World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Senior Philanthropy Writer at our Washington, DC office. The Senior Philanthropy Writer is responsible for contributing to the process of developing and assembling principal and major donor concepts, proposals, and stewardship reports. This includes related supporting material that will educate, inspire, present a clear and compelling case for new or continued support. Working under the direction of the Deputy Director, Donor Communications and collaboratively with strategic and individual giving development officers, conservation staff, and others, the writer’s work includes: conducting background research, developing concepts for funding, and writing donor reports and proposals for high-level donors on WWF priority projects. These donor-centric pieces must convey donor impact and, also the organization’s appreciation of major and principal donor gifts.
- Collaborates with individual giving team (primarily gift officers) to help generate philanthropy. This includes, but is not limited to concepts, proposals, stewardship reports, multi-media presentations, and letters.
- Writes highly personalized narratives, using a variety of mediums to create strategic solicitation and briefing or reporting documents that transform complex material into highly readable, detailed, and inspiring cases for support.
- Coordinates closely with program and development staff and with others across WWF to complete projects to strategy and schedule. Proactively seeks program information to cultivate major donors based on their interests.
- Works closely with development communications to ensure sharing of programmatic information, consistent messaging, branding, and to avoid duplication of effort and resources.
- May write occasional donor pieces for World Wildlife Magazine as able, which may involve interviewing a principal, major, legacy, or Partner in Conservation donor.
- Coordinates with Donor Communications & Stewardship team as well as development, communications, and program staff to maintain shared electronic records of program reports and other programmatic information used by prospect managers for donor stewardship and cultivation.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- At least 6 years of professional work experience with at least 3 years of specific experience with donor stewardship, including writing and packaging fundraising or marketing materials, including proposals and reports for high net worth individuals and/or foundations. With relevant advanced degree, will require at least 5 years of professional experience. Should have experience writing for both print and multimedia communications vehicles. Donor database experience preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills, including ability to manage the timeline, communication, and production of donor pieces, often working with numerous partners to achieve a high-caliber final product (proposal/concept, report, presentation, etc.).
- Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write in a range of voices and styles for varied projects with diverse audiences. Solid interviewing and research skills.
- Able to translate complex information into clear jargon-free language that conveys key messages.
- Able to work effectively and maintain composure under pressure. Good sense of humor helpful!
- Able to build constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people across the organization, including Development, Goal team, Communications, and other staff.
- Flexible, responsive, and able to balance a variety of activities while meeting deadlines.
- Able to quickly learn about evolving conservation issues, trends and developments, plus familiarity with conservation or related sciences preferred.
- Fluent in Microsoft Office, with very high level of skill in MSWord including online editing and formatting for desktop applications. Fluency in InDesign, video editing or other similar platforms desirable.