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Development Director Opening

Four Winds * Westward Ho is seeking its next Development Director. This is an incredible leadership opportunity at an incredible camp, and we’re seeking a truly special development professional. If you are passionate and skillful at building community and philanthropy to support wonderful experiences for children, you should give this position a look.

Ruth Brown, a former schoolteacher, founded Four Winds in 1927. In 1968, Miss Ruth retired, created a 501(c)3 organization, and donated Four Winds to that organization. So, for the second half of its life, Four Winds has appeared on the surface to be just like some of the best privately owned camps in the country, but with the advantages of running as a nonprofit organization. Because of our nonprofit status, we’ve created and maintained one of the country’s most robust financial aid programs, reserving 20% of our camper spots for families that need financial aid, despite having a long waitlist of families willing to pay full price. We’ve been able to maintain our unique tradition of big boat sailing, owning and operating a 61’ yawl, Carlyn. And, we’ve been able to maintain the magical (though somewhat high maintenance) character of our beautiful 160-acre property on Orcas Island.

But, all of that is secondary to the community we create for young people in the summer. For almost 100 years, this place has provided the most valuable and positive formative experiences in the lives of thousands of children. The Development Director is a key part of making that happen every summer.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, implement, manage, and evaluate all aspects of annual fundraising campaigns including:
  • Recruit, train, motivate, and supervise volunteer leadership to achieve fundraising objectives.
  • Conduct research and identify potential donors to determine appropriate strategies and appeals.
  • Manage a database of donor information
  • Prepare and distribute Camp publications
  • Manage Alumni Relations
  • Communicate with Alumni and Families of Campers and Staff in the summer
  • Plan events for Alumni and Families of Campers and Staff
  • Support Year Round programming as a contributing staff member
  • Contribute to planning for Four Winds’ 100th anniversary in 2027.

Qualifications:

  • An understanding of the benefits camp can offer children and the ability to tell that story in a way that connects it to philanthropy.
  • Experience with nonprofits and fundraising. Professional development experience is preferred, but other nonprofit professional experience, volunteer fundraising experience, and related professional experience will also be considered.
  • Organizational Skills – The candidate must keep dozens of facts and tasks straight at a given time, without dropping balls.
  • Flexibility – Every day is different as a year-round camp staff member, and the candidate will need to be able to change gears.
  • Trust – the ability to build and maintain trust with a diverse group of people. 
  • The ability to communicate well and professionally in diverse and sometimes complex circumstances, maintaining confidentiality when needed.
  • The ability to create connections quickly and genuinely with many types of people.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Computer savvy, in particular when it comes to database management.
  • A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  • At least 21 years old (an insurance requirement to drive Camp-owned vehicles).
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Valid Driver’s license and clean driving record.
  • Ability to pass a criminal background check.
  • The ability to walk over rough terrain at least 3 miles a day.

Particulars:

  • The starting salary range for this position will be $80,000-$110,000 annually. To be at the higher end of that range, the candidate must have more extensive professional experience and will need to commit to more aggressive fundraising targets. 
  • There is flexibility for this position to either live year-round on Orcas Island or work primarily remotely from the mainland. In either case, year-round housing is not provided for this position. If remote, this position will require one to come to Orcas Island for at least one week around the beginning of the First Session, 10 days in between the sessions, and one week around the end of the Second Session. Four Winds will provide off-site, AirBnb style housing for those trips. Additionally, if remote, this position must come to Orcas Island for board meetings twice a year in May and October. If remote, preference will be given to candidates with better access to Orcas Island. 
  • Regardless of whether the successful candidate is based on Orcas or is remote, approximately 20 days a year of travel is required. This is in addition to the trips to Orcas outlined above for remote candidates.
  • This is a year-round, full-time, FLSA Exempt position.
  • Benefits include:
    • Paid Time Off (two weeks vacation, increasing to three weeks after three years, and four weeks after six years, 13 paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and up to four weeks of sick time).
    • a Health Reimbursement Arrangement benefit of $950/month
    • a SIMPLE-IRA retirement plan including employer match of employees’ contributions up to 4% of the employee’s salary.

To apply:

Send an email with a resume and cover letter attached in pdf format to paul@fourwindscamp.org before January 13. Please do not send hard copies. Phone interviews will begin with selected candidates as soon as is practicable, with in-person interviews to follow for the candidates that move on from the phone interview round. Start date is as soon as possible, with preference given to candidates that can start earlier. 

Four Winds is an equal opportunity employer. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.