performance and donor behavior
  • Identify and cultivate new funding prospects

As a part of the Development & Communications team:

  • Contribute energy and ideas for special events, donor appeals, and external communications
  • Assist in the solicitation of event sponsors and participate in other fundraising activities
  • Professionally interact with board members, donors, landowners, volunteers, and community members
  • Attend meetings and participate in training sessions
  • Engage in career and personal development opportunities
  • Carry out other tasks as assigned in support of our mission

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Possess key professional skills, gained through work experience and/or a bachelor's degree, such as:
    • excellent organizational abilities
    • proficiency with Microsoft Office products
    • ability to work independently, handle multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
    • strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Enjoy engaging with the public
  • Have a genuine interest in the mission of the Coastal Land Trust
  • Be committed to making the Coastal Land Trust the best workplace possible
  • Be able to work occasional evening and weekend events

In addition to the qualifications above, the ideal candidate may have a combination of the following:

  • Have 1-3 years of experience working in a nonprofit organization, preferably in a fundraising-related role
  • Possess an understanding of nonprofit operations and ethical fundraising practices
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to build rapport with donors
  • Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM systems

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  • Office-based with the option to work remotely 2 days per week.
  • Work hours span Monday-Friday and occasionally include Saturdays and evening hours.
    • Some meetings/events will require overnight travel.
  • No significant environmental considerations (temperature, noise, materials), except for fundraising and donor stewardship events which are primarily outdoors.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  • The salary range for this position is $45,000 - $62,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered at 100% coverage for employees, as well as a 3% match in a SIMPLE IRA plan after earning $5,000 in compensation.
  • Generous paid sick and vacation leave, paid holidays

To apply: Submit one document that includes your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interests to the attention of Eric Vreeland to jobs@coastallandtrust.org with the subject line “Development Associate.” Priority application deadline is June 17, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For more information, visit www.coastallandtrust.org.

We believe that a diverse workplace is critical to achieving our goals. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool and encourage applications from structurally marginalized communities and experiences to apply. Frequently cited statistics show that applicants from structurally marginalized and/or underrepresented groups apply for jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. The Coastal Land Trust encourages you to break that statistic and to apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application!