Assistant/Associate Director of Fundraising

Description

About Unity:
At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance Education, Sustainable Ventures, and In-Person Education). We prioritize our students' needs above all else, offering a variety of modalities, including in-person, and online. Our innovative and inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

About The Enterprise Model:
In 2017, Unity Environmental University pioneered a shift in organizational structure by embracing the Enterprise Model. This innovative model strategically segments the university into several Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs), each functioning with a high degree of autonomy. Designed akin to a matrix organization, the Enterprise Model combines the benefits of both centralized and decentralized management, enhancing the university's agility and responsiveness to the dynamic needs of its students and broader societal challenges.

This entrepreneurial framework fosters an environment where each SEBU operates as an independent entity, yet is interconnected with the university's core mission. The SEBUs are empowered to develop specialized programs, services, and products that directly meet the unique demands of their specific audiences.

Leadership within the Enterprise Model is both collaborative and authoritative; decisions are made efficiently at various levels, from the President to the Heads of SEBUs and Chief Officers, all incorporating feedback from relevant stakeholders. This model abolishes traditional silos and eschews the need for consensus, ensuring that no single entity can veto the decisions of another, thereby maintaining a streamlined and effective decision-making process. In this model, every faculty member reports to a Dean who oversees their daily work and performance evaluations.
 

Our Mission:
We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward sustainable ecosystems.
 

The Opportunity:
The Assistant/Associate Director of Fundraising plays a critical role in advancing Unity Environmental University’s philanthropic efforts by developing and executing fundraising initiatives that drive donor engagement and increase both donors and annual giving. This position is responsible for managing call campaigns, social media and fundraising efforts to inspire philanthropy. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and strategic self-starter with experience in donor customer service, organization, and digital engagement. This position is responsible for maintaining pertinent information on the website for alumni and donors, and keeping alumni and donor records up to date and accurate in our information system.

Day to day responsibilities:

• Develop and implement annual fundraising strategies to meet or exceed donor growth and revenue targets.
• Plan and execute targeted call campaigns to engage prospective and existing donors, ensuring donor retention and growth.
•  Design and manage social media fundraising campaigns that inspire philanthropy and enhance Unity’s digital presence.
• Identify and cultivate donor relationships, focusing on major gift prospects, recurring donors, and new supporters.
• Track and analyze fundraising performance metrics, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve annual goals.
• Oversee and maintain the alumni webpage, ensuring it remains current, engaging, and reflective of Unity’s ongoing impact.
• Create and manage a compelling social media presence focused on donor engagement, philanthropy storytelling, and campaign promotion.
• Develop digital content, including donor spotlights, impact stories, and fundraising appeals, to enhance donor participation.
• Partner with the communications team to integrate fundraising messaging across various marketing channels.
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising events, including Giving Tuesday, donor appreciation receptions, and special campaigns.
• Work closely with leadership to implement peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives and ambassador programs.
• Leverage donor databases and CRM systems to manage donor outreach, record interactions, and analyze engagement trends.
• Accurately maintain a donor database that reflects pertinent historical and current information.
• Ability to travel for donor networking with flexibility to be available on evenings and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?

• Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, with a proven track record of meeting outcomes.
• Experience managing call campaigns, social media, and engagement strategies.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills to inspire philanthropy across digital and traditional platforms.
• Proficiency in donor management software (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar) and social media analytics tools.
• Ability to travel as needed and work evenings and weekends to support donor engagement and fundraising events.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to “ghost write” for various Institution administrators, staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to learn subject-specific terminology for use in developing written materials.
• Management and administrative skills to motivate, direct and evaluate staff and volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals.
• Superior organizational and time-management skills; the ability to multi-task and to set priorities.
• Ability to obtain a Maine driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Passion for Unity’s mission and a commitment to advancing philanthropy.
   

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges. Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the individual we're searching for!
 

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine
Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education, In-Person @ Pineland, and the School of Environmental Business & Sustainable Ventures are based at the Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the country.
 

Work Schedule:
Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs. Although Unity Environmental University employees are generally scheduled to work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity Environmental University location.
 

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.
 

Company Perks:
Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:

• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance