Development Manager

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture seeks Development Manager to lead the implementation of BRWIA’s fundraising and community engagement strategy, supporting the organization’s mission and ensuring long-term sustainability. This leadership role works closely with the Executive Director, Finance Coordinator and Grant Coordinator and provides direct supervision and strategic direction to the Communications & Outreach Coordinator to ensure alignment between development goals and organizational communications.

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is a women-led non-profit organization that strives to build an equitable, sustainable High Country food system. Our mission is to support producers and to cultivate community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. We began as a grassroots project in 2003 by a group of women farmers and gardeners who were looking for supportive, knowledge-sharing networks.

We remain dedicated to supporting women in leadership roles even as we serve the entire High Country community.

BRWIA operates the High Country Food Hub and the King Street Farmers Market. We also coordinate various programs that increase demand for and equitable access to local food and producers’ ability to sustainably meet that demand. These include a Double Up Food Bucks program and events such as seasonal producer workshops and a Farm-to-Plate dinner series and the Savory Shindig.

We are based in downtown Boone, NC, and serve the surrounding region.

This position will collaborate with the Executive Director, Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Grants Manager and other BRWIA staff to raise awareness about local food, BRWIA programs and the importance of building a resilient local food system in the High Country. This position will require occasional weekend and weeknight hours.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to lead BRWIA’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, including individual giving, major gifts, sponsor ships, institutional giving, and planned giving.
• Provide vision and leadership for donor cultivation, stewardship, and retention.
• Facilitate weekly development team meetings to coordinate fundraising and outreach efforts, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and support collaboration across team members.
• Contribute to organizational planning and long-term strategy in partnership with the Executive Director and development team.
• Directly supervise the Communications & Outreach Coordinator to ensure communications support development and organizational goals.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with donors, community partners, and stakeholders to expand BRWIA’s network and support.
• Represent BRWIA at community and development events in conjunction with the Executive Director (e.g., Farm to Plate dinners, Chamber of Commerce events).

• Lead execution of BRWIA’s annual fundraising event, Savory Shindig, including sponsorship solicitation and oversight of event logistics.
• In collaboration with the Communications & Outreach Coordinator, plan and execute stewardship events such as Farm Tours, Farm to Plate Restaurant benefits, Sustainer Circle meet ups, etc.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure events are effectively promoted and aligned with fundraising goals.
• Represent BRWIA at community and development events alongside the Executive Director.

• Guide the development of donor-focused narratives and impact stories; work with Communications & Outreach Coordinator to develop donor materials
• Support Grant Manager in compiling BRWIA’s annual report
• Collaborate with Executive Director to create compelling fundraising…