The Associate Director of Philanthropy (ADoP) works as a member of the Virginia philanthropy team to qualify and cultivate individual major gift prospects in support of the Virginia chapter’s conservation priorities.
The ADoP is responsible for building a portfolio of qualified major gift donors and developing effective multi-year strategies to advance the Virginia chapter’s fundraising goals. Based in the Charlottesville field office, the successful candidate will manage a portfolio of prospects across central and southwest Virginia and will collaborate on the qualification of new major gift prospects in the Northern Virginia market. They will be responsible for soliciting gifts in support of both global and local funding needs. They listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and trade lands. 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 are capable of featuring the programs of the Conservancy in broad terms. They may be responsible for volunteer engagement within formal and/or informal networks. The ADoP will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and may participate in the development of proposals.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage a portfolio of 75 – 125 major gift donors with the capacity to give $100,000 or more, once the portfolio is developed.
- Responsible for contributing to the team’s annual fundraising goals including the team goal for planned gifts and bequest notifications.
- Responsible for 75-125 visits per year with 25% of time devoted to qualification of new prospects to build the donor pipeline.
- 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.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- 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.
- 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.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
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.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.