Development Director

The Opportunity

Chocorua Lake Conservancy seeks an experienced and strategic fundraising professional passionate about land conservation to lead the organization’s fundraising program and support its mission of conserving the Chocorua Lake Basin for future generations, protecting water quality, providing equitable lake access, and maintaining hiking and walking trails.

This new senior leadership role oversees a comprehensive development program to meet annual fundraising goals. The Director will lead annual giving, major gifts, and foundation partnerships while strengthening the systems and relationships that sustain long-term conservation work. The successful candidate will be a relationship-driven fundraiser with a demonstrated ability to secure gifts, cultivate meaningful donor partnerships, and guide sophisticated fundraising strategies.

While the role is primarily focused on fundraising, the Development Director will provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing, ensuring that messaging and storytelling effectively support philanthropic engagement.

The Development Director will serve as a key member of the leadership team and work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and staff to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.

This position will ensure Chocorua Lake Conservancy has the resources needed to achieve its strategic goals—driven by strong relationships, meaningful partnerships, and sustained philanthropic support. This position will play a central role in shaping the organization’s growth, with corresponding opportunities for growth in the role and compensation.

Philanthropy at Chocorua Lake Conservancy

Philanthropy at CLC is collaborative and mission-aligned—bringing together board members, staff, and donors to build lasting relationships and ensure CLC can protect and care for the region’s most treasured landscapes for generations to come. The organization engages a broad base of supporters through membership, year-end appeals, major gifts, planned giving, mini-campaigns, and foundation grants.

Many CLC donors have a deep, lifelong connection with the Chocorua Lake Basin, including many 2nd- or 3rd-generation donors. Some CLC member households have been donating for 50+ years.

In 2025, revenues from annual fund giving increased by 21%, and total revenues approached $800,000. While the greatest number of gifts come from individuals contributing less than $500—reflecting a broad base of community support—the majority of the total funds raised come major donors who have a deep commitment to helping to fund land conservation, water quality, sustainable lake access for all, and trail maintenance.

Last year, CLC's work was made possible by financial support from over 700 households and businesses across 71 New Hampshire towns and 34 states. This support included gifts from 141 first-time donors. CLC also benefited from the commitment of over 200 volunteers, who contributed more than 2,400 hours to our mission and work. Our donors and volunteers are inspired not just by the outcomes of CLC’s work, but by the opportunity to be active partners in shaping a healthier, more resilient future for the Chocorua Lake Basin.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy

• Lead and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports annual fundraising goals.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen donor relationships and fundraising engagement.
• Identify new philanthropic opportunities and expand the organization’s funding base.
• Oversee foundation and grant strategy, including prospect research, proposal development, and reporting.

Donor Engagement and Programs

• Oversee the organization’s annual giving and membership programs.
• Lead donor cultivation events and stewardship strategies.
• Expand planned giving and partnerships with local businesses.

Communications Strategy

• Provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing to ensure alignment with fundraising priorities.
• Guide messaging and storytelling that inspire philanthropic investment in land conservation, water quality, trail maintenance, and sustainable public lake access.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team.
• Partner with program staff to translate conservation priorities into compelling funding opportunities.
• Support board members in their fundraising roles and strengthen the organization’s culture of philanthropy.
• Conduct fundraising practices to the highest ethical standards to gain and maintain the trust of CLC donors.

Key Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3 to 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, including annual fund management and major gifts.
• Experience managing or contributing to large annual fundraising programs.
• Expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship best practices.
• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts.
• Experience in planned giving and/or capital campaigns is welcomed but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Familiarity with Google Apps and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with CRM donor management systems.
• Passion for land conservation and community-based nonprofit work.

Additional Information

Over 150,000 people visit CLC's three public access areas at Chocorua Lake each year. Chocorua Lake is one of only a handful of lakes in New Hampshire where anyone, not just town residents and lakefront owners, can park and swim for free. In 2013, the Chocorua Lake Basin was featured on New Hampshire’s second “America the Beautiful” quarter. The Chocorua Lake Basin is a southern gateway to the White Mountains, including the Sandwich Wilderness Range. The Appalachian Mountain Club reports that the view of Mount Chocorua from the southern end of Chocorua Lake is among the most photographed in the world.

Our History and Staff: Chocorua Lake Conservancy functioned as an all-volunteer land trust for its first 48 years. Ten years ago, CLC hired a year-round Stewardship Director as its first full-time employee to add professional expertise and expand its land stewardship program. Four years ago, CLC hired its first Executive Director. Over the past 10 years, the CLC team has grown to include 8 staff members: 3 full-time employees, two part-time employees, a part-time bookkeeper, and 2 AmeriCorps members.

Our Office: CLC maintains a dog-friendly office in Chocorua Village.

Our Location: Chocorua is part of Tamworth, a small town with a vibrant community and a significant second-home and summer population. Chocorua is at the intersection of the Lakes Region and the Mount Washington Valley, 20 minutes from North Conway, 15 to 45 minutes from a variety of downhill and cross-country ski areas, 1½ hours from Portland, Maine, and 2 to 2½ hours from Boston.

Work Conditions and Physical Demands: This position is onsite but may work one day a week remotely; additional remote workdays are negotiable. Occasional travel is required, with select evening and weekend work commitments

• Health insurance reimbursement
• Employer retirement match
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid family and medical leave
• Parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off and outdoor days
• Paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement
• Relocation stipend and/or assistance available