Director of Development, Sky High Farm 

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Co-Executive Directors – Sarah Workneh and Josh Bardfield Direct Reports: Grants Manager

Location: NY or CT. The farm is located in Ancram, NY. Successful candidates will be excited to work from the farm one to three days per week, occasionally on the weekends, and travel throughout NY to meet with partners.

Starting Salary Range: $95,0000 – $110,000

About Sky High Farm 

Sky High Farm is committed to community-centered research and action to contribute solutions toward urgent and long-term issues at the intersection of climate, agriculture, food access, and education. Our work responds to urgencies in the food system by proposing a dynamic model – moving beyond a single issue to understand and address the interconnection of nutrition, security, economic and health disparities, and the history of structural, racial, and educational injustice.

Sky High Farm: 

● Distributes culturally appropriate food to a variety of local partners (over 25,171 lbs last year).

● Dedicates 20% of our annual budget to grantmaking: supporting organizations, individuals, and communities to build and sustain their own farm and food sovereignty projects.

● Hosts a 9-month paid, residential, experiential, educational Fellowship during which our lead farmers offer practical farm skill building as well as a more holistic understanding of season cycles, ecosystems, soil biology, vegetable production, and livestock management (and their connection) as a pathway into farming.

● Convenes and facilitates recurring programs for local youth organizations.

● Conducts ecological research and monitoring to document and share the impact of regenerative farming on air, land, and water health.

In 2023, Sky High Farm purchased a 560-acre former dairy farm that will be the site of its new home – representing an exponential change in our potential impact. After nearly a decade of steady growth, we are seeking our first full-time Director of Development to help us rapidly ramp up resources in support of that potential.

About the Position 

Sky High Farm is seeking its first Director of Development. We are looking for someone who is deeply mission-aligned, and we will prioritize candidates with the willingness to grow, learn, and evolve alongside the farm. The Director of Development will manage all activities related to fund development, donor cultivation, major giving, annual giving, events, grant seeking, and capital campaigns in conjunction with all fundraising activities of the Board of Directors and staff.

Here’s what you could expect to do as our new Director of Development (key responsibilities):

● Work with the Co-Executive Directors to determine organizational fundraising priorities.

● Establish annual fundraising goals and budgets for short- and long-term institutional objectives and targets.

● Build non-transactional relationships with existing and potential donors; invest time to get to know our pipeline of support.

● Research, compile, and maintain a list of prospective donors, including corporations, foundations, and individuals.

● Supervise the Grants Manager; help craft proposals for sponsorships and grants.

● Lead & supervise grant submission deadlines, donor database management, and reporting to funders.

● Design and implement an individual giving program to significantly increase organizational revenue and cultivate donor relationships.

● Produce relevant and informative fundraising literature for distribution to donors and the public.

● Plan fundraising events that effectively communicate the purposes of the organization.

● Collaborate with the rest of the team to generate content for newsletters that promote Sky High’s work and participate in on-site farm tours for donors.

● Oversee the fundraising process and maintain records of receipts and disbursements of funds.

● Lead formal evaluation of fundraising events and appeals.

● Perform other related duties as assigned.

We’ll also look for the Director of Development to: 

• Bring strong relational awareness. At Sky High Farm, we are working to restore relationships between humans and the land. To succeed in this role, you’ll be someone who honors a variety of life experiences and perspectives. You’ll build relationships from a place of humility and solidarity.
• Prefer collaborative leadership. You’ll be part of the senior leadership team of the organization, helping to build strategy, develop priorities, and envision what’s possible. You’ll bring your own ideas and perspectives, as well as a depth of experience in fundraising.
• Help advance our goal of healing injustice. We will expect you to apply equitable work practices and help make our programs more inclusive. You’ll play an active role in centering our values through your behavior, measures of success, and storytelling.
• Bring an abundance of potential into our second decade of operation. We have a small pool of major donors, a wide audience of support, and a decade of learning and stories to share. You’ll build a strategy that brings in the resources and partnerships we need to exponentially ramp up our budget and impact.
• Serve as a resource to our partners. Help amplify partner successes, make connections between partners, and facilitate cooperative fundraising efforts.
• Seek out opportunities to deepen skills. We expect each member of the team to explore and propose development opportunities that align with their interests and the team’s priorities.

What We’re Looking For 

We’re seeking a dynamic and experienced fundraising professional with:

• 7-10+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising (strongly preferred).
• A deep commitment to Sky High Farm’s mission and values.
• Proven leadership with excellent management and supervisory skills.
• Exceptional communication abilities – both written and verbal.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to cultivate and maintain donor relationships.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising software.
• Hands-on experience in grant writing, individual donor cultivation, and nonprofit fundraising.

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds as needed.

Benefits 

● $95,0000 – $110,000 starting salary range, with the exact salary depending on experience.

● Medical coverage, 70% premium coverage for employees.

● 401k plan, vests after one year of employment.

● Paid family leave, 12 weeks.

● 10 days of PTO and 10 paid federal holidays.

How to Apply 

Sky High Farm has engaged Parkes Philanthropy to support this hiring process. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to kristine@parkesphilanthropy.com, with subject line “Director of Development, Sky High Farm”. Applications received by Friday, April 25th will be given priority, therefore, we encourage you to submit yours soon.

Sky High Farm is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity in our hiring and employment practices and strive to create an environment that is conducive to collaboration and respect for difference.