Associate Director, Institutional Funder Relations (IFR)

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. Our mission is simple yet powerful: foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. With a focus on protecting mountains, forests, waters, and trails throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, we envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life.

This position helps advance AMC’s mission and the four strategic priorities of AMC’s All Out Action Plan:

• Inspire joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences
• Protect critical landscapes for the well-being of people and the outdoors
• Cultivate and sustain a robust and welcoming community
• Foster access to the outdoors

The Associate Director, Institutional Funder Relations (ADIFR) is part of an Institutional Funder Relations team made up of a Grants Stewardship Manager and Director of Institutional Funder Relations. They will be responsible for a portfolio of private/federal funders, as well as leading prospect research for new funders on key initiatives. The IFR team is part of a robust 18-person development team leading the Next Adventure Campaign, the first comprehensive campaign in AMC’s history. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate who is excited to build foundation and government funding relationships to advance AMC’s mission and strategic priorities.

This is a full-time, year-round, exempt position with excellent benefits. Position is primarily remote within the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic. Requires occasional travel for funder meetings and staff retreats throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic, as well as AMC headquarters in Boston, MA. Salary is commensurate with experience.

What You'll Be Doing At AMC

Portfolio Management

• Develop letters of inquiry, proposals, grant budgets, cover letters, and other correspondence relating to grant requests within assigned portfolio.
• Manage a calendar of deadlines for the portfolio.
• Coordinate agendas, briefings, scheduling, and logistics in preparation for funder meetings.
• Build strong relationships with funders within your portfolio including site visits briefings etc. .
• Work closely with Grants Stewardship Manager on post-award compliance and stewardship for your portfolio.

Pipeline Research

• Research potential funders within key program areas and for general operating support for AMC.
• Co-develop cultivation plans in conjunction with Director and appropriate project and program staff.

Overall Institutional Funder Relationship Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Provide input into setting team goals, performance metrics, and revenue targets aligned with AMC’s strategic plan and comprehensive campaign goals.
• In collaboration with the Director, present grant revenue progress on a monthly basis and reforecasts on a quarterly basis.
• As part of the IFR team, develop and uphold best practices related to Salesforce and grant financial management.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Partner with area departments and programs to shape grant opportunities that reflect AMC’s priorities and have high likelihood of success relating to measurable outcomes, proposal budgets, deliverables, metrics, and impact reporting.
• Lead grants fundraising review sessions with select AMC programs and departments on a regular basis to review Grants Work Plan and progress toward goals.
• Develop and maintain familiarity with AMC program areas and strategic direction and use that knowledge base to continuously refine proposal and report language.

External Representation and Thought Leadership

• Represent AMC in external networks, funder convenings, and collaborative partnerships.
• Stay informed of changes in funder trends, priorities, and interests and track relevant information in Salesforce.

What AMC is Looking for

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with excellent organizational, writing, and project management skills. The ideal candidate will be a positive, service- and results-oriented team player with a passion for AMC’s mission who can manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and work collaboratively with staff from across the organization. Specific qualifications include:

• Minimum of 4 to 7 years of experience in development, advancement or related fields, with a strong background in institutional giving within a complex nonprofit environment.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and organizational skills, and ability to closely read and follow funder guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners on complex proposals.
• Experience securing private and federal funding in areas such as conservation research, policy/advocacy, outdoor programming and education.
• Knowledge of philanthropic landscape in New England and/or the Mid-Atlantic.
• Confidence serving as an organizational representative in a wide range of settings, including online and in-person meetings with institutional funders, Board, and volunteer bodies.
• Proficiency with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems (preferably Salesforce or similar), and prospect research tools;
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under deadline pressure.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Familiarity with and adherence to high ethical and legal standards of the fundraising profession, such as those published by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• Knowledge of or experience with AMC programs and initiatives a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel on occasion to meetings and events, including at AMC headquarters in Boston, MA, and to other AMC facilities and sites throughout our region.

What AMC Can Offer You:

Salary range: $77,214 - $104,244

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.

To Apply: Please include a resume and letter of interest.

AMC encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you have a passion for the outdoors and believe your skills and experiences align with this role, we welcome your application.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility that serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.

Benefits

• Health Plan: Generous employer contributions with optional vision and dental.
• Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD and D insurance, long term disability.
• Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.
• Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule.
• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of paid earned time and up to 11 paid company holidays.
• Other Team Member Perks:
  • 30% discount on AMC Merchandise
  • Free Annual AMC Membership
  • 10 Free nights at AMC locations
  • Educational Assistance
  • Prodeals discounts on equipment and gear and more!