Are you invested in the health of the Chesapeake Bay region?
The Chesapeake Bay Trust shares a bold vision for a restored and protected Chesapeake Bay watershed and other natural resources in our area—from the Coastal Bays to the Chesapeake to the Youghiogheny River. We uniquely empower local community-based groups on the ground with the resources they need to take on a meaningful and measurable role in restoring these systems. Healthy natural resources benefit everyone. We know that everyone can make an impact and hundreds of thousands of individuals have come together to improve forests, streams, rivers, bays, wildlife, and more in their own communities.
The Trust empowers these groups by providing grants and technical assistance. Every year, about 400 groups are awarded project money or provided other assistance to accomplish environmental education, community outreach, and local watershed restoration projects. We currently average $20-30 million in grant funding annually. Since our inception in 1985 by the Maryland General Assembly, the Trust has awarded more than $160 million in grants and engaged hundreds of thousands of resident stewards in projects that have a measurable impact.
The Trust is supported by the sale of the Chesapeake vehicle license plate (affectionately known as “the bay plate”); donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form; donations from Maryland’s online boating, fishing, and hunting license system; contributions from individuals and corporations; and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local governments. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for over two decades: on average 90 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.
Current Open Positions
Director of Development
The Chesapeake Bay and our region’s other natural resources are one of the nation’s greatest assets, and at the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we believe getting the community involved is key to restoring and protecting our watersheds. Our tagline, “Empowering people, Restoring nature” perfectly describes who we are: We deliver resources to communities on the ground who lead and sustain their own projects that improve their communities as well as natural resources.
We are looking for a Director of Development to lead a team that tackles all aspects of fund development and stewardship for our organization, while him/her/themselves specializing in major giving and help us ensure the health and vitality of the Bay and our region’s other natural resources for generations to come.
The Director of Development will manage the organization’s major giving program, including executing strategies to steward existing major donors (e.g., events, field tours, individual cultivation); attract new support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and public sources; and build new programs such as our budding endowment and planned giving programs. The Director will also oversee a direct report who leads our annual giving program.
This person will be a key member of a high-energy, collaborative team of 40+ who work diligently to advance the Trust’s mission and daily consider the Trust’s core values of grantee focus, accountability and transparency, inclusiveness, collaboration, and innovation. The Director of Development reports to the Vice President of Communications and Advancement and supervises one development team member. This is a full-time, salaried position (40 hours per week).
Full Position Description and Link to Apply
The position will remain open until filled. Please submit your résumé and cover letter to apply. In your cover letter, please address your ability, based on your skills and experience, to accomplish the specific duties of the position as outlined above. Your cover letter is the most important piece of your application. In your cover letter, please address your ability to accomplish the duties of the position as listed above. Please do not simply list your previous experience. Your cover letter should describe what makes you a strong match specifically for this position, and why this position is a match for you.
The Trust provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and have or are able to relocate to an address in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C. The Trust does not participate in programs that require sponsorship for work visas.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Values
