Engagement and Stewardship Manager

Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature.

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, nurturing inclusion, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way.

The Engagement and Stewardship Manager ensures exceptional execution of fundraising strategies that are foundational to achieving department revenue goals. This role is responsible for donor stewardship; department communications; special event strategy, development, and execution; and business administration and data management for development programs. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and organized, possessing the ability to navigate competing priorities across multiple projects while increasing operational effectiveness through relationship-building and continuous process improvement.

• Working Title:
  
  Development Manager
• Position Classification:
  Manager
• Employment
  
  Conditions:
  
  Exempt
• Department/Section:
  Development
• Classification Starting Range: $62,000-$72,000, depending on experience
• Reports To:
  
  Senior Development Manager
• Supervisory Responsibilities:
  
  None

Tasks

• Plan, organize, and execute 6-8 events annually that support Wilderness Inquiry’s mission, fundraising goals, and community engagement efforts (including Board & Friends, house parties, Opportunity Fund gatherings, and Great River Race).
• Facilitate event design, metrics for success, and annual revenue goals with the Development team and organizational leadership.
• Develop and manage timelines, budgets, and work plans for each event.
• Organize and lead effective event-planning meetings with internal staff, Board committees, and vendors.
• Independently manage sponsorship outreach and fulfillment by creating and submitting proposals and ensuring consistent and timely followup.
• Coordinate event logistics including catering, audio-visual, transportation, rentals, auctions/raffles, and signage.
• Supervise on-site execution of events, including staff, volunteers, and vendors.
• Develop promotional strategies for special events in collaboration with the Communications/Marketing team to ensure consistency with brand standards.
• Design and disseminate digital and print materials.
• Oversee invitation lists, registration, and attendee engagement.
• Ensure audience segmentation and alignment with other priorities on the organizational communications calendar.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and analyze feedback to improve future events.
• Maintain accurate records of event performance, attendance, and financials.
• Ensure acknowledgements are promptly made to attendees, vendors, and sponsors.
• Analyze evaluation data and make recommendations for year-over-year improvements.

Tasks

• In collaboration with the Senior Development Manager, organize and implement the annual giving strategy to increase participation and revenue growth through direct mail, email campaigns, digital fundraising, and other innovative approaches.
• Grow the number of individuals that give to Wilderness Inquiry on an annual basis and create tracking mechanisms for continuous improvement.
• Analyze donor data, prior campaigns’ performance metrics, and nonprofit sector research that supports our individual donor development strategy.
• Ensure effective donor cultivation efforts by researching prospects and helping ensure consistent engagement strategies.
• Design, develop and implement effective donor communications collateral, including meaningful and inspiring acknowledgment letters, impact statements, event communications, eNewsletter articles, appeal campaigns, proposals, etc. in a collaborative, but self-directed manner.

Tasks

• Ensure…