Development Director

The Development Director is VVMTA’s lead fundraiser, responsible for growing philanthropic revenue through relationship-based fundraising. This role builds and manages a portfolio of donors and potential donors, develops and executes an annual fundraising plan, leads donor-centered fundraising events, including the annual Trails Forever fundraiser, and expands membership and corporate support.

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and works in partnership with the Board of Directors and staff to achieve goals. While this position does not lead communications, marketing, community events, or grants, it provides development focused support to these efforts, helping translate outreach and impact storytelling into fundraising opportunities, deeper donor relationships, and progress toward VVMTA financial goals.

The Development Director’s fundraising efforts directly enable VVMTA to serve our community through our mission, providing the philanthropic resources needed to advance our programs, trails, and stewardship projects. By growing and sustaining support from donors, members, and partners, this role strengthens VVMTA’s long term financial sustainability and capacity to deliver lasting impact across Eagle County.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key donors, board members, sponsors, and community stakeholders to advance VVMTA fundraising goals
• Create and implement a multi-year fundraising plan that drives donor engagement, including moves management steps for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Manage an individual portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, with clear next steps and consistent follow-up
• Develop personalized proposals and ask for annual, multi-year, and restricted gifts aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities
• Grow the major gifts program by upgrading existing donors and identifying new prospects, in partnership with the Executive Director and Board
• Actively prospect and solicit new donors, including donor research and discovery meetings
• Identify new funding opportunities that contribute to a diverse and comprehensive fundraising plan
• Lead the development and execution of the annual fundraising plan, including goals, strategies, timelines, and performance tracking
• Work in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to create and grow a VVMTA endowment and to plan for future comprehensive campaigns that support organizational capital needs, including raising capital funds for priority trail and conservation projects

• Lead donor-centered fundraising events, including but not limited to VVMTA’s annual Trails Forever fundraiser, to achieve financial goals and strengthen donor relationships
• Develop event strategy, budget, timeline, run of show, and staffing plan
  Drive event sponsorship and underwriting strategy, including outreach, asks, fulfillment, and stewardship
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to identify sponsors, table sales, ticket sales, auction items, and key donor potential donors connected to events
• Support and attend other community events that advance VVMTA visibility and relationship building, with a focus on cultivation and donor engagement

• Grow VVMTA membership revenue by strengthening the member journey from acquisition through renewal, using donor and member-centered messaging and clear value propositions
• Develop and execute membership campaigns, including seasonal pushes and year-end efforts, in coordination with VVMTA communications and outreach
• Build and maintain relationships with business and community partners to increase corporate support through sponsor ships, cause marketing, workplace giving, and in‑kind contributions
• Create and refine membership and corporate support packages, proposals, and benefit fulfillment practices that improve retention and renewals
• Maintain an active pipeline of membership and corporate potential sponsors and manage timely outreach, follow‑up, and stewardship