Director Of Development

Founded in 1967 as the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy is a community educational center, archive, land trust, and advocate for the preservation, conservation, and history of neighborhoods in the lower Wissahickon watershed in and around Philadelphia. The Conservancy is dedicated to preserving the historical, architectural, and cultural resources and the open spaces that define the character of Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities.

In 2025, the Conservancy established a  Strategic Plan that expanded the geographic scope of the organization to encompass the entire lower Wissahickon watershed. Although the Conservancy traditionally focuses on fundraising via private donors, in alignment with the new Strategic Plan, the organization has broadened its development focus to include funding from the public sector and foundation grants.

The Conservancy seeks a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-focused development professional to lead and expand the Chestnut Hill Conservancy's fundraising program. Working in partnership with and reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development serves as a key member of the leadership team and is responsible for leading, planning, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive fundraising strategies that support the Conservancy's mission and long-term sustainability.

The Development Director oversees annual and major gift fundraising, donor stewardship, grant writing and reporting, fundraising events, membership growth, and development operations. The position works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Development Committee, Finance Committee, and staff to strengthen philanthropic support and achieve annual fundraising goals. The Director of Development also supervises a part-time Development Associate, and part‑time support from a grants consultant and the Conservancy’s Office Manager, and ensures effective coordination of all development activities.

• Develop, implement, and regularly evaluate comprehensive annual fundraising strategies to meet organizational revenue goals.
• Establish and monitor fundraising benchmarks, donor targets, and key performance indicators (KPIs), making recommendations for adjustments as needed.
• Create strategies for donor acquisition, retention, upgrading, and stewardship across all giving levels.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Lead the Board's Development Committee in partnership with the Chair of the Development Committee by creating monthly agendas and deliverables for each meeting.

• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects.
• Lead major gifts development efforts, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Facilitate informed donor outreach by the Executive Director, Board members, and volunteers through prospect research, briefing materials, and relationship management strategies.
• Identify potential donors and build meaningful relationships with individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners.
• Recommend and forge partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and other organizations that can support the Conservancy's mission.

• Grow and retain all levels of membership and annual support.
• Plan and execute an annual fundraising campaign at the end of the calendar year and a membership campaign at the end of the fiscal year.
• Develop and implement donor stewardship and recognition programs that encourage long‑term engagement and giving.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Programs and Communications on the development of members‑only programs.
• Lead the planning and the execution of the Conservancy's annual fundraising event and related cultivation activities, including two Leadership Circle programs each year.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, committees, sponsors, and vendors to maximize fundraising outcomes and attendee engagement.
• For the annual fundraiser, oversee vendor…