Assistant/Associate Director of Fundraising

Unity Environmental University is seeking an Assistant/Associate Director of Fundraising in New Gloucester, ME. The role involves developing and executing fundraising initiatives, managing donor engagement, and maintaining alumni records. The ideal candidate should be a strategic self-starter with experience in donor customer service and digital engagement. This position is critical for advancing the university’s philanthropic efforts and ensuring accurate communication with donors.
About Unity:

At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make
environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our
unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based
structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units
(SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance
Education, Sustainable Ventures, and In-Person Education). We
prioritize our students' needs above all else, offering a variety
of modalities, including in-person, and online. Our innovative and
inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges
and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals
and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

About The Enterprise Model:

In 2017, Unity Environmental University pioneered a shift in
organizational structure by embracing the Enterprise Model. This
innovative model strategically segments the university into several
Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs), each functioning with
a high degree of autonomy. Designed akin to a matrix organization,
the Enterprise Model combines the benefits of both centralized and
decentralized management, enhancing the university's agility and
responsiveness to the dynamic needs of its students and broader
societal challenges.

This entrepreneurial framework fosters an environment where each
SEBU operates as an independent entity, yet is interconnected with
the university's core mission. The SEBUs are empowered to develop
specialized programs, services, and products that directly meet the
unique demands of their specific audiences.

Leadership within the Enterprise Model is both collaborative and
authoritative; decisions are made efficiently at various levels,
from the President to the Heads of SEBUs and Chief Officers, all
incorporating feedback from relevant stakeholders. This model
abolishes traditional silos and eschews the need for consensus,
ensuring that no single entity can veto the decisions of another,
thereby maintaining a streamlined and effective decision-making
process. In this model, every faculty member reports to a Dean who
oversees their daily work and performance evaluations.

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences
that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals
and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward
sustainable ecosystems.

The Opportunity:

The Assistant/Associate Director of Fundraising plays a critical
role in advancing Unity Environmental University’s philanthropic
efforts by developing and executing fundraising initiatives that
drive donor engagement and increase both donors and annual giving.
This position is responsible for managing call campaigns, social
media and fundraising efforts to inspire philanthropy. The ideal
candidate will be a dynamic and strategic self-starter with
experience in donor customer service, organization, and digital
engagement. This position is responsible for maintaining pertinent
information on the website for alumni and donors, and keeping
alumni and donor records up to date and accurate in our information
system.

Day to day responsibilities:
• Develop and implement annual fundraising strategies to meet or
exceed donor growth and revenue targets.
• Plan and execute targeted call campaigns to engage prospective
and existing donors, ensuring donor retention and growth.
• Design and manage social media fundraising campaigns that
inspire philanthropy and enhance Unity’s digital presence.
• Identify and cultivate donor relationships, focusing on major
gift prospects, recurring donors, and new supporters.
• Track and analyze fundraising performance metrics, adjusting
strategies as needed to achieve annual goals.
• Oversee and maintain the alumni webpage, ensuring it remains
current, engaging, and reflective of Unity’s ongoing impact.
• Create and manage a compelling social media presence focused on
donor engagement, philanthropy storytelling, and campaign
promotion.
• Develop digital content, including donor spotlights, impact
stories, and fundraising appeals, to enhance donor
participation.
• Partner with the communications team to integrate fundraising
messaging across various marketing channels.
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising events, including
Giving Tuesday, donor appreciation receptions, and special
campaigns.
• Work closely with leadership to implement peer-to-peer
fundraising initiatives and ambassador programs.
• Leverage donor databases and CRM systems to manage donor
outreach, record interactions, and analyze engagement trends.
• Accurately maintain a donor database that reflects pertinent
historical and current information.
• Ability to travel for donor networking with flexibility to be
available on evenings and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?
• Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, communications, marketing, or
a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, with a proven track
record of meeting outcomes.
• Experience managing call campaigns, social media, and
engagement strategies.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills to inspire philanthropy
across digital and traditional platforms.
• Proficiency in donor management software (Salesforce, Raiser’s
Edge, or similar) and social media analytics tools.
• Ability to travel as needed and work evenings and weekends to
support donor engagement and fundraising events.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work
collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to “ghost write” for various Institution
administrators, staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to learn subject-specific terminology for use in
developing written materials.
• Management and administrative skills to motivate, direct and
evaluate staff and volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals.
• Superior organizational and time-management skills; the ability
to multi-task and to set priorities.
• Ability to obtain a Maine driver's license with a clean driving
record.
• Passion for Unity’s mission and a commitment to advancing
philanthropy.

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should
apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our
company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional
journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges.
Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a
chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the
individual we're searching for!

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University
Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education,
In-Person @ Pineland, and the School of Environmental Business
& Sustainable Ventures are based at the Pineland Farms campus.
The facilities are within easy access to one of the fastest-growing
cities for startups in the country.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and
can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours
required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling
responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs. Although
Unity Environmental University employees are generally scheduled to
work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when
travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to
attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity
Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required
to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to
stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up
to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include
close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception,
and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for
repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and
fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the
telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:

Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and
competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and
staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:
• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance