Director of Advancement

Position Description

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool is a nonprofit organization providing quality environmental education on its 460+ acre nature preserve in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Cottage Grove. Dodge provides environmental and outdoor education experiences for thousands of people every year through school programs, outreach, public programs, events, and a nature-based preschool (Dodge Nature Preschool).

The Advancement Director plays a pivotal role within the Dodge leadership team, entailing the oversight and direction of all development, fundraising, and marketing & communication endeavors for Dodge Nature Center and Preschool. This role leads a team of three dedicated professionals, including the Annual Fund Manager, Communications Associate, and Development Associate.

This role is based out of Dodge Nature Center’s Main Office in West St. Paul and is expected to be in person five days a week.

Dodge offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include health and dental insurance options, retirement plan contributions, and paid time off.

Job Functions and Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Relations – 50%

• Major & Planned Gifts: Develop and manage relationships with individual donors and prospects, with a focus on major and planned gifts. Lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to grow philanthropic support for Dodge.
• Institutional Giving: Lead foundation and corporate fundraising strategies, including prospect research, proposal development, grant submissions, reporting, compliance, and ongoing stewardship of institutional partners.
• Annual Giving: Oversee strategies that engage a broad base of donors, including annual giving, direct mail, digital campaigns, monthly giving, and other opportunities to increase donor participation and revenue.
• Events & Donor Engagement: Lead fundraising and donor engagement events, including the annual benefit, Night for Nature, and other cultivation and stewardship opportunities. Develop strategies that strengthen donor relationships, generate philanthropic support, and create meaningful experiences that connect donors and supporters to Dodge’s mission.

Marketing and Communications – 20%

Develop and lead integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance organizational goals, strengthen brand awareness, and deepen engagement with donors, supporters, program participants, and community partners. Oversee public relations, social media, digital communications, and content development, ensuring messaging is compelling, consistent, audience-focused, and aligned with Dodge’s mission and brand.

Team Leadership – 15%

Lead and manage a team of fundraising professionals, providing guidance, support, and mentoring to ensure the team’s success in meeting fundraising targets.

Administrative Management, Performance Reporting & Board Liaison – 10%

• Oversee the development budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources to maximize fundraising effectiveness while maintaining fiscal accountability. Monitor expenses and revenue performance against established goals and adjust strategies and actions as needed.
• Ensure that the donor database (Bloomerang) is effectively maintained, regularly monitored, and optimized to meet the evolving needs of the organization, supporting accurate tracking, reporting, and relationship management. Lead the tracking, analysis, and reporting of key fundraising metrics—including donor engagement, pipeline activity, and revenue projections—to inform data-driven decision-making.
• Provide regular, clear, and actionable reports to leadership and the board to assess progress, strengthen strategy, and support organizational planning.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Development Committee, partnering with committee leadership to set agendas, provide timely and relevant materials, and support members in advancing fundraising strategy, board engagement, and philanthropic outcomes.

Database Management – 5%

Oversee the management and integrity of Dodge’s donor database, Bloomerang, including gift entry, data entry, and cross-departmental data management. Establish and reinforce consistent data practices, ensuring information is accurate, timely, and maintained according to organizational standards.

Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Educational Background
  Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, marketing, communications, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, 8–10 years of fundraising experience.
• Experience Requirement
  8–10 years of progressive experience in fundraising and/or advancement, including demonstrated success in major gifts and at least 4–6 years of leadership or team management experience. Ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and implement successful cultivation and stewardship strategies. Ability to write persuasively for a variety of audiences, including donor-centric communications.
• Professional Competencies
  Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional conduct. Strategic and forward-thinking approach with strong analytical, problem solving, decision making, communications, time management, and organizational skills. Ability to collaborate effectively and build productive relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Strategic Judgement & Problem-Solving
  Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, make thoughtful and timely decisions, anticipate challenges, and proactively identify and implement solutions.
• Physical Requirements
  Ability to to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds and safely traverse uneven terrain.
• Driver’s License
  A valid and current driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record. Ability to travel locally and regionally for donor meetings, organization events, community engagement, and other business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical & Fundraising Experience
  Demonstrated experience using donor databases and fundraising technology, including Bloomerang, WordPress, and grant management platforms. Experience with capital campaign planning and execution preferred.
• Communication & Relationship Building
  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling donor communications, organizational messaging, and marketing materials. Builds strong, productive relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization and with donors, volunteers, community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Connection to Dodge’s Mission
  Genuine interest in and appreciation for the natural world and a commitment to Dodge Nature Center’s mission of providing exceptional experiences in nature through environmental education.

How to Apply

Application deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026. Please send your resume and cover letter to:

Missi Arens, Executive Director
[email protected]
365 Marie Avenue W
West St. Paul, MN 55118