<div>Job Type</div><div>Full-time</div>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, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 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 SummaryThe Trailblazer Society Manager is responsible for growing Rails to Trails Conservancy’s unrestricted revenue through engagement, stewardship, and appeals of mid-level donors. This role manages a $1 million+ portfolio of Trailblazer Society (TBS) donors and prospects giving between $1,000 and $10,000 annually, using a primarily one-to-many engagement strategy.Working closely with the Director of Strategic Giving, Major Gift Officers, Development Operations, and consultants, the Trailblazer Society Manager executes a comprehensive mid-level donor program that deepens donor engagement at scale, strengthens the major gifts pipeline, and enhances the overall donor experience for Trailblazer Society members. Job LocationThis position is located in our Washington, D.C. National Headquarters. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule in accordance with RTC’s policies. Job DutiesRevenue Generation &amp; Portfolio Management<ul><li>Manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of 300+ Trailblazer Society donors, with a focus on retention, and pipeline development.</li><li>Conduct proactive, personalized outreach, including thank-you calls, stewardship touchpoints, and relationship-building check-ins.</li><li>Identify donors with major and planned giving potential and collaborate closely with Major Gift Officers to support pipeline development and coordinated donor strategies.</li></ul>Donor Engagement &amp; Stewardship<ul><li>Design and execute Trailblazer Society–exclusive engagement opportunities, including:</li><li>Quarterly webinars (topic development, guest speakers, promotion, hosting)</li><li>A thrice-annual TBS newsletter (content curation, editing, and distribution via print and email)</li><li>Targeted direct mail appeals tailored specifically to mid-level donors</li><li>Develop and maintain a strong understanding of messaging and language that resonates with mid-level donors and apply those insights consistently across communications.</li><li>Stay informed on donor engagement trends through professional networks, research, and fundraising best practices.</li></ul>Events &amp; Experiences<ul><li>Create, manage, and attend periodic (no more than six annually) in-person events (bike rides on trails, hosted happy hours, Celebrate Trails Day, trail openings, etc.) for TBS donors nationwide, including the annual Trailblazer Society Tour.</li><li>Coordinate logistics with vendors, internal teams, and participants to ensure a high-quality donor experience.</li><li>Partner with Major Gift Officers on event strategy that supports pipeline development and stewardship goals.</li></ul>Research and Analysis<ul><li>Analyze, generate, and interpret TBS donor activity to guide TBS fundraising strategy. </li><li>Use and recommend tools to enrich data in CRM to support identification of donors with potential for increased giving or making a planned gift. (MarketSmart, Wealth identification tools, etc). </li></ul>Administration &amp; Development Operations<ul><li>Monitor anticipated and received mid-level and major gifts, ensuring timely follow-up and acknowledgment.</li><li>Open, sort, scan, and code donations of $500+ received by the Washington, D.C. office for data entry by Development Operations.</li><li>Edit outgoing TBS-level acknowledgements for accuracy and personalization. </li><li>Serve as the primary liaison with RTC’s stockbroker for donor stock gifts.</li><li>Conduct donor research and share insights weekly with Major Gift Officers.</li><li>Accurately record all donor actions, interactions, and stewardship activities in the donor database.</li><li>Fulfill Trailblazer Society donor benefit requests, including trail gear, TrailLink subscriptions, and other premiums, ensuring timely delivery.</li></ul>Planned Giving Coordination<ul><li>Coordinate RTC’s Planned Giving program, including verification of planned gifts, coding for database entry, and liaison with estate administrators. </li><li>Serve as a knowledgeable resource for Trailblazer Society donors interested in legacy and planned giving opportunities.</li></ul>Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.RequirementsBasic Qualifications and Personal Attributes<ul><li>Bachelor’s or associate degree preferred; with a minimum of five years of experience in membership, mid-level, or donor relationship fundraising.</li><li>Strong relationship-management and inter-personal skills.</li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate RTC’s mission, programs, and why donor support matters.</li><li>Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.</li><li>Experience using donor databases (CRMs) and fundraising systems to support scalable fundraising programs and donor engagement. And knowledge of fundraising models (Annual Fund, Membership, Major Gifts, Events-based, etc.) highly recommended.</li><li>Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and communicate with diverse stakeholders.</li><li>Strong interest in and commitment to RTC’s mission, as well as biking and walking culture. </li><li>Proactive, solutions-oriented, and able to navigate donor inquiries and challenges with professionalism.</li><li>Valid driver’s license required; ability to travel up to 10% of the time.</li></ul>Work EnvironmentNormal office setting with low to moderate noise level. 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.<div>Salary Description</div><div>$71,000 minimum annually</div>

At Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), we believe that communities are healthier and happier when trail networks are central to their design.
Since 1986, RTC has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country, serving as the national voice for the rail-trail movement.
With more than one million grassroots supporters, 23,000 miles of rail-trails on the ground nationwide and more than 8,000 miles of rail-trails ready to be built, our focus is on linking these corridors&mdash;creating trail networks that connect people and places, bringing transformative benefits to communities all across the country. Our flagship initiatives&mdash;TrailLink.com, TrailNation&trade; and the Great American Rail-Trail&trade;&mdash;bring that strategy to life, connecting millions of people by trail.
For three decades, RTC has served as the national voice for trails, setting the precedent that rail-trails are need-to-have community assets and establishing policies and practices that ensure these trails are built.

Mid-Level Giving Trailblazer Society Manager

<div>Job Type</div><div>Full-time</div>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, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 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 SummaryThe Trailblazer Society Manager is responsible for growing Rails to Trails Conservancy’s unrestricted revenue through engagement, stewardship, and appeals of mid-level donors. This role manages a $1 million+ portfolio of Trailblazer Society (TBS) donors and prospects giving between $1,000 and $10,000 annually, using a primarily one-to-many engagement strategy.Working closely with the Director of Strategic Giving, Major Gift Officers, Development Operations, and consultants, the Trailblazer Society Manager executes a comprehensive mid-level donor program that deepens donor engagement at scale, strengthens the major gifts pipeline, and enhances the overall donor experience for Trailblazer Society members. Job LocationThis position is located in our Washington, D.C. National Headquarters. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule in accordance with RTC’s policies. Job DutiesRevenue Generation &amp; Portfolio Management<ul><li>Manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of 300+ Trailblazer Society donors, with a focus on retention, and pipeline development.</li><li>Conduct proactive, personalized outreach, including thank-you calls, stewardship touchpoints, and relationship-building check-ins.</li><li>Identify donors with major and planned giving potential and collaborate closely with Major Gift Officers to support pipeline development and coordinated donor strategies.</li></ul>Donor Engagement &amp; Stewardship<ul><li>Design and execute Trailblazer Society–exclusive engagement opportunities, including:</li><li>Quarterly webinars (topic development, guest speakers, promotion, hosting)</li><li>A thrice-annual TBS newsletter (content curation, editing, and distribution via print and email)</li><li>Targeted direct mail appeals tailored specifically to mid-level donors</li><li>Develop and maintain a strong understanding of messaging and language that resonates with mid-level donors and apply those insights consistently across communications.</li><li>Stay informed on donor engagement trends through professional networks, research, and fundraising best practices.</li></ul>Events &amp; Experiences<ul><li>Create, manage, and attend periodic (no more than six annually) in-person events (bike rides on trails, hosted happy hours, Celebrate Trails Day, trail openings, etc.) for TBS donors nationwide, including the annual Trailblazer Society Tour.</li><li>Coordinate logistics with vendors, internal teams, and participants to ensure a high-quality donor experience.</li><li>Partner with Major Gift Officers on event strategy that supports pipeline development and stewardship goals.</li></ul>Research and Analysis<ul><li>Analyze, generate, and interpret TBS donor activity to guide TBS fundraising strategy.&nbsp;</li><li>Use and recommend tools to enrich data in CRM to support identification of donors with potential for increased giving or making a planned gift. (MarketSmart, Wealth identification tools, etc).&nbsp;</li></ul>Administration &amp; Development Operations<ul><li>Monitor anticipated and received mid-level and major gifts, ensuring timely follow-up and acknowledgment.</li><li>Open, sort, scan, and code donations of $500+ received by the Washington, D.C. office for data entry by Development Operations.</li><li>Edit outgoing TBS-level acknowledgements for accuracy and personalization.&nbsp;</li><li>Serve as the primary liaison with RTC’s stockbroker for donor stock gifts.</li><li>Conduct donor research and share insights weekly with Major Gift Officers.</li><li>Accurately record all donor actions, interactions, and stewardship activities in the donor database.</li><li>Fulfill Trailblazer Society donor benefit requests, including trail gear, TrailLink subscriptions, and other premiums, ensuring timely delivery.</li></ul>Planned Giving Coordination<ul><li>Coordinate RTC’s Planned Giving program, including verification of planned gifts, coding for database entry, and liaison with estate administrators.&nbsp;</li><li>Serve as a knowledgeable resource for Trailblazer Society donors interested in legacy and planned giving opportunities.</li></ul>Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.RequirementsBasic Qualifications and Personal Attributes<ul><li>Bachelor’s or associate degree preferred; with a minimum of five years of experience in membership, mid-level, or donor relationship fundraising.</li><li>Strong relationship-management and inter-personal skills.</li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate RTC’s mission, programs, and why donor support matters.</li><li>Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.</li><li>Experience using donor databases (CRMs) and fundraising systems to support scalable fundraising programs and donor engagement. And knowledge of fundraising models (Annual Fund, Membership, Major Gifts, Events-based, etc.) highly recommended.</li><li>Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and communicate with diverse stakeholders.</li><li>Strong interest in and commitment to RTC’s mission, as well as biking and walking culture.&nbsp;</li><li>Proactive, solutions-oriented, and able to navigate donor inquiries and challenges with professionalism.</li><li>Valid driver’s license required; ability to travel up to 10% of the time.</li></ul>Work EnvironmentNormal office setting with low to moderate noise level. 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.<div>Salary Description</div><div>$71,000 minimum annually</div>

Mid-Level Giving Trailblazer Society Manager

About the Job

About the Company

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Similar Jobs

Major Gift Officer

Major Gift Officer

Philanthropy Director

Philanthropy Director

Mid-Level Giving Officer I

Mid-Level Giving Officer I

Senior Manager, Individual Major Gifts (California)

Senior Manager, Individual Major Gifts (California)

Institutional Giving Specialist

Institutional Giving Specialist

Major Gifts Fundraiser / Partnerships Lead (Part-time)

Major Gifts Fundraiser / Partnerships Lead (Part-time)

Senior Associate, Philanthropic Partnerships

Senior Associate, Philanthropic Partnerships

Associate Director, Donor Systems

Associate Director, Donor Systems

Donor Relations Manager, Institutional Giving

Donor Relations Manager, Institutional Giving

Director of Philanthropy

Director of Philanthropy