About ACORN: The Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), founded in 2009, is a small
non-profit with the mission to promote the growth and health of local food and agriculture in
Vermont’s Champlain Valley by providing support to our farmers and food producers, engaging in food
education and ensuring access to healthy food for all members of our community. From the Tour de
Farms and Guide to Local Food and Farms to the Farmacy program, ACORN is a catalyst for developing
local, sustainable and collaborative solutions that adapt to community needs. The ACORN Food Hub is
a space for aggregation, storage and distribution for local producers.
This is a part time position. A significant portion of this position’s workload can be handled remotely
but the position will be based out of Middlebury. Special consideration will be given to candidates
within a 1 hour driving distance of Middlebury.

Purpose:
This role will work closely with the Executive Director to grow and implement ACORN’s development
plan. The Development Manager is responsible for leading ACORN’s fundraising strategy to sustain the
organization while it builds a strong and just local foodshed in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. The DM
will be responsible for overseeing fundraising efforts including donor relations, stewardship and
business sponsorships. They will develop systems and ensure objectives for current and prospective
donors (individuals, businesses, foundations, and government) that meet the organization’s financial,
programmatic, and long-term priorities. The DM is responsible for stewarding donor relationships and
supporting grant applications. This role is an opportunity to join a dynamic and evolving organization,
and to work with a small team of people who are passionate and dedicated to the work of increasing
farm viability as well as access to local food for all members of our community.

Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising Strategy & Implementation
● Execute ACORN’s development plan to increase revenue from donors
● Identify and pursue new funding opportunities that align with ACORN’s mission.
● Work with the E.D. and finance team to set and achieve annual and multi-year funding goals
● Generate fundraising progress reports; track and analyze key growth metrics. Provide assessments based on realistic data and feedback.
● Oversee fundraising for ACORN’s annual appeal
● Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and laws, maintaining accountability standards to donors, a code of ethics, and standards of professional conduct for fundraising executives.
 

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
● Cultivate relationships with major donors and prospects (individuals, businesses and foundations), ensuring engagement and long-term commitment.
● Plan and execute donor stewardship activities, including personalized outreach, events, annual appeals, and impact reports.
● Oversee donor data management including the maintenance of a comprehensive and accurate database of donors, ensuring accurate records, timely follow-ups, gift tracking, acknowledgment, recognition, cultivation strategies, and general communications.
● Develop and expand ACORN’s planned giving program.

Grant Management & Institutional Giving
● Collaborate with the E.D. on grant proposals and reports to public and private granters.
● Assist with tracking of grant deadlines and compliance requirements.
● Identify new grant opportunities.

Special Events & Donor Communications
● Assist with fundraising events and community engagement initiatives.
● Collaborate in directing the execution of stewardship programs, including ACORN’s Annual Meeting, the Tour de Farms and the Champlain Valley Guide to Local Food and Farms.
● Work with the ACORN team to design and implement a business sponsorship program
● Collaborate with the communications team to create donor-specific materials
● Support the organization in other matters as identified and assigned.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
● Hybrid role with office space located within an industrial food warehouse.
● Requires regular computer work and occasional tabling at events around the state, lifting 20-30 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Minimum of three years experience leading successful individual giving programs at nonprofits or campaigns, with significant fund development experience, and a track record of successful fundraising results.
● Excellent relationship-building skills with examples of cultivating authentic relationships with donors of varying backgrounds, interests, and giving capacity, specifically individual donors, foundation and corporate funders.
● Working knowledge of best, promising, and emerging practices and innovations in fundraising. Experience applying for and managing government grants is a plus.
● Existing relationships with/knowledge of philanthropists and foundations in Vermont, especially Vermont’s Champlain Valley.
● Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information effectively and confidentially.
● A willingness to challenge conventional thinking, combined with the ability to collaborate effectively and encourage dialogue.
● Demonstration of exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills, along with strong verbal communication skills.
● Technical skills with computers, spreadsheets, emails, design and digital business management tools such as: G-suite, Slack, Zoom, Canva, Trello and CRM software, including Constant Contact and Little Green Light.
● Comfortable with change and growth in an evolving organization; a creative problem solver.