Company description

Organic Growers School (OGS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in the Southern Appalachians, we are empowering individuals and communities in Southern Appalachia to advance organic growing practices, strengthen local food systems, and promote food sovereignty in ways that nourish both people and the planet through accessible, peer-to-peer education and collaborative networks.

OGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. OGS does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, disability, medical condition, genetic information, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and equitable workplace. However you identify, and whatever path led you here, we encourage you to apply.

Job description

Position Overview
Reporting to and partnering with the Executive Director and Advancement Committee, the Development Director will lead and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to grow and diversify revenue streams for OGS. This role is responsible for cultivating major donors, securing sponsorships, and developing systems that support long-term financial sustainability for Organic Growers School.

The Development Director will work collaboratively across the organization to align fundraising with communications, events, programs, and community engagement. They will also play a key role in donor relations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising & Development

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising plan in collaboration with the Leadership Team, Staff, and Board
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and major donors; manage donor relationships and recognition
• Grow OGS’s major gifts program; initiate monthly, annual, and planned giving programs
• Identify and research new funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and donor prospects
• Maintain, track, and report on fundraising data, donor pipelines, and progress toward goals

Corporate Sponsorship & Donor Engagement

• Develop sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for key events, programs, and organizational support
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business sponsors and funding partners
• Negotiate sponsorship agreements and contracts in alignment with OGS values
• Represent OGS and speak at community events, with funders, and in donor meetings

Communications & Events

• Plan, create and execute fundraising communications and campaigns such as appeal letters, newsletters, and sponsorship materials.
• Work with the Communications team to align messaging and branding for fundraising campaigns
• Plan and manage fundraising and donor engagement events, and/or special campaigns
• Coordinate the exhibit hall and manage sponsorship logistics at the Spring Conference

Organizational & Board Collaboration

• Support the Advancement Committee and Board in their fundraising efforts
• Collaborate across teams to align development work with program goals and community needs
• Oversee donor acknowledgment, reporting, and database management with support from staff
• Perform other related duties as requested.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in fundraising, resource development, and/or related nonprofit development work
• Demonstrated success in cultivating donors, securing major gifts, and/or managing corporate sponsorships
• Experience with a wide variety of other development initiatives such as annual fund management, grant proposals, planned giving, direct mail, email, phone solicitation, and web-based peer-to-peer giving campaigns, silent auctions, and/or special events
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices and donor stewardship strategies
• Highly organized with attention to detail, able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Comfort with public speaking, building relationships, and representing the organization externally
• Flexibility to travel within Western NC and Southern Appalachians and work occasional evenings/weekends.

Preferred:

• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Hubspot), Google Suite, and digital communication tools
• Knowledge of the Western NC and Southern Appalachian region
• Familiarity with and interest in sustainable agriculture, food justice, and environmental nonprofits
• Experience with event planning, community outreach, or marketing

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

Deadline

August 10, 2025