Employment Opportunities at Fishtrap

Website Redesign

Fishtrap is now accepting proposals for work on redesiging our website. Please download our REVISED RFP here. (.pdf file, revised 12/13/11)

Development Coordinator

Fishtrap Overview
Fishtrap is a 24 year old literary arts organization dedicated to promoting clear thinking and good writing in and about the West. Based in Enterprise, Oregon, at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains, Fishtrap is particularly interested in the rural West, the power of place to provide a creative wellspring, and the contemporary issues facing the West. Each summer 150-200 writers join us for a week of creative writing workshops and panel discussions on a particular theme. We also offer a fall and spring writer’s retreat that attracts aspiring and established writers from throughout the West. In addition we offer a robust local literary arts program in Wallowa County and several nearby rural counties.

Position Summary:
The Development Coordinator is responsible for a wide range of fundraising, marketing, and community outreach activities to raise awareness of and funding for our programs. The Development Coordinator oversees our individual donor program including direct mail, special appeals and phone contacts; writes foundation grant proposals and reports; does donor data entry and donor report analysis; and organizes events designed to introduce Fishtrap to our potential supporters. Over the next two years the Development Coordinator will help design and execute a special 25th Anniversary major donor campaign. This is a part-time, 20 hr/week position based in Enterprise, Oregon. It requires occasional evening and weekend work and involves some travel to Portland and other urban centers.

The ideal candidate is passionate about the value of creative writing and literary arts programs, feels at home in the rural West, but also moves comfortably in urban communities. This person is a creative self-starter who is results-oriented and who has a collaborative working style, fundraising experience, excellent written and oral communications skills and outstanding interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will have experience running a variety of fundraising campaigns including direct mail, grant-writing, and event coordination. Experience with donor data tracking is strongly preferred. Familiarity with contemporary literature, the rural West in general and Wallowa County in particular is a plus.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • In consultation with the Executive Director, review and update our comprehensive fund development plan including, but not limited to grant writing, major gifts, spring and fall fundraising direct mail campaigns, and special events; 
  • Execute annual grant activities plan, including prospecting, writing grant proposals and reports, keeping our foundation tracking system up to date, and conducting timely assessments;
  • Conduct individual donor campaigns, including a spring and fall direct mail piece with follow up emails and phone solicitation, and a summer special appeal.
  • Develop a Wallowa County public relations program, and build a volunteer team to help coordinate that outreach
  • Lay the groundwork for a major donor campaign for our 25th Anniversary year
  • Manage development aspects of database including record keeping, tracking contributor and prospect information, processing gifts and acknowledgements, generating reports and maintaining development files;
  • Represent organization at appropriate gatherings for networking and other information sharing or public speaking opportunities;
  • Work with our media coordinator and program coordinator to update our public relations literature, create updates for our website, and pursue social media opportunities. Manage production of development mailings, and other public relations materials as needed.

Reports to: Executive Director
Skills and Qualifications:
Minimum of 2 years development experience working with direct mail, grant writing, and event organizing.
Familiarity with and enthusiasm for contemporary literature, writers and writing organizations.
Interest in living and working in Wallowa County.
Bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, Communications, Business, Marketing or related field.
Excellent written and verbal skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word
Familiarity with Salesforce content management system preferred, but not required.
Creative, detail oriented individual with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
Hours, Salary and Benefits:
This is a 20 hours/week, exempt position, with room to grow into a 30 hr/week position over time. Salary DOE. Includes a modest benefit package.
TO APPLY:
Submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample to: Ann Powers, Executive Director, at ann@fishtrap.org. Please put the words “Development Coordinator Position” in the subject line. Make your email the cover letter; attach the resume and writing sample in a .doc or pdf format. Position open until filled.