Director of Development, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation

The University of Montana Foundation has an outstanding
opportunity for a Director of Development at the W.A. Franke
College of Forestry & Conservation.

Since its founding in 1913, the Franke College has become a
national leader in academics, research, and hands-on learning in
the fields of environmental science, conservation, forest
management, and sustainability.

Rooted in the wild landscapes of Western Montana, the Franke
College is training tomorrow’s leaders in climate change, wildlife
and its habitat, forestry, environmental sustainability, water
conservation, recreation and tourism management, wilderness,
community and environmental planning, spatial technologies and
more.

The Director of Development will support the Franke College’s
mission by driving fundraising strategies; building donor
relationships; and engaging, soliciting, and stewarding donors in
the collaborative team environments of the University of Montana
Foundation and Franke College.

Benefits Include

• Retirement 403(b) employer contribution of 11%
• Opportunity for a part-time remote work arrangement each
  week
• Generous time off – Team members accrue four weeks of vacation
  and 12 days of sick leave per year, with an additional 12 days of
  holiday leave
• Paid parental leave of four weeks for new parents
• Short-term and long-term disability pay protection
  benefits
• Medical, Dental, Vision, wellness program and more
• Professional development opportunities, including a year-long
  fundraising training with Plus Delta Partners

Responsibilities

• Articulate the mission, values, and fundraising priorities of
  the Franke College
• Build relationships with prospective and current donors, with
  frequent travel around Montana and out-of-state
• Develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit,
  and steward donors
• Inspire and coordinate the participation of the dean, faculty,
  staff, and volunteers in fundraising activities
• Work in collaboration with UM Foundation teams including
  Development, Prospect Research and Management, Marketing and
  Communications, Stewardship, and Gift and Fund Administration

 

Minimum Qualifications

The UM Foundation and Franke College seek a candidate who excels
in relationship-building and communication, possesses a high level
of self-motivation, and is team-oriented.

Other requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Five or more years of development experience, with at least two
  years of fundraising experience in a higher education setting,
  environmental-related nonprofit, or similarly related or complex
  organization, with a working knowledge of the principles and
  practices of major gift fundraising

 

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with environmental issues of the Rocky Mountain
  West

 

About the Franke College

Since its founding in 1913, the Franke College has become a
national leader in academics, research, and hands-on learning in
the fields of environmental science, conservation, and
sustainability.

The college was part of the first cohort of university programs
accredited by the Society of American Foresters in 1935. Today, the
Franke College’s academic and research programs are renowned,
ranking fifth for scholarly productivity in influential ecology
journals and with a Wildlife Biology program that’s recognized as
the top program in North America.

The Franke College’s academic and research capacity, coupled with
our proximity to Western Montana’s extraordinary ecosystems and
wild lands, results in unparalleled opportunities for hands-on
learning, high-quality academics, and meaningful conservation
endeavors. The Franke College also leverages the strengths of its
home in Missoula, where a diversity of influential and
well-regarded conservation nonprofits, government organizations,
and NGOs offer access to a dynamic community of scientists and
conservationists. 

The Franke College benefits from robust philanthropic support from
donors and alumni, including, most notably, the Bill and Carolyn
Franke family, who made a transformative $24 million gift to name
the Franke College – the largest single donation the University has
received – and which serves students and programs focused on
environmental research and hands-on learning experiences.

 

About the University of Montana Foundation

The UM Foundation connects donors’ passions with needs and
opportunities at the University of Montana.  Serving the
University as an independent nonprofit, the UM Foundation manages
the University’s private fundraising efforts, donations and
investment of endowed gifts.

The UM Foundation is committed to maintaining a diverse and
inclusive workplace that reflects the people and culture of the
University it serves.  UM Foundation employees enjoy a
collaborative culture and inspiring mission to support the
University and its students.

About the University of Montana

As Montana’s flagship university and a top-tier R1 research
institution, the University of Montana sets a high bar for academic
studies, creative accomplishments, and scientific exploration.
Students receive a world-class education in a broad range of
subjects that include the trades, liberal arts, sciences, graduate
and postdoctoral study and professional training.

 

Our Community

Missoula is a thriving community of 77,000 residents who make
their home where five valleys converge. Set in an outdoor
playground of majestic mountains, scenic valleys and winding
rivers, Missoula residents enjoy four distinct seasons, an
energetic college-town vibe, a vibrant downtown, and unparalleled
recreational opportunities.

Missoula offers outstanding cultural and entertainment
opportunities that contribute to the “Missoula Lifestyle.” Big-name
and local artists play Missoula’s varied concert venues and
festivals. Local residents enjoy excellent art galleries, public
lectures, theatrical productions, sporting events and world-class
fly-fishing.

 

Outdoor Recreation

• Rattlesnake Wilderness Area: 5 miles
• Montana Snow Bowl Ski Area: 7 miles
• Flathead Lake: 70 miles
• Glacier National Park: 139 miles
• Yellowstone National Park: 269 miles
• There are 3.1 million acres of wilderness within a 100-mile
  radius of campus.