Development Director

Massachusetts Avenue Project 

Development Director Job description

Commitment: Full Time, 40 hrs/wk 

Application Deadline: February 14, 2025

Location: In office at 387 Massachusetts Avenue, with some flexibility for remote work Compensation: $60,000 with benefits including health, dental, vision insurance, retirement  benefits, Paid Time Off, 15 paid holidays and more 

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of related experience required 

The Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) is a food justice organization in Buffalo, NY, working  to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression in the food system through our  programmatic and advocacy work. MAP strives to build a workplace that includes paid  positions for people from traditionally underrepresented groups and is committed to building a  diverse and inclusive staff that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage qualified members of diverse communities to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for  employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression,  sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. 

Position Title: Development Director  

Reports to: Executive Director

Organization Summary: The mission of the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP)  (www.massave.org) is to nurture the growth of a diverse and equitable community food system  to promote local economic opportunities, access to affordable nutritious food and social  change education. MAP operates an urban farm, a city-wide Mobile Market Program to  improve nutritious food access, a commercial kitchen to support microenterprise development  and community education, and a year round youth employment and training program in urban  agriculture and food systems. We also manage 2 units of affordable housing located at our  Farmhouse headquarters. We work to build partnerships and coalitions to advocate for food  system change in support of health and food equity and environmental justice. MAP values  creativity and cooperative principles and team problem solving.  

Position Summary: As a key member of our team, the Development Director will have responsibility for comprehensive planning, development, management and execution of MAP’s development/fundraising efforts. This individual will work closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees to increase revenue through the personal solicitation and stewardship of individual donors, cultivation and solicitation of foundation and corporate support and special events management. The Development Director will be charged with expanding and diversifying MAP’s donor base, and coordinating an annual fundraising, communications and marketing plan for the organization. The Development Director will work closely with the Operations Director and Executive Director to set and execute strategic objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Create and lead a comprehensive Annual Development Plan to solicit major donor giving, corporate and foundation support, thru direct mail, online fundraising, events and other initiatives to meet established organization fundraising goals.
• Manage relational development, including donor cultivation, solicitation and recognition
• Lead  organizational communications plan including social media strategy and production of marketing materials, including brochures, newsletters and annual reports
• Supervise the Communications Manager (PT) and their role in executing the organizational communications plan
• Oversee and participate in MAP’s Editorial Team, including social and print media creation
• Direct the maintenance and upgrades to the organizations’ website (WIX or wordpress) and public information communication to promote and expand the visibility of MAP’s work in the community
• Coordinate and work closely with the Development Committee of the Board to plan special events and develop donor cultivation. 
• Manage donor database and conduct periodic analysis of fundraising strategies.  Work to improve the financial return of existing initiatives, identify and implement new fundraising vehicles, and increase the profitability of fundraising activities.
• Lead all aspects of fundraising and event planning for MAP’s annual signature fundraiser
• Provide MAP farm and Farmhouse tours to funders, partners and prospective donors
• Provide a monthly Development Report to the Board of Directors, including KPI Dashboards and progress related to the Annual Development Plan
• Manage MAP’s Volunteer Program, including organizing volunteer days, coordinating opportunities across programs, and overseeing logistics and communications
• Supervise an Americorps VISTA Staff member dedicated to capacity building activities related to Development, Communications and Volunteer Program
• Support staff events and activities as needed

Qualifications:

• Three to five years’ experience in fundraising and communications with non-profit organizations
• Outstanding relationship building skills and high comfort level to work effectively with the donors, and corporate and foundation executives
• Experience with CRM software and donor tracking (We use Little Green Light)
• Proficiency in Google Analytics, including tracking performance metrics and interpreting data to optimize campaigns
• Familiarity with Google Ads and other digital advertising platforms
• Knowledge of SEO best practices and tools for improving web visibility (e.g., Google Search Console, SEMrush, or similar platforms)
• Experience with email marketing platforms, specifically MailChimp
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment that includes staff, Board Members and youth
• Project Management experience and ability to motivate co-workers, interns and volunteers
• Experience with event planning, particularly large fundraising events
• Comfortability with Canva and basic graphic design skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills 
• Fluency with social media and experience with wordpress or WIX website editing
• Flexible schedule; ability to work occasional evenings, weekdays, and weekends
• Bachelor’s degree required; a relevant advanced degree preferred.
• Commitment to food justice a plus

To apply please send a cover letter, resume and two references to: 

Diane Picard at dpnoc@mass-ave.org by February 14th, 2025