Director of Philanthropy

We are seeking a seasoned development professional to establish a strategic vision for our philanthropic efforts and successfully advance our mission. Someone who has a personal passion for the conservation and enrichment of parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands.

You will be responsible for building, executing, and sustaining a robust philanthropic plan to support the organization's annual operating budget and ensure revenue goals are met or exceeded. You will design and implement strategies that identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward existing and prospective donors. You will encourage a culture of philanthropy within the Board of Directors, key stakeholders and partners, and staff to achieve philanthropic goals. You will coordinate certain fundraising priorities and donor recognition strategies aimed at specific programs and activities on public lands with PLA’s land management agency partners like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

You will report to the President and CEO and supervise development staff who manage nonprofit and corporate membership programs, donor database entries and acknowledgments, philanthropic and membership events, and marketing. PLA is a financially healthy and thriving organization with a modest portfolio of corporate and foundation partners and individual donors. Through this new position, you will help take our philanthropic efforts to the next level. 

What You Can Expect in This Role

You will be expected to:

Create, execute, and evaluate PLA’s philanthropy strategy (60%)

In coordination with the CEO and Board, create a comprehensive philanthropy strategy and annual operating plan that promotes mission achievement and financial sustainability.

Execute the organization’s philanthropy operating plan to achieve plan goals.

• Effectively steward all PLA donors and cultivate new potential partners.
• Plan and implement foundation, corporate, and individual donor cultivation, stewardship, and outreach opportunities.
• Create individualized proposals for major donors, foundations, and corporations for annual and restricted gifts.
• Engage collaboratively on fundraising opportunities with PLA members and other nonprofit public lands partners.
• Explore cause marketing and product development opportunities with current and new corporate partners.
• Act as primary staff liaison to the Board’s Development Committee and appropriately task and support Board and CEO in achieving plan goals.

Regularly evaluate philanthropic strategy and operating plan and make strategy recommendations to the CEO and Board based on experience and a deep understanding of the organization’s strategic goals.

Oversee development and membership operations and events (30%)

Inspire, direct, coach, develop, and retain a talented staff with a focus on building capacity for fundraising, membership, and marketing. You will have two direct reports:

• PLA’s Membership and Marketing Manager leads nonprofit membership recruitment and renewal, brand communications, and marketing.
• You will assist in the selection of a new Development and Events Manager who will lead our corporate partner membership program, annual trade show registrations and management, fundraising events, and donor communications / database management.

Ensure your staff have the resources and direction to maintain comprehensive donor and membership records, coordinate funding requests and annual dues payments, design donor and membership materials, and manage philanthropic and revenue-driving events.

Maintain professional acumen (10%)

Coordinate necessary compliance with state charitable registration requirements in concert with a retained firm. 

Remain informed on legal requirements pertaining to nonprofit fundraising, tax benefits, and other regulations that affect charitable giving.

Seek out and participate in professional development opportunities.

Your Knowledge and Expertise

You will need:

• Progressively responsible development experience with a demonstrated ability to successfully secure major gifts and foundation, corporate, and/or government grants.
• Comfort and facility with a wide range of philanthropic work, including solicitation and long-term stewardship of individual, foundation and corporate donors, new donor cultivation, research, grant writing, and special events.
• A successful track record in developing and executing philanthropic strategy, setting priorities, managing multiple projects, and working effectively under pressure to achieve individual and organizational goals.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others, including direct reports.
• High competence in Microsoft Office products, as well as fundraising database and grant tracking software (PLA uses NeonCRM, Classy, and Submittable).
• Adaptability and flexibility in the face of changing conditions; tolerance for adversity and uncertainty.
• Experience advancing projects collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders; comfort with making decisions among diverse individuals and organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to find common ground.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and comfort with public speaking.
• Flexibility, sense of humor, humility, and confidence.
• Familiarity with public lands, outdoor recreation, and conservation principles, preferred.

PLA is a fully remote national nonprofit organization staffed by seven (7) full-time positions and several contracted consultants. Although we work as a team, each of us has a defined role to independently meet our mission. You will travel less than 10% of the time. For more information about our organization, visit www.publiclandsalliance.org.

PLA offers a comprehensive benefits package that addresses the following:

• Health and work-life balance. You will have access to medical, vision, and dental insurance, as well as competitive leave policies and 11 paid annual holidays.
• Investments in you. You will have access to a 403(b) retirement plan immediately, with employer contributions after one year of service. PLA supports professional development opportunities for its staff including membership with applicable professional societies.
• Tech support. You will be provided a laptop, as well as partial reimbursement for your monthly home internet/phone expenses.