Development Associate

Lancaster Farmland Trust

The Development Associate will join a hard-working, productive team of development professionals responsible for connecting the community to Lancaster Farmland Trust’s mission and sustaining the organization’s impact through fundraising, events and grants. The Development Associate will provide assistance in several areas critical to the organization including grant management, donor relations and corporate stewardship. The position affords opportunities for professional growth and project oversight.

Essential Duties:

The Development Associate will report to the Director of Grants and Gifts and play a key role as a member of the Development and Communications Department in the following ways:

Grant Management:

  • Assist with the administration of LFT’s robust grant portfolio, including narrative and budget reporting, drawdown requests and other funder requirements.
  • Assist with shaping, assembling and submitting grant requests, including narrative pieces, letters of support, proposals, budgets, and any other required materials.
  • Conduct prospect research to identify new grant opportunities that meet existing and future needs, and work with all departments to develop plans for submission.

Donor Relations:

  • Manage the donor acknowledgment process.
  • Manage the donation intake process, including the tracking of gifts and LFT’s online gift interfaces.
  • Provide general support for the stewardship of donors via communication and assistance with LFT’s membership societies.

Corporate Support Stewardship:

  • Assist in the stewardship of LFT’s current corporate supporters via gift tracking, sponsorship solicitations, and communication/acknowledgements.
  • Conduct research to identify areas for increased corporate support opportunities, including cobranding and educational partnerships.

Qualifications:

  • While an ideal candidate does not necessarily need experience in agriculture or land/water conservation, they must be philosophically committed to the mission and vision of the organization and willing to work efficiently and imaginatively to ensure LFT’s development efforts are successful.
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • 2+ years of applicable grant administration experience, required.
  • Aptitude for strategic thinking and problem-solving.
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent writing, analytical and research skills.
  • Self-motivated, highly organized, detail oriented.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Lancaster Farmland Trust offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: health, dental and vision insurance; short & long term disability; retirement contribution; life insurance; generous time off; some remote work; and flexible hours.

 

 

It is LFT’s policy to select, place, train and promote the best qualified individuals. We consider relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic predisposition, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, citizenship, marital status or domestic partnership status, labor union membership, military or veteran status, or other non-job-related criteria.

Lancaster Farmland Trust was established in 1988 by local citizens concerned about the loss of farmland in Lancaster County. LFT mission is to: Vigorously accelerate the permanent protection and stewardship of farmland. With a vision that our farms, soil, water, and roots are protected for all. Since its inception, LFT has protected 568 farms and nearly 35,000 acres of farmland – ranked #1 in Pennsylvania for farmland preservation.