Development Coordinator

Position Summary

The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) is seeking a highly organized and motivated Development Coordinator to support our fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This position plays a vital role in advancing MLR’s mission by managing donor database systems, coordinating philanthropy plans, and supporting outreach to and stewardship of donors. Working closely with the Philanthropy Director and program staff, the Development Coordinator ensures development operations run smoothly and that donors experience timely, personalized engagement throughout the giving cycle. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is detail-oriented, passionate about conservation, and eager to build a career in nonprofit fundraising. The Development Coordinator should be comfortable communicating with people throughout the organization, able to solve problems and improvise as needed, and be adept at managing time for a variety of tasks. The ideal candidate is a natural coordinator with a sharp eye for detail. The successful candidate must enjoy working in a small environment that is mission-driven, results-driven, and service oriented.

About MLR

MLR is an accredited, nonprofit land trust that partners with private landowners to permanently protect Montana’s agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space. Since 1978, MLR has helped more than 1,000 families conserve nearly 1.4 million acres of working lands, wildlife habitat and open space across the state. MLR runs like a business and is one of the most focused and efficient land trusts in the country. The lasting benefits of MLR’s work are the perpetuation of a lifestyle and an economy that relies on responsibly managed private land and increasingly valuable Montana open spaces that will continue to nourish the spirit of future generations. To learn more, visit www.mtlandreliance.org.

Essential Functions (Duties and Responsibilities)

• Maintain the donor database (Salesforce), ensuring timely entries, data accuracy, and clean donor records and reports.
• Generate fundraising reports, donor lists, and campaign tracking updates as requested.
• Coordinate the gift acknowledgment process, including printing, mailing, and personalizing letters for donors.
• Track pledges, recurring gifts, and donation anniversaries, ensuring timely follow-up and giving asks and reminders.
• Support the Philanthropy Director in implementing fundraising plans for small-gift donors, including coordinating online giving campaigns, donor acknowledgements, impact updates, and personalized outreach.
• Maintain the annual fundraising calendar to ensure regular touchpoints for direct response donors (e.g., giving through mail or digital appeals).
• Assist with preparing donor packets, handwritten notes, special mailings, and behind-the-scenes logistics for major gifts and planned giving cultivation.
• Help organize fundraising events, including planning, invitations, RSVP tracking, run-of-show coordination, and follow-up.
• Support development campaigns by helping draft and format appeal letters, segmenting targeted donor populations, and preparing print and online
• Coordinate with communications staff to align donor messaging with public-facing materials like newsletters, outreach pamphlets, and social media.
• Maintain a communications archive of donor-facing materials and mailings for reference and recordkeeping compliance.
• Schedule donor meetings and prepare materials for use by the Philanthropy Director.
• Help maintain documentation for gift acceptance, restricted gift tracking, and grant tracking.
• Maintain fundraising recordkeeping systems (SharePoint).
• Assist with out-of-state trips including setting up meetings, obtaining airline tickets, and lodging reservations for the fundraising department.
• Research new grant opportunities to grow support from foundations and corporations.
• Manage merchandise distribution to donors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of office experience preferred.
• CRM database management skills, Salesforce experience preferred.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Canva.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a high volume of projects and tasks.
• Hard working with superb attention to detail and nuance.
• An ability to learn and translate information into action.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to demonstrate tact and respect for privacy in donor interactions and data management.
• Ability to travel in-state when required.
• Valid driver’s license.