Development Manager

Development Manager

American Horticultural Society (AHS) – River Farm, Alexandria, VA

About Us

Founded in 1922, the American Horticultural Society (AHS) is a national nonprofit with ~22,000 members. We host educational programs, publish The American Gardener magazine, and steward River Farm, a 25-acre historic property on the Potomac River in Alexandria, VA. By joining our team, you’ll support the mission of inspiring people to garden, share plant knowledge, and preserve natural spaces.

Position Summary

The Development Manager supports the day-to-day operations of AHS’s Development program to meet annual fundraising goals. This role is central to donor engagement, gift processing, events, data management, and communications. You’ll ensure donor appeals and acknowledgments are timely, help plan special events like the AHS Gala, manage online giving, and work across departments to support fundraising efforts. The Development Manager reports to the Director of Development and Engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Produce donor appeals, correspondence, and acknowledgment letters.

Manage gift entry and oversee timely processing of donations.

Reconcile gifts with the Finance team and generate monthly reports.

Support planning and execution of the AHS Gala and donor events.

Manage online giving platforms and ensure smooth data flow into Raiser’s Edge.

Coordinate development materials (signage, invitations, newsletters, graphics).

Collaborate with Membership, Finance, and Communications teams.

Oversee the Children’s Nature Library and community partnerships.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: 3–5 years in fundraising/development, annual fund strategy, or donor communications.

Event planning experience a plus.

Technical Skills: Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud NXT preferred; Canva or similar design tools helpful.

Personal Attributes: Strong organizational and communication skills; detail-oriented; able to manage multiple projects; collaborative team player; passion for plants/horticulture is a plus.

Work Environment: Hybrid schedule (1 work-from-home day/week). Occasional evenings/weekends for events.

Compensation & Benefits

Full-time, salaried position: $70,000 (commensurate with experience).

Benefits include:

Health insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and sick leave

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter (PDF or Word) to Katie Tukey, Director of Development & Engagement at ktukey@ahsgardening.org with the subject line: Development Manager Application.

Equal Opportunity Statement:
AHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will need to verify identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.