Development Director
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center is seeking a Development Director to lead and grow our fundraising and donor engagement efforts during an exciting period of growth for the organization.
The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and volunteers to strengthen relationships with current supporters, cultivate new donors, and build the long-term philanthropic support necessary to advance Giants’ mission.
Why Giants, Why Now?
Giants is entering a period of significant opportunity. Our programs, collections, community partnerships, and ambitions are growing, with major projects underway and Spring Grove preparing for its 2027 Homecoming June 23-27, part of a decennial community tradition dating to 1907.
We are looking for a Development Director who can help turn that momentum into lasting support. This is an opportunity to help shape a growing development program, build meaningful relationships with people who care deeply about this place and its stories, and help position Giants for its next chapter.
What You’ll Do
The Development Director will lead Giants’ overall development program, with responsibilities including:
- Cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and major gift prospects
- Implementing strategies for annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, memberships, sponsorships, and campaigns
- Building and maintaining a strong pipeline of prospective supporters
- Partnering with the Executive Director, Board, and volunteers on donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation
- Leading capital and special-project fundraising
- Creating donor communications, appeals, and stewardship efforts
- Maintaining accurate donor information and development activity in Giants’ CRM
- Tracking fundraising goals and results
- Helping engage Board members and volunteers effectively in fundraising
- Inspiring a local culture of philanthropy
- Representing Giants in donor meetings, community events, and other relationship-building opportunities
This is a hands-on development position. The successful candidate should be equally comfortable thinking strategically, building relationships, making an ask, writing an appeal, and following through on the details.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking an experienced relationship-builder with a background in fundraising, development, sales, business development, or a related field.
Strong candidates will be:
- Excellent communicators who genuinely enjoy building relationships
- Comfortable initiating conversations and asking people to support a cause
- Organized, self-directed, and able to manage multiple relationships and priorities
- Collaborative and comfortable working with staff, Board members, and volunteers
- Discreet and thoughtful in handling donor relationships and confidential information
- Comfortable working in a small organization where initiative and flexibility matter
- Interested in history, heritage, storytelling, rural communities, or community-based nonprofit work
Previous nonprofit development experience is strongly preferred, but we welcome candidates with transferable experience in relationship-building, sales, business development, or community leadership.
Schedule & Location
This position may be structured up to full-time, depending on the experience, availability, and fit of the successful candidate.
Giants offers a flexible hybrid work environment. The Development Director should expect to spend at least 40% of their working time in Spring Grove, including work at the Heritage Center, donor meetings, events, and community engagement. Some evening and weekend availability will be necessary.
Compensation
$60,000–$80,000 annually for full-time employment, based on qualifications and experience. Compensation will be adjusted proportionately if a reduced schedule is mutually agreed upon.
About Giants
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center preserves and shares the stories of Spring Grove and the surrounding region through oral histories, genealogy, exhibits, education, public programs, and community projects.
Our mission is simple:
Honoring the giants of our past to keep our story alive today.
Apply
Please email a résumé and brief letter of interest to Joseph Grødahl, Executive Director. Tell us about your relevant experience and what interests
you about joining Giants.
Applications will be reviewed as received, and the position will remain open until filled. Professional references may be requested during the interview process.
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make employment decisions without regard to legally protected characteristics.