Summary
Description
Title: Director of Individual Giving
Department: Development
Position Reports To: VP of Development
About Butterfly Pavilion: At Butterfly Pavilion, (BP) we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, firsthand learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.
Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization:
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Make Science Cool
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Love What You Do
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Go Above and Beyond
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Lead Change
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Know Your Stuff
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Be Positive
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Welcome All
These aren't just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.
FLSA: Exempt, Full-Time
Work Schedule: Onsite | Monday through Friday | 5 days/week | Occasional weekends/evenings as required.
Salary/Hourly Rate: $70,000–$85,000, with bonus potential
Position Summary:
The Director of Individual Giving leads Butterfly Pavilion’s efforts to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors. The Director will be responsible not only for managing existing donor relationships but also for building the program by identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new donors from Butterfly Pavilion’s membership, annual giving base, and broader networks.
This is an entrepreneurial role fundraiser who thrives on building authentic donor connections and expanding a developing portfolio. The Director will also serve as a thought partner to the VP of Development, contributing creative ideas and strategies to strengthen the individual giving program and working collaboratively to refine and implement them. As part of a growing development team, the Director of Individual Giving will play a central role in shaping the future of fundraising at Butterfly Pavilion.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
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Build, retain, and grow a portfolio of 100–125 donors by migrating qualified members and donors from pipeline.
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Proactively identify, qualify, and cultivate new major gift prospects to expand the portfolio.
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Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to secure and upgrade gifts.
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Drive donor acquisition and upgrades by building strong, authentic donor relationships.
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Conduct regular donor visits, calls, and personalized outreach to deepen engagement.
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Track and report on donor activity, pipeline development, and revenue progress toward goals.
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Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM system and use data to inform portfolio strategy.
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Prepare compelling donor proposals, briefings, and impact reports as needed.
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Represent Butterfly Pavilion in donor meetings, cultivation events, and community settings.
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Collaborate with colleagues across Development, Education, and Conservation to align donor engagement with institutional priorities.
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Bring forward creative strategies to strengthen the individual giving program and work in partnership with the VP of Development to refine and implement them.
Competencies:
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Donor-Centered Mindset: Demonstrates genuine interest in donors’ values and motivations; able to connect their philanthropy to organizational mission.
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Builds Relationships
Builds trust and rapport with a wide range of stakeholders, from first-time donors to long-term supporters to colleagues.
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Initiative
Takes action without being asked. Identifies what needs to be done and seizes opportunities to advance donor relationships and revenue.
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Communication Skills
Strong written and verbal communication; able to craft compelling proposals and engage donors in meaningful dialogue.
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Fund Development
Ensures innovative fund development strategies are developed, cultivated, and implemented to grow revenue. Works effectively with Development team and stakeholders to identify opportunities.
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Strategic Thinking
Anticipates challenges, identifies opportunities, and develops creative solutions to grow individual giving.
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Results and Goal Oriented
Sets ambitious goals and monitors progress. Follows through on priorities and produces high quality results. Maintains commitment in the face of challenges.
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Project and Time Management
Plans and guides cultivation plans from start to finish. Organizes resources and manages time to meet deadlines for proposals, events, donor engagement, and annual goals.
Position Qualifications and Experience:
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3–5 years of professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success in individual giving or major gifts.
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
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Proven ability to build a donor pipeline, including hands-on prospect research, qualification, and cultivation.
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Proven ability to grow and manage a donor portfolio, including securing and increasing individual gifts.
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Strong prospecting and donor acquisition skills, with a track record of identifying and engaging new donors.
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Entrepreneurial spirit and motivation to help shape and strengthen a growing individual giving program.
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Excellent relationship-building, listening, and communication skills.
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Familiarity with donor databases/CRM systems (Neon a plus).
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Ability to work independently while also serving as a collaborative thought partner to leadership.
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Passion for conservation, education, and science-focused missions.
Work Environment / Physical Requirements:
While performing the responsibilities of this position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
At Butterfly Pavilion, the employee is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time.
While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The employee is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employee should be able to lift, carry and items up to 50 lbs.
How to Apply:
Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.
Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter.
Submit an application at https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/butterflies/jobs/3886847-1055658
Position is open until filled. No phone calls or drop in's please.
