Development Director

The Housatonic Valley Association, the regional watershed organization and accredited land trust serving western New England and eastern New York, seeks an experienced fundraising professional with proven major giving experience as our next Development Director.

Now in our 85th year, HVA is an impactful and innovative conservation organization that works within and beyond the boundaries of the 1.2-million-acre Housatonic watershed to advance regional priorities and address the climate crisis. A solution-oriented approach that amplifies and enhances collaboration around shared goals with local and regional partners distinguishes us in this field. We are the driving force behind hugely successful multiparter, often multistate initiatives focused on land and water conservation, habitat connectivity, climate adaptation, access to and experience of the natural world, and complex land transactions that would normally exceed the capacity of any individual organization to accomplish on its own.

Our partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors value our experience, relationships, vision and know-how.

We punch above our weight, but we are still building the fundraising and communications capacity that will sustain the growth we need to realize the full potential of our conservation effort. We are expanding our major donors and strengthening philanthropic support beyond northwest Connecticut. Our Board is ready for its own expansion and understands that fundraising support and peer-to-peer connections are key board functions.

We currently have 13 staff and an operating budget for the coming year of $1,500,000, but we also have an unprecedented matching challenge to raise an additional $800,000 in operating funding by June 30, 2027, in new or increased private donations. We are building toward a significant $5-10 million capital campaign in the next 3-4 years. The successful candidate will help unlock our fundraising potential.

Responsibilities:
The Development Director has strategic oversight and primary responsibility for HVA’s core fundraising activities, with particular emphasis on major gifts and the annual fund. They conduct research, develop strategies, manage prospects and facilitate major asks made personally or by the Executive Director. They lead an interdepartmental team that includes a communications manager and advancement data coordinator, and they staff the Board’s Development and Communications Committee.

Additional responsibilities include promoting and cultivating legacy gifts and bequests and expanding support for the annual fund at key levels while increasing rates of donor retention. They also help develop and implement HVA’s Marketing and Communications objectives and plan significant fundraising events. The Development Director is a senior leadership position and reports to the Executive Director.

Requirements and Desired Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have a minimum of 7 years’ experience as a major gifts officer, associate director of philanthropy, or comparable position in the nonprofit sector, responsible for raising four, five and six-figure gifts in annual operating support, managing a personal donor portfolio of 60-80 major giving relationships and prospects. Proven experience as a Development Director with strategic oversight and responsibility for organizational fundraising and communications is preferred but not an absolute requirement.
• They will be adept at moves management, both within their own portfolio and for the organization overall. Proficiency with Donor Perfect or similar donor management software required. Having an organized, strategic mind will be a distinct advantage.
• The ability to convert personal relationships with significant donors to deep connections with HVA and other key staff and supporters is a vital skill for growing and retaining the support we need.
• Experience fundraising for environmental non-profits and/or within our core geography will be advantageous, though the ability to quickly grasp what sets HVA apart from our peers and what could make us a philanthropic priority for significant and potentially increased annual…