Fundraising Associate

Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community of more than 1 million strong—dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Founded in 1986, Rails to Trails Conservancy's national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Ohio, Baltimore, and Milwaukee. For more information, visit www.railstotrails.org. Connect with RTC @railstotrails on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Job Summary

The Fundraising Associate plays a critical role in advancing Rails to Trails Conservancy's fundraising strategy and long-term revenue growth. Working within the major gifts team, this position will strengthen donor pipelines, support proposal development, develop prospect research capacity, develop a more robust corporate sponsorship program, and coordinate grant stewardship and reporting efforts.

The Fundraising Associate will help build the infrastructure necessary to support RTC's ambitious fundraising goals, ensuring that major gift officers, program staff, and organizational leadership have the tools, information, and resources needed to secure and steward philanthropic investments. This position is ideal for a highly organized and collaborative fundraising professional who enjoys both relationship-building and project management.

Job Location

This position is located in our Washington, D.C. National Headquarters and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Occasional local travel is required for donor meetings, events, and organizational needs.

Job Duties

Foundation Fundraising (25%)

• Research and identify prospective foundation funders.
• Develop, write and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry and funding requests.
• In partnership with Major Gifts team, coordinate with program staff to gather project information, budgets, outcomes and supporting materials.
• Manage grant reporting schedules and ensure timely submission of all required reports.
• Maintain accurate records of proposal activity, grant requirements, and deadlines within the CRM.

Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships (25%)

• Manage RTC's corporate sponsorship program, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and benefit fulfillment.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive corporate sponsorship package that outlines partnership opportunities across RTC's events, programs and initiatives.
• Secure corporate sponsorship revenue to support key organizational priorities, raising $200,000+ annually. 
• Develop customized sponsorship proposals and partnership opportunities that align corporate interests with RTC's mission and strategic priorities.
• Ensure sponsor recognition and benefit fulfillment.
• Track sponsorship commitments and cultivation activities within the CRM.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective corporate partners and identify opportunities to expand sponsorship support across RTC programs and initiatives.
• Coordinate communications staff to develop compelling sponsorship assets.
• Explore and develop new sponsorship inventory, including webinars, educational programming, and other mission-aligned engagement opportunities.

Prospect Research and Pipeline Management (20%)

• Conduct prospect research on individuals, foundations, corporations and family philanthropies.
• Prepare prospect profiles - for Major Gifts team, leadership, and document within CRM.
• Support portfolio management for Major Gifts team, when necessary. 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen donor pipelines and increase fundraising efficiency.

Major Donor Fundraising Materials (15%)

• Assist with the development of project case statements and other donor-facing materials for major organizational initiatives.
• Work with program staff to translate technical project information into compelling asks.
• Support the preparation of briefing materials and donor meeting packets.

Planned Giving Materials (15%)

• Develop and maintain planned giving marketing materials, including brochures, donor stories, web content and informational resources. 
• Coordinate planned giving outreach campaigns across print, email and digital channels in partnership with development and communications staff. 
• Support the growth of RTC's planned giving program by creating donor-centered communications that increase awareness, engagement and legacy gift commitments.

Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct reports and will report to the Vice President of Development. 

Basic Qualifications and Personal Attributes

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Three to five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, grants management, corporate partnerships, donor relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience writing grants, proposals, reports or other persuasive communications.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience conducting prospect research and working with donor databases or CRM systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build productive working relationships.
• Commitment to RTC's mission and the power of trails to connect people and places.

Work Environment

• Normal office setting with low to moderate noise level.
• Occasional local travel is required for donor meetings, events, and organizational needs.

Employer’s Right: RTC reserves the right to revise, change or reclassify this job description at any time in accordance with RTC’s business needs. This job description is not an implied contract.