Development Director

Development Director:

TOMTC has a tremendous base of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners who passionately support the organization. TOMTC seeks a teammate who can help enhance the existing base of community support so that the organization has the resources to advocate for, maintain, and expand its iconic trail network. As the first individual to hold this full-time staff position, the Development Director will provide leadership and direction for fundraising strategy and activities, ensuring TOMTC’s revenue stays as steady as a well-paved trail. 

The Development Director will be supported by the Executive and Associate Director who have built trusting community relationships, as well as an Administrative Assistant and Communications Manager. Serving as a key advisor to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Development Director will bridge the gap between trail-side passion and philanthropy by turning donors’ love for TOMTC’s trails into a lasting legacy. 

The Development Director will be responsible for securing significant gifts through relationship-based fundraising, focusing on the people and foundations that make northern Michigan special. The ideal candidate will enjoy spending time connecting on the trails and in the community while working with a collaborative team. 

Whether chatting with a local business owner in Harbor Springs, biking with a long-time supporter, or clearing storm debris with a volunteer who has spent a lifetime enjoying the Little Traverse Wheelway, the Development Director will be one of the TOMTC staff members that people in the community get to know and look forward to connecting with to learn the latest trail news. 

The ideal candidate will have a knack for strategic leadership, a heart for the outdoors, and can embrace that the most meaningful donor conversations often happen outside at a trailhead or while enjoying a view of the bay.

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategy and Leadership 

• Key architect of donor-centered  relationship fundraising
• Help set annual and multi-year philanthropy goals
• Align fundraising strategy with the organizational strategic plan
• Advise executive leadership and board on development matters
• Provide internal leadership to staff regarding fundraising tasks, timelines, and the overall fund development calendar
• Monitor and report on fundraising  performance metrics

Annual Giving 

• Provide strategy for direct mail, email, and digital  fundraising appeals
• Grow recurring giving efforts
• Innovate donor acquisition and retention strategies

Major, Corporate, and Planned Giving 

• Develop and manage a major gifts portfolio
• Conduct one-on-one donor meetings and solicitations
• Secure sponsorships and underwriting support
• Cultivate relationships with foundations
• Promote deferred giving opportunities
• Support capital campaigns and special initiatives
• Maintain donor confidentiality and trust

Donor Relations and Stewardship 

• Create personalized recognition strategies
• Manage donor recognition programs and societies
• Produce donor impact content
• Plan donor appreciation opportunities

Communications and Marketing 

In collaboration with communications staff: 

• Co-create fundraising messaging and case statements
• Co-develop donor-facing content (appeals, newsletters,  reports, etc.)

Qualifications:

Preference will be given to those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, as well as those with nonprofit experience and a proven track record in fund development. 

Note: This position description serves as a general overview of the role’s responsibilities and requirements. Duties and expectations may be adjusted to accommodate the organization’s evolving needs.

Compensation and Benefits: 

This position is based in Petoskey, Michigan. The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000 – commensurate with experience – and includes a competitive benefits program. 

TOMTC is a community-focused, people-led organization that promotes connections and quality of life in northern Michigan communities. As such, the organization is committed to the health and wellness of employees and recognizes that we all have lives outside of work that require our time and attention. TOMTC offers flexible schedules and strongly encourages a healthy work-life balance, including the use of paid time off for vacations, mental health days, and sick leave. 

As part of its commitment to physical and mental health, TOMTC believes in the value of the trails they steward and encourages the use of monthly “Trail Days” for recreation and reflection outside of the TOMTC office.