Minnesota Land Trust seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial fundraiser to lead and grow our major gift and planned giving program. Reporting to the Director of Development & Communications and working closely with the CEO, the Senior Development Officer will play a pivotal role in securing significant philanthropic commitments from current and prospective donors.
This position will oversee a personal portfolio of 100-125 donors, focusing on gifts and multi-year pledges of $100K+. We have an ambitious goal to increase overall contributed revenue by 50% in the next three years, and this role presents an exciting opportunity to significantly expand MLT’s capacity to protect Minnesota’s natural landscapes.
The ideal candidate is a proven and enthusiastic leader who excels at building meaningful, long-term relationships, delivering exceptional donor experiences, and inspiring action to advance MLT’s mission.
Compensation:
The salary range is $105,000 – $120,000 annually. Benefits include 100% employer-paid medical coverage for individuals and 25% employer contribution for dependent coverage; employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance; optional dental, vision, and other benefits. The Land Trust has a retirement match of up to 2% in a 401k or Roth that is immediately vested. We offer 15 days of vacation for new employees, paid sick time, 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and paid sabbatical for employees after seven years.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ):
All employees of the Minnesota Land Trust are expected to embrace the ideals of our DEIJ plan and incorporate our DEIJ goals into their ongoing work. All employees should be familiar with the current DEIJ plan.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Major Giving (60%)
- Conduct regular discovery meetings and maintain a portfolio of 100-125 individuals qualified from a larger group of donors and key prospects with a focus on those with a capacity of $100K or more. Annual fundraising goal will be $500,000+, along with a goal for bequest notifications. (NOTE: The size of the portfolio will decrease over time as program and management responsibilities increase.)
- Develop and continually refine personal contact and ask plan for each portfolio donor (including target ask amounts and timing goals) that considers the individual donor’s passions, interests, motivations, giving patterns and ask preferences. Execute the plan so that individuals in the portfolio are retained and upgraded.
- In partnership with the Director of Development and Communications, lead major gift strategy and development of CEO’s donor portfolio. Regularly coordinate with other Development and Communications team members to ensure continuity between the rest of the fundraising program.
Planned Giving (25%)
- Grow and enhance MLT’s planned giving program working with the DD&C on developing key messaging, materials and outreach strategies to promote legacy giving.
- Ensure effective and timely follow-up for all those requesting planned giving materials or indicating they have included MLT in their plans. Work to secure Declaration of Intent forms and substantiate estimated future gift value.
- Work with the Associate Director of Development to provide meaningful stewardship for donors who have already communicated a planned giving intent to MLT.
Program Development (15%)
- Direct and grow MLT’s major and planned giving program. Develop strategies to engage and cultivate key stakeholder groups such as MLT landowners and volunteers.
- Hire relationship-focused fundraiser(s) and provide direct supervision, including recruitment, training, and regular feedback to support their success. (first FTE starting 2026)
- Support the development of future fundraising campaigns and initiatives. Work with MLT program staff to secure appropriate project information such as budgets and impact stories to create custom communications and proposals that will be used to solicit and steward donors.
- Utilize Virtuous CRM and other tools to effectively track donor engagement and optimize the experience for MLT donors.
- Collaborate with the Director of Engagement to develop events and experiences that showcase MLT’s impact, engaging key donors and prospects in alignment with fundraising goals.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent experience with at least 7 years of progressively increasing responsibility in fundraising and development administration
- Demonstrated expertise in donor discovery and qualification, developing effective solicitation strategies, closing significant gifts, planned giving (bequests, trusts, gift annuities, etc.), and stewarding donors throughout the giving lifecycle
- Previous supervisory experience managing a team
- Background in event management and volunteer engagement
- Experience tracking information in a CRM/development database (Virtuous preferred)
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional listening skills and high emotional intelligence
- Ability to work collaboratively and perform independently
- Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals, including MLT staff, Board of Directors, volunteers
Physical Demands:
- Office duties to be performed at a desk and at a computer.
- Must be able to participate in field visits to various conservation sites under varying weather conditions.
- Requires walking, standing, and occasionally lifting objects up to 20 pounds, on occasion.
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Location: St. Paul, MN with hybrid work schedule. Travel required throughout Minnesota and at times outside the state. Occasional nights and weekends.
To Apply:
Please email a cover letter and resume combined as a single PDF to apply@mnland.org. The position is open until filled.
Minnesota Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company will not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, genetic information, sex, disability, age, or any other status protected by state or local law, for employees who fall within the jurisdiction of such law.