About Montana State Parks Foundation

The Montana State Parks Foundation is the nonprofit partner of Montana State Parks, dedicated to enhancing and preserving Montana’s state parks through philanthropy, partnerships, and community engagement. We fund projects that improve visitor experiences, expand accessibility, protect cultural and historic resources, and connect people with Montana’s extraordinary parks.

As a small, mission-driven organization, every team member plays a meaningful role in advancing our mission and building lasting relationships with supporters across Montana.

Position Summary

The Development Coordinator supports the Montana State Parks Foundation’s fundraising and philanthropic engagement efforts. This position is responsible for managing fundraising systems, maintaining the donor pipeline, executing annual fundraising campaigns, supporting grant development, and coordinating philanthropy-related communications. The role emphasizes relationship-based fundraising, thoughtful donor stewardship, and building long-term organizational sustainability.

Working closely with the Executive Director, the Development Coordinator will help strengthen the Foundation’s fundraising capacity while ensuring donors receive exceptional stewardship and engagement.

Position Type: Part-time (0.5 FTE, approximately 20 hours per week)
Location: Remote within Montana (Gallatin County or Lewis and Clark County preferred)
Reports to: Executive Director

Primary Responsibilities

Donor Database & Fundraising Operations

• Manage and continually improve the Foundation’s CRM and fundraising database.
• Maintain accurate donor records, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Develop and implement systems that improve fundraising efficiency and donor stewardship.
• Generate regular fundraising reports, dashboards, and donor analytics.
• Maintain donor moves management and pipeline tracking.

Annual Giving & Individual Philanthropy

• Plan and coordinate annual fundraising campaigns, including year-end giving, online campaigns, monthly giving, and special appeals.
• Assist with donor acquisition, retention, and donor upgrade strategies.
• Coordinate fundraising timelines, donor segmentation, and campaign execution.
• Monitor campaign performance and recommend improvements.
• Support stewardship activities, including donor acknowledgments, impact reporting, and recognition.

Grant Development

• Research prospective grant opportunities.
• Assist with grant writing, proposal development, and reporting.
• Maintain grant calendars, deadlines, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities.

Communications

• Develop fundraising and stewardship content for email, social media, the website, and print materials.
• Coordinate donor stories and project impact updates.
• Ensure fundraising communications align with the Foundation’s brand and messaging.
• Support development of fundraising collateral and donor materials.

Collaboration & Organizational Support

• Work closely with the Executive Director to implement fundraising priorities.
• Support Board fundraising activities and donor engagement.
• Assist with donor meetings, special events, and cultivation opportunities.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen fundraising strategy and organizational capacity.
• Perform other related duties that support the Foundation’s mission and fundraising objectives.

Qualifications

Required

• Three or more years of nonprofit fundraising, development, or related experience.
• Experience managing a donor CRM or fundraising database.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Preferred

• Experience managing annual giving campaigns.
• Grant writing or institutional fundraising experience.
• Experience using fundraising CRMs such as Bloomerang, Salesforce, Little Green Light, or similar platforms.
• Experience with email marketing platforms and Canva.
• Passion for Montana’s state parks, outdoor recreation, history, or public lands.

Desired Characteristics

The ideal candidate is:

• Mission-driven and relationship-oriented.
• Organized, proactive, and dependable.
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment.
• Curious and eager to improve fundraising systems.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and willing to contribute wherever needed in a small nonprofit.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $30,000–$40,000 annually, depending on experience
• Part-time position (20 hours per week)
• Flexible work schedule
• Remote work arrangement
• Some in-state travel required
• Opportunity to help shape the future of Montana State Parks through philanthropy

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials as a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject line Development Coordinator Application:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant fundraising experience
• One professional writing sample (grant proposal, donor appeal, newsletter, or similar fundraising-related communication)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For best consideration, please apply by August 20, 2026. Finalists will be asked to provide three professional references.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Montana State Parks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

Project Summary: In a previous phase, we partnered with American Prairie to donate 109 acres to the State of Montana to establish Judith Landing State Park. Currently, we are supporting historic and heritage research and community engagement. We intend to support historic preservation and an Indigenous Heritage Pavilion in future phases. 

Status: FWP currently finalizing contracts with numerous researchers. MSPF has received significant funding to cover research expenses, which were not covered by the state. MSPF is now developing a community outreach strategy to promote the project, new park, and facilitate connection between local “heritage holders” and the researchers to ensure oral histories are recorded and represented in interpretive displays. 

Timeline: Spring 2026 – Spring 2027

Committee Member Qualifications: Located near Judith Landing State Park adjacent communities such as Big Sandy, Fort Benton, Lewistown, Winifred, etc. Interest (not expertise) in heritage, culture, and research. Willingness to plan and attend events in these communities and at the park. Willingness to plan and attend outreach events. 

Responsibilities: This committee will oversee outreach in central Montana with a focus on connecting researchers to local heritage holders.  A committee leader will act as liaison between MSPF board, staff, park staff, community members, researchers and other partners.

Committee Tasks: 

• Establish committee and committee leader(s).
• Find additional committee members, preferably local to the region or connected to the project. Committee members do not need to be on the Board of Directors.
• Connect with potential supporters in Lewistown, Winifred, Big Sandy, Fort Benton, central MT. Could be  individuals, businesses or foundations. Refer to Guide for more information.
• Plan “Heritage Holder” outreach strategy, Could include
  • Table events, outreach events in regional communities (like farmers markets)
  • Small events at Judith Landing, like a picnic with researcher speakers
  • Regional fundraiser event, invite-only gathering of potential supporters in a more intimate setting
  • Could be future opportunity for a regional fundraiser event, but is not a current priority
  • Develop “Heritage Holder” outreach materials to solicit research participants, which could include: 
  • Press release
  • Strategy for connecting Heritage Holders with FWP/researchers
  • Develop informational publication promoting project and research participation for print and distribution in regional communities

Interested? Email [email protected] or complete this quick form.

Project Summary: Develop a webpage with a map of all 56 state parks, with information specific to their accessibility features and barriers. This asset does not exist, aligns with the MT SCORP, and would benefit anyone wanting to plan a trip to a state park who needs to know accurate information about accessibility. 

Status: Preliminary development. Working on a scope of work and estimate with Montarev, our website managers. 

Timeline: Fall 2026 – Fall 2027

Committee Member Qualifications: Preference for volunteers with lived experience related to accessibility (as a person with a disability, care giver, friend, family member, advocate, etc). No preference for location, but volunteers should be willing to conduct state park visits. Strong writing skills, basic technological proficiency and ability to work asynchronously.

Responsibilities: This committee will oversee the design and content of the map, with a focus on collecting park accessibility data and working with volunteers.  A committee leader will act as liaison between volunteers, MSPF board, staff, park staff, and web designers.

Committee Jobs:

• Establish committee and committee leader(s). There is a significant opportunity for leadership here, as project direction has not been set. Some possible tasks include:
• Find additional committee members located across MT. Committee members do not need to be on the Board of Directors.
• Collecting park accessibility data (researching, park visits, collaborating with FWP planners)
• Oversight of website development, style, features, working with Montarev

Managing volunteer or honoria program to write disability community park reviews or writing reviews

Interested? Email [email protected] or complete this quick form.

Project Summary: Improve park accessibility through a phased pilot project that brings the disability community and park planners together. The project includes an Inclusive Interdisciplinary Walk Move Audit (IIWMA), development of a Trail and Amenity Accessibility Improvement Plan, and implementation. The pilot is currently in Phase II, with disability community feedback integrated throughout all phases.

Status: 

Phase I: Complete. IIWMA completed September 20th

Phase II:MSPF contracting with Summit Independent Living to develop an Accessible Trail Improvement Plan for the Harry Horn Trail, Lupine Loop, and waterfront social trail areas. FWP contracting with MCC to complete manual trail improvements identified through the IIWMA and the Accessible Trail Plan, along with deferred maintenance and upgrades such as universally designed door hardware.

Phase III (Future): Implement infrastructure project focused on waterfront access, facilities, and playground improvements.

Timeline: Summer through Fall 2026, with opportunity for longer term involvement.

Committee Member Qualifications: Located near Bigfork, interest in parks and accessibility, willingness to participate in planning activities, willingness to plan and attend event(s) at Wayfarers or in the area, develop and distribute communication materials, and willingness to connect with new supporters.

Responsibilities: This committee will oversee local outreach and fundraising efforts to promote the Wayfarers Accessibility Project, with a committee leader acting as liaison between MSPF board, staff, park staff, and other partners in regards to outreach and fundraising. 

Committee Jobs:

• Establish committee and committee leader(s).
• Find additional committee members, preferably local to the region or connected to the project. Committee members do not need to be on the Board of Directors.
• Connect with potential supporters in Bigfork, Flathead area. Could be individuals, businesses or foundations. Refer to Guide for more information.
• Develop communication materials including:
  • Photographing work in progress
  • Press release
  • Social media 
  • Newsletter
  • Hard copy event promotions (flyers, mailers, invitations, etc)
• Plan Wayfarers outreach strategy to take place in Bigfork. Could include
  • Tabling at local events (like farmers markets)
  • Small events at, like a picnic with information about the project
  • Friendraiser, invite-only gathering of potential supporters in a more intimate setting
  • Fundraiser event in Bigfork, larger open-to-the public event with fundraising mechanisms, fun and opportunities to learn about MSPF 

Interested? Email [email protected] or complete this quick form.

Project Summary: Install adaptive kayak launch, dock, gangway and donate adaptive recreation equipment for shared use at SML, Montana WILD, Fort Harrison VA. 

Status: Initiated dock installation, initiated sidewalk. Working towards the final fundraising goal to purchase equipment. The dock should be complete before summer. 

Timeline: Present through September 2026.

Committee Member Qualifications: Located near Helena, interest in parks and accessibility, willingness to plan and attend event(s) at Spring Meadow Lake, develop and distribute communication materials, and willingness to connect with new supporters.

Responsibilities: This committee will oversee local outreach to promote the Spring Meadow Lake Accessibility Project, with a committee leader acting as liaison between MSPF board, staff, park staff, and other partners in regards to outreach and events. 

Committee Tasks: 

• Establish committee and committee leader(s).
• Find additional committee members who are local to the region or connected to the project. Committee members do not need to be on the Board of Directors.
• Connect with potential supporters in Helena. Could be individuals, businesses or grant makers.
• Develop communication materials including:
  • Press release
  • Social media 
  • Newsletter
  • Hard copy event promotions (flyers, mailers, invitations, etc)
• Plan Spring Meadow Lake Celebration event, which will include partnering with FWP. 

Interested? Email [email protected] or complete this quick form.

Media kit PDF includes the event overview, fact sheet, press release, volunteer info, schedule and contact info.

The business sponsor presentation is included, and explains the project, sponsorship levels, recognition, and donor specific information. This document can be shared with potential sponsors, or just for reference.

Flyer is included, print and distribute as needed. Please download and use as needed.

We’re excited to be featured as August 5th’s nonprofit for the PaddleHeads Community Tuesday! Purchase tickets to the game at the link below and proceeds will benefit the Montana State Parks Foundation!

But wait, there’s more!

Purchase game tickets at the link provided by JULY 15 and be entered to win our amazing raffle THREE times. Each ticket = three chances to win. See the raffle information below.

🏕️ Camping Package🏕️

Gear up for your next outdoor adventure with this incredible camping bundle, featuring top-quality equipment, experiences, and goodies from REI, Eureka, OnX, and the Montana State Parks Foundation. Total Value: $850+ What’s Included:

• REI Flexlite Camp Chair
• REI Flash 18 Day Pack
• REI Water Bottle
• Eureka Camp Stove
• Eureka Camp Café Set
• 2 MSPF Coffee Cups
• 2 MSPF “Camp Rocks” Cups
• MSPF Hat
• 2 MSPF Water Bottles
• Eureka Copper Canyon Tent
• Camping Reservations at Montana State Parks
• Two Lewis & Clark Caverns Cave Tour Passes
• 1-Year OnX Elite Membership

👟 Trail Running Package 👟

Ready, set, go! This trail runner’s dream package includes gear, race entries, and local goodies to fuel your next outdoor adventure. Total Value: $950+ What’s Included:

• Oboz Footwear Gift Card (redeemable online)
• Bozeman Running Company Gift Card (redeemable online or in person)
• Missoula Runners Edge Gift Card (redeemable online or in person)
• Buff CoolNet UV Headwear (2)
• OnX Hat
• MSPF Hat
• MSPF Water Bottle
• John Colter Pint Glasses (2)
• John Colter Race Registration (2 entries)
• Makoshika Buzzard Days Race Registration (2 entries)
• Lewis & Clark 12K Race Registration
• 1-Year OnX Elite Membership
• Wind Drinkers Annual Membership

🎣 Fly Fishing Package 🎣

Whether you’re new to fly fishing or looking to upgrade your gear, this raffle package has everything you need to get started—plus a guided trip on one of western Montana’s legendary rivers. Total Value: $950+ What’s Included:

• Simms Freestone Waders (winner chooses size and gender)
• Simms Freestone Wading Boots (winner chooses size and gender)
• Orvis Encounter 9ft 5-weight Fly Rod
• Full-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip on the Bitterroot, Clarks Fork, or Blackfoot with Missoula River Lodge 
• 1-Year OnX Elite Membership
• OnX Hat
• MSPF Hat
• MSPF Water Bottle