Who We Are
American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.
We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
The Position
Working with the Director of Annual Giving, the Member Relations Coordinator will help build AFT’s retail membership program in partnership with AFT’s program staff and will provide excellent customer service to donors and prospects.
The position’s overall goal is to help grow AFT’s membership base and improve member retention. This position will help develop and build AFT’s retail membership program, which aims to acquire paid and complimentary memberships from individuals within agricultural or related industries (as identified by AFT program staff and through AFT or industry events). This position will also drive much of the day-to-day member relations with the goal of improving donor retention for AFT’s best donors, including sustainers and near mid-level members.
The position is based in AFT’s national headquarters in Washington, DC. Permanent full-time remote work is possible.
What you'll be working on
Member Acquisition Related
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Proactively work with program staff to drive new membership acquisition, including:
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Preparing program staff to make their own solicitations and/or working with program staff-identified prospect lists to make your own solicitations
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Identifying membership acquisition opportunities at program-driven events and be the lead follow-up, driving cultivation and solicitation directly or training and working with program staff
- Building trust and rapport between program staff and membership – own every level of engaging program staff in new membership opportunities.
- Working with program staff leadership to identify new strategies and tools to drive program-prospect related new member acquisition.
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Drive new retail membership opportunities
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Identify events that staff, including AFT’s President, could attend as speaker or sponsor (both virtual and in-person)
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Attend events to drive with membership promotion and acquisition
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Help further build retail membership program, including developing farmer-specific membership
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Help create farmer membership, including identifying benefits and messaging
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Work with other AFT staff to develop materials targeted specifically to a farmer and rancher audience
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Identify ways to promote farmer memberships
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Increase the conversion rate from complimentary to gift-making members
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Help develop and manage the conversion process of complimentary to paid membership at one-year anniversary
Member Relations Related
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Be the front-person for all inbound Membership inquiries, providing excellent customer service via mail, email, and phone
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Improve donor stewardship through welcome and thank you calls, and other personal communications
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Oversee acknowledgement letter process, including preparing weekly file for caging vendor to fulfill, updating letters periodically, and printing/mailing letters in-house to select donor groups
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Identify ways to improve/expand member benefits, increasing real and perceived value of AFT membership
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Assist with donor reactivation of largest and most frequent donors, through email, phone, and personal communications & solicitations
Qualifications
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Extremely detailed-oriented, proactive, and able to work efficiently and independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Possess a sincere commitment to personalized customer service.
- Experience with nonprofits, fundraising, donor relations, member-based organizations, and/or customer service, a plus.
- Is technologically savvy and inquisitive; and skilled in Excel and Word; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge donor database software or similar a plus.
- Team player that collaborates with colleagues but also can be self-directed.
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Has excellent writing and verbal communication skills and enjoys communicating with members, donors, and colleagues at all levels.
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Expresses enthusiasm; is well-organized; and is a quick learner.
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Ability to adapt and be flexible in a changing environment.
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Has a commitment to the mission, philosophy, and values of American Farmland Trust.
Education and Experience
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Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience.
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1-3+ years of administrative experience; development, environmental, non-profit experience a bonus.
Compensation
The salary range is from $50,000 to $55,000 for full-time employees, based upon experience.
American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:
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Medical & Prescription Coverage
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Dental Coverage
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Vision Coverage
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Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
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Voluntary Life Insurance
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Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
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Health Savings Account (HSA)
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401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment
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Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 “sick days” per year).
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Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
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Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.
Why you should apply:
Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
A diverse and inclusive work environment
A cause and mission you can be proud of
Competitive compensation & benefits
Remote work opportunities
Flexible scheduling
Timeline
Applications must include a resume AND cover letter to be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.