The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. Help advance the Arboretum's mission and connect more people to this special organization by joining the development department. We are seeking an experienced fundraiser or salesperson to raise philanthropic revenue and deepen donor relationships with members of the Thornhill Society. The successful candidate is creative, motivated, and able to build individual relationships and motivate donors to increase their support. You’ll be part of an accomplished and highly capable team working together to make the Arboretum exceptional.

Position Summary: Manage the acquisition, retention, and growth of The Morton Arboretum’s 300-plus household Thornhill Society–members giving $1,500-$9,999 annually. Devise strategies to grow mid-level giving revenue and deepen donor relationships across the Society, serving as the primary relationship manager for these donors. Serve as a critical part of the Membership and Annual Giving team, supporting efforts to achieve fundraising goals, acquire and retain members and donors, and advance a culture of philanthropy across the Arboretum.

Essential Functions: 

·        Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, and acquire new Thornhill Society members.

·        Manage the renewal process for existing Thornhill Society members, recommending upgrade opportunities, ensuring high donor retention rates and movement up the giving ladder.

·        Serve as the primary relationship manager for Thornhill Society members, providing initial outreach, group stewardship, and knitting connections with Arboretum program staff, leadership, and gift officers.

·        Collaborate with the Development Operations team to model, identify, and qualify prospective Thornhill Society members using data-driven insights.

·        Collaborate with the Campaigns and Stewardship team to devise engaging member experiences, events, and programs that effectively cultivate and steward Thornhill Society members.

·        Collaborate with the Director of Major Gifts and gift officers to advance relationships with qualified donors and transition into major gift portfolios.

·        Collaborate with colleagues in the Marketing and Communication and Development departments, and across the Arboretum, to ensure accurate and timely gift processing and reporting; brand consistency across all communication; advance member and donor 

·        engagement; build a donor pipeline; and foster an organization-wide culture of philanthropy. 

·        Complete fundraising efforts following sound financial control procedures. Work with the Director of Membership and Annual Giving to develop and manage the expense budget for Thornhill Society fundraising.

·        Work closely with Membership and Annual Giving teammates to devise additive gift opportunities throughout the year, including tribute and memorial contributions, and coordinate year-end major gift solicitations.

·        Ensure the fulfillment of all defined Thornhill Society member benefits annually

·        Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and innovations in individual giving and mid-level donor programs.

·        Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning and make the Arboretum exceptional.

·        Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum 5+ years of experience required in development, marketing, communications, or sales, ideally with a strong grounding in membership. Excellent customer service skills and verbal and interpersonal communication skills, both in person, in writing, and over the phone, required. Possess strong fundraising and relationship-building skills, strategic thinking abilities, and a passion for fostering donor engagement. Experience and ability to interpret data for financial reporting and analysis. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications, and have experience using database systems. Prior experience using Salesforce software preferred. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

·        Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 10 lbs.), and occasional travel around the Arboretum campus and locally.

·        Work Environment: Office environment, with occasional outdoor settings, including travel around the Arboretum grounds, traversing trails and/or uneven ground. 

·        Equipment: General office equipment, Arboretum golf cart.

·        Schedule: Position requires occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

For full consideration please include resume and cover letter with application. 

The salary range is between $56,000-67,000  based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process, along with internal equity.

To apply: 

 https://careers.hireology.com/themortonarboretum/1347008/description

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.