Jobs & Internships

Native Plant Trust is seeking its next director of Development to lead the organization's fundraising and donor stewardship programs during an exciting time of renewal and planned growth. The organization celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2025, has a newly appointed chief executive officer who joined in 2024 after a distinguished career in botanic garden leadership, and a newly elected board chair bringing nonprofit and fundraising leadership experience.

The transition of development leadership follows the successful thirteen-year tenure of our prior director and coincides with the organization’s planning for its next strategic plan, expected to be released in 2026. Native Plant Trust has a strong, engaged board with a clear appetite for growth and increased philanthropic support to fuel mission impact. 2025 saw the organization raise $3.8 million in operational support, exceeding its budgeted goal by $500,000 and realizing a 30 percent increase over the prior year; a testament to the power of the mission and commitment of our supporters.

This is an exempt, salaried, full-time, year-round, benefit-eligible position based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA. Starting compensation is $135,000-$150,000 per year.

To apply, email a resume, cover letter, and three references to hello@nativeplanttrust.org with the subject line “Director of Development Application.” Initial applicant review will begin February 27, 2026, and continue until the role is filled.

Position Overview

The director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding Native Plant Trust’s fundraising and donor relations strategy, strengthening philanthropic systems and operations, and ensuring the organization has the current and future philanthropic support needed to fulfill its mission. Reporting to the chief executive officer, the director of Development partners closely with the board of trustees, development staff, program leadership, volunteers, and philanthropic partners to build an integrated, mission-aligned development function that supports the organization’s next phase of impact and growth.

The director of Development leads all philanthropic and donor engagement activities, including the donor circles program (Supporters, Sustainers, and Conservation Circle), major gifts, annual fund campaigns, planned giving, institutional partnerships, and donor stewardship. As a critical organizational leader and decision maker, this role balances strategic leadership with active relationship management, ensuring strong and sustained growth in philanthropic revenue, optimized development operations, a cohesive and rewarding donor experience, and high visibility of Native Plant Trust’s impact within the philanthropic community.

Essential Job Functions

Fundraising Strategy and Donor Engagement

• Lead fundraising through donor recognition programs, major gifts work and planned giving programs. Work closely with colleagues across public programs, general membership, and communications to expand and strengthen the donor pipeline and ensure these programs thrive.
• Manage donor relations activities for the organization including individual giving, corporate contributions, foundation and government grants, life income and planned gifts, and gifts-in-wills/bequests.
• In consultation with the CEO and director of Finance, collaborate across departments to prioritize, align, and plan for program funding needs, ensuring strong coordination around budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and short and long term financial planning.
• Create and execute short term and multi-year fundraising strategies including campaigns (e.g. annual fund, end of year, operational, capital, and matching). Utilize data and analytics to assess and refine strategies. Develop strategies for direct mail, electronic, social media, peer-to-peer, and event-based appeals in conjunction with philanthropy and communications staff to ensure consistent messaging, expanded reach, and effective use of organizational resources.
• Establish new and deepen current relationships with prospective and current philanthropic partners. Conceptualize and execute creative and rewarding donor cultivation and stewardship programs.
• Recommend and contribute to communication strategies, social media content, magazine articles and pieces, and eNewsletters in support of development goals.
• Lead grant acquisitions including identification of opportunities, application coordination, reporting, content creation (writing and/or delegation of writing, and sourcing of support materials), and grantee stewardship.

Development Team Leadership and Operations

• Lead a dynamic department of staff (3 direct reports) and numerous volunteers responsible for frontline fundraising, gift and donation processing, prospect identification, and stewardship.
• Supervise, manage, mentor, and hire direct reports and ensure all department staff are set up for success with clear annual work plans, performance goals, performance reviews, and regular professional development opportunities. Ensure development goals are integrated with the organization’s overall strategic goals.
• Develop and manage the department’s revenue and expense budgets to maximize the impact of resource allocation for short- and long-term revenue growth. Draft project, annual, and multi-year fundraising targets. Ensure timely financial reporting.
• Collaborate with communications staff to shape fundraising and donor relations messaging that reflects organizational priorities, strengthens reach, and supports donor engagement. Partner with public programs and membership staff to intentionally integrate donor cultivation, prospect identification, and relationship-building into public-facing programs and events.
• Continually assess and improve operations, resource allocation, and integrations where departmental tasks touch other departments. Ensure technology is being efficiently and effectively leveraged.

Executive leadership and board partnership

• Serve as a member of the leadership team working collectively to run the organization, establish and execute on strategic priorities, and optimize the organization’s impact.
• Contribute to the creation of a productive, rewarding, and professional work culture where individuals, teams, and departments thrive.
• Serve as staff liaison for the development committee, council relations committee, and other board committees as assigned. Actively shape and contribute to the work and productivity of these committees. Present at and prepare committee chairs to present at board meetings.
• Lead board and council giving initiatives and nurture a culture of giving and donor stewardship in these audiences.
• Support the governance committee in nominating and retention activities for the board, council, and honorary trustees.

Skills, Experience, Education, and Certifications

• A demonstrated record of leading multi-million dollar operating fundraising portfolios and developing fundraising strategies resulting in sustained revenue growth over time.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and leverage a team of direct and indirect reports to meet fundraising goals across multiple programs (e.g. donor circles, major gifts, annual funds, and bequests/planned giving).
• Strong relationship-building skills, with significant experience leading work with major donors ($25,000 to $250,000) and planned giving.
• A demonstrated record of improving development operations.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate a multi-faceted mission to diverse audiences.
• Extensive experience managing, mentoring, and inspiring staff, board, and volunteers.
• High level of professionalism and integrity, with a strong commitment to the environment.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.
• The position requires regular travel (2-4 days a month) in Massachusetts and occasional travel (6-10 days a year) throughout New England.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States. In accordance with company policies and a commitment to a safe working environment, applicants will be subject to a pre-employment screening including a background check and reference checks.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to lift boxes or other items weighing at least 20 lbs. They will frequently sit for long periods of time and may use repetitive wrist and hand motions involved in sorting and handling documents. The employee is regularly required to reach, with hands and arms, to listen and to speak. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision. The employee will have frequent periods of close visual contact with a computer monitor. They are often required to drive short and long distances.

Position Summary

Native Plant Trust seeks a full-time Philanthropy assistant, based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA. The Philanthropy assistant, together with a five-person team, supports all fundraising activities of the organization’s $5M+ annual operating budget, planned giving program, capital projects, and endowment funds.

This is a non-exempt, hourly, full-time, year-round, benefit-eligible position reporting to the Philanthropy manager. Compensation range is $21.63 - $24.40/hour for 40 hours/week (annualized to $45K–$50K/year). The work schedule is 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday.

Primary Responsibilities

Gift Processing

• Processes donations and membership dues received in a variety of financial formats, such as checks, credit cards, stock, and electronic fund transfers
• Drafts accurate gift acknowledgements and pledge forms
• Prepares and mails gift acknowledgements and membership materials
• Adheres to ethical standards and confidentiality regarding personal and financial information

Member/Donor Stewardship

• Prepares large and small mailing lists in differing formats for electronic and paper communications, in addition to sending small to mid-sized mailings in-house
• Proofreads fundraising materials, such as event invitations and electronic newsletter
• Assists donors across the region, and country, with a comprehensive array of benefits
• Assists with event preparations and logistics; including recording registrations, creating name badges and handout materials, meeting and greeting guests, and helping with event set-up and break-down
• Communicates efficiently and effectively internally and externally via phone, email, and letters

Data and Records Management

• Creates and updates constituent records within a CRM database (currently Altru by Blackbaud)
• Maintains data integrity, such as merging duplicate records and linking files
• Organizes and maintains digital and paper records in accordance with professional business and fundraising standards
• Collates data for internal and external reports
• Enters volunteers’ contact reports into CRM

Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications

The ideal candidate should have/be:

• Highly detail-oriented, thorough and organized work habits
• Flexibility and ability to prioritize responsibilities
• Professional, courteous manner to interact with a variety of people in person, by phone, and in written communications
• Ability to work effectively on detail-oriented tasks with repeated interruptions
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Google suite and databases
• Comfort with learning new technology
• At least one year of related experience preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Lift boxes and materials weighing at least 20 pounds
• Sit or stand at a desk for long periods of time white engaging in computer work, including typing, utilizing a computer mouse or touch screen, engaging in virtual meetings, listening to audio through speakers, and reading text and images in a digital format
• Use repetitive hand and arm motions involved in sorting and handling documents
• Engage with a computer screen, speakers, and video camera
• Use a phone for audio calls
• Bend, stoop, kneel, pull and push drawers, and lift boxes to file, retrieve, and move records and other materials

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume (MS Word or PDF format, with your last name the first word of the file name), along with three references to Sara O’Brien, Director of Public Programs and Interim Philanthropy Manager, sobrien@NativePlantTrust.org, using the subject line “Philanthropy Assistant Application.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Two of Native Plant Trust’s core initiatives–the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP) and the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) program–engage professional and community volunteers in rare species monitoring, habitat management, reintroduction and augmentation projects, and long-term conservation planning. We work closely with Natural Heritage programs and with conservation organizations in all six New England states.

Native Plant Trust is pleased to offer two 25-week internships in 2026. These positions with the New England Plant Conservation Program and Plant Conservation Volunteers program offer a range of hands-on learning opportunities. Interns work closely with Conservation Department staff, supporting these programs by communicating with landowners and volunteers to enable surveys of rare plants on public and private lands, using GIS and databases to gather and share information, and conducting field work including rare plant surveys, habitat management, and seed collection. Interns focus on an area of interest by working on an active botany, ecology, or conservation project, and are invited to join educational botanical field trips. Training is provided, and interns may also enroll in Native Plant Trust’s educational programs and courses.

These are non-exempt, hourly, full-time, seasonal positions based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA. Compensation is $15.00/hour for 40 hours/week for 25 weeks (max wages $15,000). The work schedule is 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday, with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend hours. Shared housing may be available at $300 per month. These positions report to the Community Science Coordinator and work collaboratively within the Conservation Department and with other Native Plant Trust Departments.

The ideal start date is Monday, February 23, 2026, with some flexibility.

Primary Responsibilities

● Communicate professionally with landowners, volunteers, and staff to enable surveys of rare plants on public and private lands both by phone and in writing

● Support volunteer surveys of rare plants and seed collection efforts by providing materials, timely information, and answers to questions

● Use GIS, databases, and other technology to map, and communicate information about rare plants

● Enter data and ensure the quality of observational and spatial data collected by volunteers

● Perform botanical surveys of rare plant species and their associated plant communities

● Participate in habitat management, seed collection, and other Departmental and organizational efforts

● Contribute to the advancement of an active botany, ecology, or conservation project and present results

Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications

● Demonstrated interest in conducting botanical field work

● Ability to communicate clearly (in writing and orally) and interact well with the public

● Strong organizational skills, and the ability to work on multiple projects while remaining detail and deadline oriented

● Willing to travel throughout New England

● Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and other standard computer operating programs. Ability to perform basic spatial analysis and map making in ArcGIS Pro is preferred

● Some knowledge of the flora and habitats of New England is preferred.

● Personal transportation to regular work locations is required. Transportation will be provided to field sites.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

● Sit or stand in an office while conducting computer work.

● Walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and crawl for extended periods of time in field sites with uneven terrain.

● Conduct field work during inclement weather.

● Engage with a computer screen, speakers, and video camera.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume in a single PDF document to CommunityScience@NativePlantTrust.org, using the subject line “Conservation Intern Application” and your last name as the first word of the file name. Review of applications will begin Monday, January 5, 2026.

These positions exist thanks to the generous donors who funded the Herbert J. & Esther M. Atkinson/Lovejoy and Marylee Everett conservation internships.

Come back soon to view the details about our 2026 internship.

Native Plant Trust is pleased to offer two 26-week internships in 2026, based at Garden in the Woods, our renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham, MA. Interns assist in all aspects of botanic garden operations at Garden in the Woods, including instruction in ecological horticultural practices (such as planting, pruning, weed management, propagation, and seed collection), renovation and construction of new gardens, inventory and plant recordkeeping, and public education. They will gain hands-on experience identifying and cultivating native plants in a botanical garden. Interns are expected to undertake an independent study project and present the results to staff and garden members. There will be opportunities to take field trips and classes at Native Plant Trust. This is an exceptional learning opportunity to gain valuable career experience in caring for gardens and natural areas, planning and leading projects, and managing volunteers.

These are non-exempt, hourly, full-time, seasonal positions reporting to the director of Horticulture. Compensation is $15.00/hour for 40 hours/week for 26 weeks (max 1,040 hours, max wages $15,600). The work schedule is Monday - Friday, with weekend days. Horticulture interns working at Garden in the Woods can rent a room for the internship in a shared house, a 5-minute walk away from the Garden, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except the internet and phone.

The ideal start date is at the end of March/beginning of April 2026. End date in September 2026. Flexibility in start and end dates is available on a case-by-case basis.

Primary Responsibilities

Garden care and maintenance

• Weeding, editing, path and trail maintenance
• Planting, transplanting, plant propagation
• Plant identification, ecology, field trips, hands-on skill building
• Seed collection

Independent study, administration, and communication

• Research and preparation of an independent study presentation
• Detailed record keeping (plantings and moth project)
• Assist with garden-wide events, public programs, and retail garden shop logistics
• Interactions with colleagues, volunteers, staff, and public

Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications

The ideal candidate is passionate about ecology and eager to learn about ecological horticulture and native plants of New England. Strenuous manual labor, consistent with outdoor work in all types of weather, is expected and desired.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• lift items weighing at least 50 lbs.
• stand or crouch for long periods of time
• may use repetitive wrist and hand motions involved in weeding, planting and general garden maintenance
• reach, with hands and arms
• use specific vision abilities (close vision and color vision)
• have some close visual contact with a computer monitor
• work outdoors in all weather conditions, from cold to hot, and raining to full sunshine. Reasonable accommodations are provided during the summer months when excessive heat may be present, including breaks for water and shade or shifts in schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume (MS Word or PDF format, with your last name the first word of the file name), along with three references to Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, ulorimer@nativeplanttrust.org, using the subject line “Horticulture Intern Application.”

Application deadline is February 15, 2026.