Director of Development
ABOUT VINEYARD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Originally formed in 1965 by a small group concerned with the preservation of the
natural habitats of the island of Martha’s Vineyard, today VCS takes a broad view of
conservation. In addition to traditional land protection, addressing the Island’s current
and future environmental challenges increasingly requires an informed and mobilized
public. Through public education, local political advocacy, and legal defense work, we
promote community action in pursuit of a healthy environment and sustainable future.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT FOR OUR WORK
There is a widespread sense of urgency for this work, but the challenges are complex.
Martha’s Vineyard's extraordinary natural resources attract so many admirers that the
population swells more than tenfold during the summer months, leading to singularly
difficult threats to the island’s natural resources and to affordable year-round living.
VCS has long recognized that the island must manage a delicate balance of human and
environmental needs, and the organization takes a thoughtful approach to conservation,
paired with a patience and passion for navigating the interpersonal complexities within
a diverse island community.
While the VCS mission includes a wide range of environmental work, there are currently
specific focus areas: open space protection; curbing growth and development; habitat
health; climate change; and single use plastic reduction.
THE OPPORTUNITY
VCS seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial director of development to design,
lead, and grow a dynamic fundraising program that reflects the distinctive character of
Martha’s Vineyard, providing strategic leadership and direction in financial
development to advance the VCS mission through major gifts, annual giving, grants,
bequests, special events and capital campaigns.
This is an ideal role for a mission-driven leader who thrives in a small, high-impact
organization; understands the nuances of an island community with seasonal rhythms;
and is energized by relationship-building, experimentation, and strategic storytelling
that sets VCS apart in a deep field of local charitable organizations.
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The director of development will report to the executive director, and will help engage a
participatory board of directors, create a culture of active involvement in fundraising
efforts and will serve as one of the key ambassadors to donors, local partners, and Island
residents.
This is an in-person role, working from our offices at the Wakeman Center, with the
potential for some flexibility and a limited number of remote hours. Many activities,
including regular staff and working group meetings, require in person attendance.
Some meetings and events will be on weekends and/or outside normal work hours.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
● Build and implement a comprehensive development plan that includes annual
giving, major gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, and special campaigns.
● Understand and be responsive to Martha’s Vineyard’s seasonal
patterns—maximizing VCS’ summer visibility while sustaining engagement with
donors and the community throughout the off-season.
● Design creative, data-informed fundraising experiments and pilot new
approaches to broaden VCS’s donor base and deepen loyalty.
Donor Engagement & Stewardship
● Identify, cultivate, and steward a portfolio of major donors, both seasonal and
year-round, ensuring personalized and meaningful engagement.
● Develop compelling donor communications that highlight VCS’s impact,
conservation leadership, and connection to Island life.
● Plan and execute events—large and small—that resonate authentically with the
Vineyard community and attract new supporters.
● Collaborate with staff on outreach, communications, to reinforce VCS’s brand
and message.
Organizational Development
● Work closely with the executive director and board to cultivate a culture of
philanthropy, building their fundraising capabilities and engagement.
● Develop systems, processes, and metrics that help VCS assess what works, learn
from experimentation, and scale successful approaches.
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● Oversee development operations, including CRM management, gift processing,
and reporting.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
● 10+ years of fundraising experience, with a strong preference for background in
major gifts and relationship-based fundraising and demonstrated success in
one-to-one solicitations and relationship building, specifically in six-figure+ gifts.
● A proven track record of designing and executing successful fundraising
strategies, managing donor portfolios and cultivating relationships, particularly
for small or entrepreneurial organizations.
● Experience supporting the executive director and board leadership in closing gifts
and the ability to do the same independently as needed.
● Creative, iterative approach to testing new engagement ideas and learning from
results.
● Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural fluency with both year-round and
seasonal communities. Comfort engaging donors in person, over Zoom and at
events.
● Strong written and verbal storytelling abilities.
● Excellent organizational and time-management skills; able to balance donor
meetings, follow up, and strategy development.
● Familiarity with the Vineyard or similar seasonal communities strongly
preferred.
● Ability to work flexible hours—including occasional evenings and summer events.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
● Aptitude for and enjoyment of community engagement. Knowledge of the
dynamics of the Vineyard is ideal or an excitement for developing that knowledge
and for being an active community participant.
● Ability to develop and oversee projects and programs from inception to
completion, including working on multiple projects concurrently, both
independently and as a member of small teams in a dynamic and creative
environment; meeting deadlines and responding quickly to changing
opportunities.
● Aptitude for working with a board of directors, staff, committees, and volunteers,
as well as forging collaborations with colleague organizations to work in effective
partnerships. A general enthusiasm for a team approach and for creative,
collaborative problem solving.
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● Warm, authentic relationship-builder who listens deeply and inspires trust.
● Strategic thinker who can zoom between big picture and hands-on execution.
● Passion for protecting the land, water, wildlife and community character of
Martha’s Vineyard, and an unswerving commitment to making Martha’s
Vineyard and VCS an equitable and diverse community where every resident is
valued and can enjoy the unique Island environment.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
VCS offers competitive total compensation. Housing is not provided, but VCS will help
provide information and local knowledge to assist with a transition to the Island if
necessary. The annual salary will be closely tied to experience, but is anticipated to
range from $85,000-$100,000.
Benefits include medical and dental insurance, employer contribution to a 403B plan,
and time off.
TO APPLY
All candidates should submit a cover letter and detailed resume to
jobs@vineyardconservation.org.
Vineyard Conservation Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Research shows that
underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications.
VCS encourages you to break that statistic and apply. No one ever meets 100% of the
- qualifications. We look forward to your application.