Position Overview
Full-Time | $85,000 – $90,000 | Onsite
Reports to: Executive Director
Sanborn Mills Farm seeks its first full-time Director of Development at a defining moment in the organization’s history.
For decades, Sanborn Mills Farm has been sustained by the extraordinary vision and generosity of its founders. As the organization transitions from founder-funded to a broadly community-supported nonprofit, we are building the systems, relationships, and philanthropic culture that will ensure long-term independence and vitality. This is not a maintenance role. It is a builder role.
The Director of Development, in partnership with the Executive Director, will design and implement a comprehensive development strategy; cultivate meaningful philanthropic partnerships; and serve as a senior leader shaping the organization’s voice, identity, and brand alongside senior leadership staff, the Board of Directors, and volunteers engaged in advancing the mission.
This role reports directly to the Executive Director and is fully onsite in Loudon, New Hampshire.
This is a hands-on leadership role within a small and growing organization. The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director and collaborate with communications, program staff, and board leadership while building the systems and practices that will support the continued growth of Sanborn Mills Farm’s development function.
Organizational Context
Sanborn Mills Farm is a 540-acre working farm and traditional-heritage-based craft school where history is practiced, skills are passed hand-to-hand, and tradition shapes the future. Our work is the archive; community use is preservation.
The organization is entering a new chapter marked by:
• Significant real estate and endowment gifts from the Cabot family
• Expansion beyond founder-based support
• Launch of an Annual Fund
• Creation of the Flywheel Initiative (20 leadership donors at $5,000 annually)
• Strategic planning toward capital, scholarship and endowment growth
Sanborn Mills Farm also benefits from more than two decades of relationships built through workshops, craft education, agricultural programs, and partnerships with artisans, educators, and supporters who care deeply about the preservation of traditional craft and working landscapes.
The organization is positioned for incremental growth, building upon this engaged community while expanding philanthropic participation and long-term institutional support.
The Director of Development will help translate this moment into a durable philanthropic framework rooted in community partnership.
Core Responsibilities
Build and Lead Comprehensive Development Strategy
• Create a strategic philanthropic framework that integrates annual, major, planned, and institutional giving
• Design and implement a multi-year development plan
• Launch, maintain, and grow the Annual Fund
• Explore and implement a membership program
• Develop and oversee the Flywheel Initiative
• Build and manage a robust major gifts relationship management system
• Assist the Executive Director in shaping and refining the Case for Support
• Integrate fundraising messaging across institutional communications
• Utilize CRM/software systems
• Develop and maintain a dashboard of key indicators
Major Gifts & Relationship Management
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors
• Co-solicit major gifts with Executive Director, Board members, and volunteers
• Develop donor strategy and briefing materials
• Conduct cultivation meetings
• Establish stewardship systems
Institutional & Corporate Support
• Lead foundation, corporate, and grant strategy
• Identify new funding prospects
• Manage proposals and reporting
Capital & Planned Giving
• Develop capital campaign readiness
• Implement planned giving strategies
• Support endowment growth
Board Engagement
• Support Board giving strategy
• Build tools and expectations
Stewardship & Events
• Design donor events
• Align programming with fundraising
Leadership in Messaging
• Shape external voice
• Align fundraising with brand
Founder Transition
• Support transition to community-supported model
• Maintain clear reporting lines
Qualifications
• 5–10+ years fundraising experience
• Major gifts success
• Strong communication and strategy
• High emotional intelligence
• Experience in small organizations preferred
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $85,000 – $90,000
Health insurance
Retirement benefits
Paid time off
Professional development support
This role is expected to grow in scope and responsibility as Sanborn Mills Farm’s philanthropic programs expand.
We recognize that candidates bring a wide range of professional and life experiences. If you are excited about the mission of Sanborn Mills Farm and believe you could contribute meaningfully, we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications are encouraged to be received by May 1st. Please send a cover letter and resume to: Mike Molla, Executive Director, Sanborn Mills Farm. mike@sanbornmills.org