Development Director

Sycamore Land Trust is hiring a Development Director in Bloomington, IN, to lead fundraising efforts for their conservation and education programs. The role involves managing strategies to generate over $1 million annually, supervising staff, and collaborating with the Board and volunteers. Responsibilities include overseeing major gifts, grant writing, and maintaining donor relationships. The position requires strong leadership and adherence to ethical fundraising practices.
Sycamore Land Trust is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, well-qualified individual to implement and grow an established development program that supports our nature preservation and environmental education efforts in southern Indiana. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, Sycamore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that has been preserving land, restoring habitat, and connecting people to nature since 1990. We protect and steward more than 11,800 acres, offer free public hiking trails and educational opportunities, and are accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation commission.


POSITION DESCRIPTION


This position leads and manages all fundraising activities, aiming to increase overall support to meet or exceed Sycamore’s annual fundraising targets to achieve strategic objectives. The Development Director is an integral member of a team of nine full-time and one part-time professional staff, who collaborates with our Board of Directors, dozens of dedicated volunteers, and more than 1,250 annual supporting members to fulfill Sycamore’s mission. The Development Director works closely with and reports to the Executive Director.


RESPONSIBILITIES


Development Program Planning and Implementation:



Lead, manage, and execute fundraising strategies seeking to generate $1 million or more in annual revenue, encompassing both general operating support and restricted giving in order to meet fundraising priorities as established by the Executive Director.
Plan and implement all fundraising efforts and development programs, including major gifts, planned giving, membership and annual giving, and special appeals.
Supervise the part-time Membership Coordinator.
Track and report on the progress of fundraising goals; provide leadership and Board regular communications and updates.
Lead the Board Development Committee and inform and advise board members on soliciting gifts.
Maintain and utilize Sycamore’s donor database to track prospects, pledges, gifts, grants, and interactions with constituents.
Collaborate with the Administrative Director, who is responsible for gift entry, to manage online giving systems, online information collection systems, and the donor database.
Oversee all gift acknowledgements and work closely with Executive Director to manage strategic relationships.
Perform grant writing, reporting, and compliance to maximize institutional funding opportunities.
Employ best practices and maintain the highest ethical standards in all aspects of Sycamore fundraising, including adherence to Land Trust Alliance standards and practices.
Should the Board of Directors decide to implement a discrete strategic endeavor, such as a capital campaign, lead and manage such efforts successfully.

Major and Planned Gifts:



Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with new and existing major donors, fostering trust-based partnerships to secure and sustain philanthropic support. Develop tailored engagement strategies to deepen donor commitment and increase giving capacity.
Lead the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising, including identifying funding opportunities, writing compelling grant proposals, managing grant administration, and ensuring timely reporting and compliance. Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation, corporate, and government funders to strengthen long-term support.
Manage and implement the Legacy Circle program to promote planned giving and cultivate individual prospects for planned gifts.
Assist the Land Preservation Director with fostering land and conservation easement donations, as well as planned gifts of land.

Membership and Annual Giving:



Direct the Membership Coordinator and collaborate with Communications Director to evaluate the effectiveness of Sycamore’s annual membership program and fundraising appeals, and ensure programs are meeting desired targets.

Public Relations and Events:



Plan and host special donor events, including the annual celebration and holiday party, in collaboration with the Communications Director.
Coordinate with the Communications Director on development-related messaging and review other public communications.
Oversee and manage relationships with donors and prospects.
Represent Sycamore at various public outreach meetings and forums.

QUALIFICATIONS



Five or more years of professional experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated success in major donor development.
A bachelor’s degree is preferred a high school degree or equivalent is required.
High degree of professionalism, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

COMPETENCIES



Outgoing, friendly, and collaborative personality who can engage and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Self-directed, with the ability to lead and also function well in a cooperative small-team environment.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and activities.
Proficiency with fundraising database software, Microsoft Office, and other standard office software.
Enthusiasm for conservation and the mission, goals, and values of Sycamore Land Trust.
Experience with conservation fundraising and knowledge of Indiana is preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS



Valid driver’s license, demonstrated safe driving record, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel throughout southern Indiana.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

COMPENSATION


$60,000 to $80,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits including health insurance, Simple IRA with employer matching, paid vacation and sick time, travel reimbursement, a flexible work environment, and a comfortable office located in a beautiful mid-century modern house on a wooded property on the edge of Bloomington.


TO APPLY


Send your cover letter and resume to info@sycamorelandtrust.org. Please include your last name at the start of the file name. The position will remain open until filled. Applications received by May 30, 2026, are assured full consideration.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY


Sycamore Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or parental status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.