DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) is seeking an experienced Development Director to lead and grow our philanthropic revenue and long-term financial sustainability.
This is a senior, board-facing leadership role responsible for advancing unrestricted fundraising through major gifts, donor pipeline strategy, and volunteer engagement. The Development Director partners closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to secure meaningful investment in TRWC’s mission to protect, enhance, and restore priority areas of the Truckee River watershed.
We are seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader who can design systems, inspire volunteers, and grow revenue with discipline and focus.
About TRWC
For over 30 years, TRWC has restored meadows, forests, and streams throughout the Truckee River watershed. Our work improves water quality and habitat, strengthens ecosystem resilience, and protects the natural landscapes and people that define our region.
We are a collaborative, science-based organization with a strong reputation for partnership and impact. Our 2026 operating budget is approximately $8 million, supported by public and private funding.
Our team demonstrates an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, as well as the diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of the community we serve.
We are a dog-friendly workplace.
Position Overview
The Development Director leads strategy and performance for unrestricted fundraising, including:
- Major gifts and multi-year commitments
- Donor pipeline development and stewardship
- Volunteer fundraising leadership
- Signature fundraising events
- Unrestricted foundation and corporate giving
Planned giving and endowment growth are longer-term priorities that support TRWC’s future sustainability.
This role builds and leads systems and people. It is not primarily an event logistics or communications execution role.
Core Responsibilities
- Senior Leadership & Board Partnership
- Serves as a senior, board-facing leader within the organization.
- Partners closely with the Executive Director on fundraising strategy, donor relationships, and solicitations.
- Supports and equips Board members in fundraising roles, including donor identification, cultivation, and participation in asks.
- Provides structure, coaching, and accountability to volunteer fundraising leaders.
- Deliver clear, concise fundraising updates and strategic recommendations to the Board.
- Major Gifts & Donor Pipeline Leadership
- Builds, manages, and advances TRWC’s major donor pipeline from identification through stewardship.
- Personally manages a portfolio of high-priority donors and prospects.
- Ensures consistent follow-up, clear next steps, and measurable progress toward revenue goals.
- Lead strategy for cultivation, solicitation, renewal, and multi-year commitments.
- Establish clear metrics and accountability for pipeline performance.
- Prioritize time and effort toward highest-impact revenue opportunities.
- Sustainable Funding Team Leadership
- Builds, leads, and supports the Sustainable Funding Team, composed primarily of Board members and key volunteers.
- Clarifies roles and expectations for team members related to donor outreach and engagement.
- Convenes regular meetings and maintains a clear cadence of actions and follow-up.
- Inspires and coordinates collective fundraising efforts while maintaining accountability for results.
- Donor Engagement Strategy & Events
- Oversees donor engagement activities (e.g., River Talks, River Breakfast, donor tours) as strategic tools to advance the donor pipeline.
- Ensure engagement activities meaningfully advance the donor pipeline.
- Lead strategy for the annual River Breakfast and major gift performance.
- Delegate event logistics appropriately while retaining strategic ownership.
- Planned Giving & Endowment
- Supports the growth of planned giving efforts, including legacy and bequest conversations as appropriate.
- Contributes to early groundwork for an organizational endowment in partnership with the Executive Director and Board leadership.
- Integrates planned and endowment giving into donor conversations when appropriate, without displacing near-term major gift priorities.
- Tracks and stewards long-term commitments.
- Unrestricted Foundation & Corporate Giving
- Lead strategy, cultivation, proposal development, and reporting for unrestricted foundation and corporate funding.
- Manages cultivation, proposal development, and reporting for unrestricted requests.
- Does not manage project-restricted grants or program-specific public funding.
- Outreach & Communications Oversight
- Sets strategy and direction for donor outreach and fundraising communications.
- Oversee appeals, stewardship communications, and donor updates.
- Ensure messaging is compelling, mission-aligned, and revenue-focused.
- Does not personally execute all communications; works through staff, interns, consultants, or vendors.
- Systems, Budgeting & Accountability
- Maintains accurate donor and pipeline records in the CRM.
- Tracks and reports on fundraising progress, including major gifts and unrestricted revenue.
- Develops and manages fundraising budgets and monitors costs.
- Ensure timely donor acknowledgment and stewardship standards. Provides concise fundraising updates to the Executive Director and Board.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in a related field.
- 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising or donor relations experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts.
- Proven experience working closely with Boards and volunteer leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence without relying solely on formal authority.
- Strong relationship-building skills and comfort engaging donors in person and in writing.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and standard office and communications software.
- Conservation or environmental nonprofit experience preferred.
Location & Work Expectations
This position is based in Truckee, California, with regular in-person engagement with staff, Board members, donors, and community partners. Limited flexibility may be considered, but this is not a remote role.
Pay and Benefits
This is a full-time position. Salary range is $105,000–$125,000 annually, depending on experience. A full benefits package is included with insurance, retirement contribution, paid time off, and paid holidays.
We are supported by a professional human resources company, we provide professional development opportunities, and we work hard to have a professional and welcoming work culture.
Learn More About Us
- Explore our website – the “Our Work” pages are often the most interesting to people https://www.truckeeriverwc.org/our-work/
- Read a few of our enewsletters – these have lots of current info. You can subscribe and/or read back issues here: https://www.truckeeriverwc.org/newsletters/
- Check our feeds on Instagram and Facebook – @trwcnews
- Come to a River Talk. River Talks are about our projects. Email info@truckeeriverwc.org to sign up and we’ll send the information.
To Apply
Send a single PDF with your package to mprestowitz@truckeeriverwc.org. The PDF package should include:
- Cover letter highlighting your experience and your interest in the position
- Resume
- 3 professional references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by March 25. The position remains open until filled.