Join Our Team: Development Director Position at American Wild Horse Conservation

AWHC is seeking a strategic and experienced Development Director to lead fundraising efforts, with a focus on major gifts. This role involves planning and executing a comprehensive strategy, collaborating on digital fundraising, and engaging directly with donors. It’s a full-time remote position with travel, and preference will be given to candidates based in the Western U.S.

Description

ABOUT AMERICAN WILD HORSE CONSERVATION

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is the nation’s leading conservation organization preserving freedom and habitat for the iconic wild horses and burros of the American West. A growing organization with a $3.4 million budget and 100% Charity Navigator rating, we are raising the standard for wild horse and burro protection with the world’s largest humane population management program, a land trust that is acquiring and restoring habitats, a dynamic awareness campaign that is empowering and expanding a strong grassroots advocacy base, and a policy program that is strengthening legal protections through legislation, litigation, and investigations.

AWHC is headquartered in Davis, California.

POSITION SUMMARY

AWHC seeks a strategic, experienced, and self-driven Development Director who is passionate about animal/wildlife/equine protection to lead our fundraising efforts. The successful candidate will bring extensive development experience, with a strong emphasis on major gifts and the ability to work independently. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director will be responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes major gifts, corporate giving, institutional support, and grant oversight. The Director will also collaborate with the communications team on digital fundraising and will engage with major donors directly, driving AWHC’s development initiatives forward.

This position is a full-time remote position with travel requirements. Since AWHC’s work and donor base are largely in the West, strong preference will be given to candidates located within this region.

Salary

$90,000 - $110,000 per year

APPLY HERE

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the creation and implementation of a multi-year comprehensive fundraising and engagement plan to expand financial contributions and establish a diverse and sustainable income base, focusing on major donors, family foundations, donor-advised funds, planned giving, grants, and corporate sponsorships.
• Partner with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors’ Development and Marketing Committee to engage the board in fundraising efforts, providing support and guidance on outreach and solicitation.
• Cultivate a donor-centric culture aligned with AWHC’s mission and values, integrating best practices in development and philanthropy trends.
• Represent AWHC at donor meetings, events, and speaking engagements, effectively communicating the organization’s impact and vision.

Fundraising & Major Gift Management

• Develop and implement a structured program for cultivating and managing major gift donors, including individual and institutional supporters.
• Establish clear standards for donor identification, targeting, moves management, stewardship, and recognition, with a strong focus on building and managing a pipeline of major gift prospects.
• Personally drive fundraising efforts through direct solicitation, relationship building, and high-level donor engagement.
• Oversee the grants program, working closely with the grant writer to secure funding and expand institutional support.
• Collaborate with the communications team to enhance digital fundraising strategies and execute effective campaigns.
• Support the development of planned giving and corporate partnership programs to diversify funding sources.
• Lead the planning and execution of key fundraising events, such as galas, auctions, and donor appreciation events.
• Maintain and optimize the Donor Management Software (CRM), including cleaning up data, creating processes, and ensuring accurate metrics for donor tracking, stewardship, and overall fundraising effectiveness.

Management & Future Growth

• Establish metrics and accountability systems to measure progress toward development goals, ensuring strategic alignment and effective resource allocation.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop and manage the annual fundraising budget, monitoring financial performance against goals.
• Oversee direct reports and be responsible for building and leading a team as the organization grows.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college and 5+ years of related development experience, with a proven track record in securing major gifts and driving successful fundraising initiatives independently.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred.
• Experience with Donor Management Software (CRM) such as EveryAction or equivalent, with the ability to effectively leverage CRM tools for donor cultivation, tracking, and stewardship.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and achieve measurable income and performance goals.
• Expertise in building donor acquisition and retention programs, including multi-year fundraising campaigns.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite, Slack, and Canva preferred.
• Ability to travel, including multi-day trips within the U.S., primarily in the Western U.S.
• Experience in non-profit advocacy work.

TRAVEL

Up to 25% travel within the US. Most travel will be in the Pacific and Mountain time zones.

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, parental status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable laws.