The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i works with colleagues around the world to implement donor-driven strategies that maximize overall giving to the Conservancy. The Senior Associate Director of Philanthropy (SADOP) is part of the team that is responsible for all aspects of fundraising and development functions for the Hawaiʻi Chapter. The SADOP works independently and with teams to secure private funds necessary to meet our conservation goals. Additionally, the SADOP is responsible for fundraising for the Palmyra program. The SADOP manages a portfolio of major donors and serves as a team member for donors managed by other programs, who are: 1) qualified for and interested in participating in a Palmyra donor trip; 2) prospects for significant support of Palmyra and/or other priority programs; and 3) giving at a level where their philanthropic engagement with the Conservancy would be deepened by the Palmyra trip experience.
The SADOP works closely with Palmyra program and Hawai'i philanthropy department staff to create and implement effective strategies for identifying donors and prospects, and for the cultivation and solicitation of major gift prospects, including individual, foundation and corporate donors. The SADOP also works closely with philanthropy colleagues throughout the Conservancy, including the Principal Gifts team, Directors and Associate Directors of Philanthropy, and State Directors, using Palmyra donor trips as an engagement opportunity to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors for Palmyra, Hawaii and global priorities. A wide internal network and positive working relationships with Conservancy colleagues are key elements to success in the position.
The SADOP is an integral member of the Palmyra and Hawai'i program teams and will work closely with all Directors.
S/he assists the Director of Philanthropy (DOP) to establish, implement and track measures and indicators of fundraising program progress and success, and reinforces compliance and consistency with related organizational policies and procedures. The SADOP fully supports the DOP who leads diverse activities, develops complex processes, achieves project outcomes, and initiates solutions to improve the effectiveness of the Hawai'i Chapter’s philanthropy strategy. The SADOP reports to the Director of Philanthropy.
The SADOP will develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, including high net worth individuals, corporates, and/or foundations. Working closely with the DOP and State Director, the SADOP is responsible for applying complex principles to develop and implement strategies for the cultivation and solicitation for these prospects. The SADOP will feature the programs of the Conservancy in detailed terms and can confidently discuss giving opportunities to a wide range of audiences. In addition to the primary focus on outright giving, the SADOP is expected to discuss assets proficiently and listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as bequests, planned gifts and trade lands. The SADOP is also responsible for ensuring donor interactions are recorded in the Conservancy’s fundraising management systems in order to track and report progress and ensure institutional memory. The position is responsible for effective stewardship for the donors in his/her portfolio, ensuring recognition, timely stewardship reports and providing ongoing engagement opportunities. The SADOP understands project budgets and may build proposal budgets utilizing this knowledge.
The SADOP works closely with the DOP to provide support to (a) board members, volunteers and program staff who are engaged in fundraising efforts, and (b) ensure the senior conservation program staff is effectively deployed to advance major gifts fundraising efforts by working with them to best shape and articulate the Conservancy’s case for financial support for Hawaiʻi programs and projects. The SADOP also works in close collaboration with regional and Worldwide Office staff to draw on organizational resources to benefit the chapter and Conservancy priorities.
The SADOP carries out these specific duties and others as needed:
- Works with staff in the Hawaiʻi Chapter and across the Conservancy and takes direction from the DOP to raise critical funding for the Conservancy’s high-priority conservation projects in Hawaiʻi, at Palmyra Atoll, and around the world. Supports the DOP who develops and implements fundraising plan and strategies to secure annual fundraising goals of $4.5-7 million per year in donations and planned gifts.
- Develops and manages a portfolio of 50-100 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $250,000, once the portfolio is developed. The portfolio will consist of donors to the Palmyra program, the Hawai’i program and/or global priorities. Responsible for 50-100 visits and/or personal connections and 180-300 moves annually. Annual fundraising goal of $1 million or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
- Oversees movement of high-capacity donors toward giving potential through effective strategies, moves and solicitations and volunteer/natural partner engagement.
- Leverages constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people, including leaders within the organization, internal and external senior management, donors, volunteers, public and private sector colleagues, and partners including financial and legal advisors and manages project teams as needed.
- Supports the DOP to provide timely and accurate fundraising reports, analysis, and recommendations to Trustees, senior staff, and project managers.
- Financial responsibility includes working within a budget and meeting fundraising objectives.
- Ensures compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- Works with DOP and the development team to develop and implement an annual fundraising plan.
- Helps to ensure the Philanthropy work is a collaborative and well-integrated effort across the Hawaiʻi Chapter. Works closely with Finance, Conservation and Communications Programs in developing fundraising, messaging and marketing strategies and providing guidance for funding proposals and related materials.
- Supports DOP in chapter budget planning to align with market potential and funding opportunities.
- Contributes to written development plans for identified conservation priority areas, including specific funding opportunities aligned with strategies.
- Recommends and implements fundraising strategies.
- Helps DOP to assess effectiveness of the chapter’s development plan in support of conservation goals.
- If directed by the DOP, may manage or supervise support or administrative staff.
- Maintains confidentiality of sensitive and emotionally-charged information.
- Manages selected Board of Trustee relationships.
- Experience in regularly soliciting and closing major gifts of $50,000 or more.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents including major donors, foundations, and corporations.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
- Experience in developing accurate fundraising projections.
- Experience working with cross functional teams, preferably in a large, complex, not-for-profit 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.
- Experience with skills to access, interpret, and inform specialized fundraising software to capture donor information.
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.