Director of Development

Director of Development

Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center (GVOLC)
Parkton, Maryland | Hybrid (on-site presence required)

About Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Located on 140 acres in Parkton, Maryland, Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center is a year-round nonprofit dedicated to experiential, nature-based learning that fosters leadership, resilience, connection, and personal growth for people of all ages and backgrounds. Through school partnerships, early childhood programs, summer camps, leadership and team-building initiatives, and community programs, Genesee Valley has served over one million participants during its more than 40-year history.

Genesee Valley is in a pivotal period of growth and is actively advancing a multi-year capital campaign to expand facilities and year-round programming, including the development of an education and multi-use facility to support expanded access and impact. The Director of Development will serve as the organizational lead for this effort while building long-term fundraising capacity.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for leading Genesee Valley’s capital campaign strategy and execution while overseeing a comprehensive development program. This position balances hands-on campaign leadership with long-term donor relationship building, systems development, grant writing and organizational fundraising culture.

Reporting to the Executive Director and working in close partnership with the Board of Directors and Development Committee, the Director of Development will guide major gift strategy, donor engagement & communications, grant opportunities and accountability throughout the campaign lifecycle, while laying the foundation for sustainable contributed revenue beyond the campaign.

Primary Responsibilities

Capital Campaign Leadership 

• Lead planning, execution, and management of Genesee Valley’s capital campaign with a strong emphasis on clear documentation, defined deliverables, timelines, and accountability.
• Develop and maintain a written campaign plan outlining phases, goals, benchmarks, and decision points.
• Build and manage a detailed campaign prospect pipeline, including contact reports, outreach strategies, next steps, and outcomes.
• Ensure all campaign activity is accurately documented in the donor database and supporting systems.
• Produce regular, itemized campaign reports for the Executive Director, Campaign Committee, and Board of Directors, including progress against goals, pipeline health, and risks.
• Oversee consistent use of campaign materials, case statements, and donor-facing collateral.

Major Gifts & Donor Strategy

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and leadership-level donors using structured relationship-building protocols.
• Maintain timely donor contact reports and stewardship records.
• Support the Executive Director and Board in donor meetings, follow-up, and written documentation of outcomes and next steps.

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Serve as staff lead to the Campaign Committee and support the Development Committee as needed.
• Prepare clear, written agendas, materials, and follow-up documentation for campaign and development meetings.
• Coach and equip Board members with structured tools, talking points, and tracking systems to support effective fundraising participation.
• Deliver accurate, transparent fundraising and campaign reports for board review.

Development Operations, Systems & Compliance

• Oversee donor database management (Little Green Light), gift processing, acknowledgements, pledge tracking, and reconciliation in partnership with finance staff.
• Maintain Genesee Valley’s Fundraising Policies and Procedures for fundraising activities, gift acceptance, acknowledgements, pledges, and reporting.
• Ensure fundraising systems support transparency, institutional memory, and continuity.
• Maintain compliance with nonprofit fundraising regulations, ethical standards, and internal policies.

Annual Giving & Institutional Support 

• Maintain annual giving efforts during the capital campaign with clear tracking and reporting.
• Oversee foundation, corporate, and institutional giving with documented proposal schedules, requirements, and reporting deadlines.
• Coordinate proposal development and grant reporting in collaboration with program and finance staff.

Communications & Storytelling

• Partner with staff to articulate Genesee Valley’s mission, vision, and impact using consistent, donor-centered language.
• Ensure donor communications and campaign updates are accurate, timely, and aligned with documented progress and outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience, with demonstrated success in capital campaigns and major gifts.
• Experience managing complex fundraising initiatives with boards and volunteer leaders.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort working in a mission-driven, community-centered organization.

Personal Attributes

• Highly relational, strategic, and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable leading with clarity, structure, and accountability.
• Values transparency, collaboration, and stewardship.
• Passion for experiential learning, nature-based education, and community impact.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their experience with capital campaigns and their interest in Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Email resume to: Jane LaMonica jlamonica@geneseevalley.org