About the Role
JOB TITLE: Development Director
ORGANIZATION: Geneva Lake Conservancy
LOCATION: Walworth County, Wisconsin (Hybrid/On-site as required)
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Development Director is a key leadership role responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the Geneva Lake Conservancy’s mission to safeguard land and water resources across Walworth County and the broader region.
Working closely with the Executive Director, this position leads major gifts, capital campaigns, grants, foundation and corporate partnerships, special events, and donor engagement, while helping build a sustainable development program capable of growing annual contributed revenue from $1M to $3M over the next five years.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervises one full-time development staff member, including coaching, goal setting, accountability, workload management, and professional development.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy and Revenue Growth
• Develop and lead a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities, annual revenue targets, and long-term growth.
• Translate fundraising priorities into annual plans, metrics, timelines, and accountability tools.
Major Gifts, Donor Engagement, and Pipeline Development
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and institutional prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement plans.
• Secure major gifts, typically $10,000+, and partner with the Executive Director and Board members on donor strategy.
• Build and maintain a strong donor pipeline through prospect identification, qualification, tracking, analysis, and relationship mapping.
Institutional Giving and Grants
• Lead grant and institutional funding strategy, including prospect research, proposals, reporting, compliance, and calendar oversight.
• Develop and steward relationships with foundation, corporate, and public funding partners.
Campaigns, Events, and Donor Communications
• Oversee fundraising events, special initiatives, and campaigns that advance donor cultivation, revenue goals, and strong ROI.
• Collaborate with staff to align messaging, impact reporting, donor communications, and organizational priorities.
Development Operations and Board Engagement
• Oversee donor database systems, ensuring accurate records, engagement tracking, reports, and leadership dashboards.
• Partner with the Executive Director to support the Board’s Fundraising Committee with agendas, strategy, and accountability tools.
• Promote shared responsibility for philanthropic success among Board, staff, and volunteers.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure major gifts.
• Experience leading fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, grant writing, and CRM-based reporting.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience with land conservation, environmental nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and volunteer leaders.
• Knowledge of planned giving and capital campaigns.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Strategic Thinking: Translates mission and priorities into measurable fundraising plans.
• Relationship Building: Establishes trust with donors and stakeholders.
• Results Orientation: Demonstrates accountability for revenue goals, donor retention, and fundraising outcomes.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively across staff, Board, and volunteer leadership.
• Adaptability: Adjusts strategies based on data and organizational needs.
PHYSICAL AND WORK REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to attend in-person meetings, donor visits, and events, including occasional evenings, weekends, and local travel.
• Prolonged sitting, computer work, and phone or video communication; occasional lifting up to 20 lbs.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
• Salary range: $85,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include up to 3% employer retirement match, monthly healthcare stipend, cell phone stipend, paid time off, and professional development.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing their fundraising experience, leadership approach, and interest in Geneva Lake Conservancy’s mission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to materials received by August 14, 2026. Please send application materials to Executive Director, Ashley Hatley Caruso at careers@genevalakeconservancy.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
The Geneva Lake Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and Wisconsin employment laws. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.
SUCCESS METRICS (FIRST 12–24 MONTHS)
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals while increasing major donor portfolio value and retention.
• Build a strong donor prospect pipeline and secure new foundation and grant funding relationships.
• Achieve defined ROI for fundraising events and strengthen Board engagement in fundraising.
Requirements
Development Director | Geneva Lake Conservancy | Walworth County, WI | Hybrid/On-site
Geneva Lake Conservancy is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and grow a comprehensive fundraising program at a pivotal moment for land and water conservation in Walworth County and beyond.
Since 1977, GLC has protected the glacial lakes, forests, wetlands, working farmlands, and scenic corridors of Walworth County and its surrounding area. Today, we protect 3,745 acres through conservation easements, land ownership, and partnerships, while engaging the community through public nature preserves and programs such as Conservation@Home and Keep It Blue.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraising leader to build lasting donor relationships, strengthen board and community engagement, and help scale annual contributed revenue from approximately $1 million toward $2–3 million over the next five years.
In this role, you will:
Lead a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with GLC’s mission, growth goals, and conservation priorities.
Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of five- and six-figure gifts.
Partner with the Executive Director and Board members on donor strategy, prospect development, and fundraising committee engagement.
Oversee grants, foundation and corporate partnerships, fundraising events, donor communications, and development operations.
Supervise and support one full-time development staff member while helping foster a positive, accountable, mission-driven team culture.
We’re looking for someone who brings:
5–7+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with demonstrated success securing major gifts.
Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
Experience developing fundraising plans, managing donor pipelines, writing grants, and using CRM systems to track progress and results.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style.
Interest in land conservation, environmental stewardship, community impact, or mission-driven nonprofit work.
About the Company
ABOUT GENEVA LAKE CONSERVANCY
Since 1977, Geneva Lake Conservancy has protected the glacial lakes, forests, wetlands, working farmlands, and scenic corridors of Walworth County. Today, GLC protects 3,745 acres through conservation easements, land ownership, and partnerships, and engages residents and visitors through six public nature preserves and community programs such as Conservation@Home and Keep It Blue. GLC was named the 2020 Land Trust of the Year by Gathering Waters Wisconsin.