The Associate Director of Philanthropy (ADOP I) works as part of the Washington team, partnering closely with Philanthropy and Conservation staff in Washington and across the organization on multi-year strategies for major gift prospects to raise philanthropic resources for The Nature Conservancy.
The ADOP I is responsible for building a portfolio of qualified donors and developing long-lasting relationships. They understand and apply the principles of developing donor strategies and moves management. They will be responsible for direct asks to both local and global priorities to meet funding needs. As a member of the Washington team they can feature the programs of the Conservancy in broad terms. They listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts including planned gifts and trade lands. The ADOP I provides opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving. They involve appropriate partners in the field and staff at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions as appropriate. They understand project budgets and may build proposal budgets utilizing this knowledge. They will develop a referral network as needed and may manage formal and/or informal networks of volunteers. They will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and may develop proposals.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
- Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
- 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 meeting fundraising objectives.
- Manage assigned projects, coordinating the work of peers and setting deadlines.
- May manage or participate in complex or sensitive negotiations.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- Manage a portfolio 75-100 donors, including donors with the capacity to give at a minimum $50,000 once the portfolio is developed. Responsible for 75+ visits and 180 – 225 moves annually. Annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
- Experience in asking for and closing gifts of $25,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, preferably in a large non-profit.
- 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.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.
- Ability to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
- Ability to implement and manage fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans.
- Knowledge of current trends in the charitable giving in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts or planned giving.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Proven ability to negotiate high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning.
Work Environment and Schedule
- The ADOP I is based in the Washington chapter and assumes a regular work week schedule.
- Schedule may require travel frequently and on short notice, work long and flexible hours as needed.
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
Estimated starting salary: $70,000 - $80,000/annually, dependent on qualifications and experience.