The Associate Director of Philanthropy (ADOP) co-leads our northwest Arkansas office and works collaboratively with philanthropy and conservation staff to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a robust and strategic major donor portfolio – including individuals, corporations and foundations - to support annual operations, special projects and conservation priorities.
The Associate Director of Philanthropy is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of qualified major donors and prospects and developing the relationships essential to each step in the process. The ADOP understands and applies the key principles of donor-centered fundraising and the art and skill of creating loyal and generous donors. The ADOP is responsible for direct solicitations to support both local and global priorities, while listening for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and trade lands. This position will also provide opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving toward meaningful opportunities. This position involves and engages appropriate partners in the field and at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues and/or concerns, and address questions as needed. The ADOP is a passionate advocate and spokesperson for the Conservancy’s work and can talk about Conservancy programs in detailed terms and confidently discuss legacy giving opportunities. The ADOP manages a network of committed volunteers, uses the Conservancy’s donor database to record and track interactions, participates in the development of proposals and leads and/or assists in donor events. The ADOP understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the organization and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage a portfolio of 75 – 125 prospects and donors, including donors with the capacity to give six and seven-figure gifts. Responsible for 75 – 125 visits and 180 – 300 moves annually. Annual fundraising goal of $1,000,000 or more once portfolio is under full management, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
- Act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
- Decisions may have program-wide impact and bind the organization financially or legally.
- Gain an understanding of our four major state-wide conservation strategies
- Visit priority conservation project sites and learn how to present projects as funding opportunities.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s prosperity.
- Work closely with conservation staff, involving them as appropriate in donor strategy, cultivation and stewardship activities.
- Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
- Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
- Financial responsibility includes working within a budget, and recommending and meeting fundraising goals.
- Manage and implement multiple projects, directing work of staff, managing budget, and setting deadlines.
- May direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- May supervise support or administrative staff.
- Travel frequently and on short notice, work long and flexible hours as needed.
- Work environment may involve exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
- Experience in the development of donor-centric strategies, building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
- Experience in asking for and closing gifts of $50,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors within a moves management system.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, preferably in a national and/or global nonprofit organization
- Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in current trends in charitable giving in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts or planned giving.
- A valid driver’s license and compliance with the Conservancy’s Auto Safety Program
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 7-10 years of development experience, including soliciting and closing six and seven-figure gifts.
- Ability to design and manage complex fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.
- Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its conservation goals, and act appropriately to link donor interest with the Conservancy’s work.
- Ability to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Working knowledge of charitable gift planning.
- Ability to work in multi-cultural or cross-cultural settings.
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION
The following are also attributes that volunteer leadership believes would enhance the potential for success:
- Capacity to deeply understand, embrace, and communicate The Nature Conservancy’s mission and projects, and their relevance to people, to the economy and to the health of our communities.
- A level of conservation “authenticity”— an appreciation for the mission of the Conservancy and a demonstrated interest in nature and/or the outdoors.
- A base of contacts, particularly in northwest Arkansas, and an established reputation in the philanthropy community.
- A level of presence and comfort with leaders in business and philanthropy in the state.
- Experience working within a national or global, decentralized organization.