Membership Associate

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. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect nearly 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families. Long a pioneering leader, AFT continues to evolve to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers nationwide, adapting its approach to ensure the continued strength and resilience of agriculture and rural communities nationwide.

Job Purpose

The Membership Associate, reporting to the Director of Membership and Marketing, collaborates with AFT’s fundraising consultants and team to facilitate the membership program smoothly and timely.

Position Summary

The Membership Associate, part of the AFT National Communications team, manages membership operations, direct mail production, and digital fundraising, in collaboration with the Director of Membership and Marketing and affiliated vendors.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and edit direct mail packages and newsletters; manage data files in the Raiser’s Edge donor database; collaborate with fundraising consultants to produce social media and email content; manage caging service vendor for accurate gift processing and acknowledgements; design and publish donation pages and thank you letters
• Help maintain donor database integrity by accurately updating donor records with information received from donors and caging vendor; and assisting with data clean-up projects;
• Ensure AFT’s online donor systems are properly maintained, regularly importing donor information from donor database;
• Update monthly tracking and revenue reports and prepare ad hoc reports.  
• Approve and monitor vendor invoices and support Director with expense reporting;
• Assist with other membership initiatives, including preparing Workplace Giving applications; coordinating Gift Memberships; helping develop Farmer Membership program; 
• Drafting correspondence and generating occasional in-house mailings; 
• Help produce and manage content, including crafting email series, writing copy, selecting media, drafting social media, designing advertising and social media; 
• Assist with implementation of special membership initiatives, including developing peer-to-peer fundraising program; working with new digital partners; organizing social media campaigns, and supporting staff event strategies to grow membership;
• Work with AFT’s fundraising consultant to manage canvassing program;
• Assist in the growth of the sustaining members program, including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship; and helping to facilitate email solicitations and social media posts targeted to this group;
• Ensure AFT’s online donor systems (Salsa) is properly maintained, regularly importing donor information from donor database;
• Refresh donation pages, online thank you letters, and other assets as needed. Facilitate periodic email appends on our donor database;
• Provide excellent customer service by promptly responding to mail/email/phone inquiries from members;
• Contact donors to resolve questions regarding their donations, or update member accounts;
• Update regular tracking and revenue reports, and prepare ad hoc reports for management;
• Working with others on the Membership team, the Executive Team and the Development team to ensure financial requirements are met and inquiries are answered.

• Required: Experience with data-driven membership/annual giving programs, Raisers Edge or equivalent, and familiarity with CMS and email marketing systems.
• Raisers Edge experience or equivalent required, general familiarity with CMS and email marketing systems required. 
• Background including implementation of online campaigns, day of giving, direct mail, and fundraising on social media. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and best practices associated with membership and annual giving at non-profits across direct mail, telephone, online, and other channels. 
• Deep donor relations or related customer service experience a plus. 
• Well-developed time management skills; ability to multi-task and prioritize; and strive for success in meeting established goals and deadlines. 
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and Email Marketing platforms like Salsa; bonus for design tools like Adobe, Canva, and publishing platforms like Statamic and WordPress. 
• Strong design and creative abilities preferred, including familiarity with Adobe Design Suite. 
• Possessing high standards of integrity, credibility, and reliability to articulate the organization’s needs, opportunities, and aspirations with clarity and enthusiasm is required. 
• Possess a sincere commitment to personalized customer service in and outside of the organization.
• Has excellent writing and verbal communication skills and enjoys communicating with members and donors. 
• Expresses enthusiasm; is well-organized; is well-spoken; and is a quick learner.
• Has a commitment to the mission, philosophy, and values of American Farmland Trust. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, membership or loyalty; 
• Communications, marketing, environmental, agricultural and non-profit experience is a bonus.

Working Conditions and Travel

The position is based in AFT’s national headquarters in Washington, DC.  Permanent full-time remote work is possible, dependent upon the candidate’s ability to work within Eastern Time business hours to best collaborate with colleagues and vendors. 

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, and phones. Occasional work in the evenings or on weekends may be required to meet deadlines.  
 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has management responsibility for: Membership Coordinator.

Compensation

This position offers an annual salary of $75,000. 

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 
• Medical & Prescription Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 13 “sick days” per year.
• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes twelve fixed holidays and a week between Christmas and New Years off 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

To be considered, applicants must submit a resume, a cover letter, and complete all screener questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and 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.