Director of Philanthropy
Posted by Access Fund on 05/03/2023
Job Basics
Industry Sector: Outdoor
Job Categories: Events
Company Type: Conservation, Recreation
State: CO
City:
Country: United States
Required Experience: 5 - 7 years
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $75,000 - $90,000
Required to Relocate:
Required to Travel: Yes
Employee May Telecommute: Yes
Job Seeker Must Live Within:
Job Description & Requirements
OVERVIEW
Access Fund is the nonprofit advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Founded in 1991, Access Fund represents more than 8 million climbers across the country. We execute on that mission across six core program areas, including Climbing Policy and Advocacy, Stewardship and Conservation, Local Support and Mobilization, Land Acquisition and Protection, Risk Management and Land Owner Support, and Education.
Access Fund is seeking a Director of Philanthropy to serve as the organization’s principal fundraising leader and grants manager. The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for the planning, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive fundraising program that secures at least $3M per year in financial resources from individuals, foundations, corporations, climbing gyms, and others to support Access Fund’s strategic plan.
The Director of Philanthropy works with the Senior Leadership Team to establish fundraising targets and is accountable for these goals. This position provides leadership and oversight of all major gifts functions, including individual gifts above $1,000; donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship; grants; planned giving; and fundraising events. In addition to leadership responsibilities, this position manages a meaningful portfolio of high net-worth donors and partners. The Director of Philanthropy reports to the Vice President of Marketing and Philanthropy and directly manages the Strategic Giving Advisor and Strategic Partnerships Manager.
Access Fund maintains its national headquarters in Louisville, Colorado. This position is eligible for remote or hybrid work arrangements; however, a preference will be given to candidates within close proximity to a major market (Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah).
Job Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership
Develop a comprehensive annual philanthropy strategy, operating plan, and budget—for middle and major donors, corporate partners, climbing gyms, events, charitable foundations, and other strategic partners—that promotes mission achievement and financial sustainability.
Establish fundraising goals and work plans for all fundraisers across the organization, including the Executive Director and Board of Directors, and provide support as they work to meet those goals. Act as primary staff fundraising liaison to the Board in partnership with the Executive Director.
Oversee and optimize all aspects of a top-notch major gifts fundraising program that inspires a culture of giving and gratitude. This includes but is not limited to:
Effective donor identification and solicitation strategies.
Excellence in donor communications, with a focus on deepening relationships and growing financial support.
Regular donor stewardship with an emphasis on longevity.
Timely donor acknowledgment.
Regular impact reporting to showcase the power of donors’ gifts.
Supervise, support, and manage philanthropy staff, including the Strategic Partnerships Manager and Strategic Giving Advisor, while providing mentorship and support to other staff across the organization who participate in fundraising activities.
Collaborate with the digital fundraising team to optimize donor engagement and experience, stewardship and cultivation, and solicitations. Analyze and identify potential middle and major donors for upsell opportunities.
Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to produce the annual report, VIP Newsletter, and other content targeted at major donors and key partners.
Oversee major gifts data, trend analysis, and wealth screening with the goal of optimizing overall retention, second-gift conversion, upsell, gap-to-goal giving, dependency quotient, etc.
Partner with the Finance & Operations team to establish and maintain excellence in donor database management procedures, workflows, and analysis.
Direct Fundraising
Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of at least 20-30 major and middle donors, corporate partners, and other key supporters.
Oversee and manage grants program, spearheading grant prospecting, coordinating grant activities across the organization, and serving as staff lead on a substantial grant portfolio. This role also provides support and partnership to program staff in project-specific grant application and reporting.
Fundraising Events
Oversee the strategic direction, planning, budgeting, and execution of all fundraising events, including the annual gala dinner.
Oversee MarComm team’s execution of event marketing plans and creative deliverables.
Retain, supervise, and evaluate outside contractors to assist with event planning and execution. Oversee their work to ensure all event logistics and elements are on track.
Manage event sponsorship relationships in collaboration with Strategic Partnerships Manager and Executive Director.
Skills and Experience We’re Looking For
Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to our openings. Not meeting all the requirements but still feel like you’d be a great fit? Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered. Tell us how you can contribute to our team in a cover letter.
5-7+ years of demonstrated senior-level fundraising experience in a nonprofit, institution, or political organization.
A proven track record of raising significant funds for nonprofit organizations with an annual budget above $2 million, including personally prospecting and closing major gifts and grants of $10k or more.
3+ years of experience managing and directly supervising full-time, professional staff.
Extensive experience with modern fundraising methodologies and data management, including web-based CRMs, social media, and digital marketing.
Demonstrated experience prospecting, securing, and managing large grants and working with foundation staff.
Proficiency in Google Apps, Microsoft Office applications, and CRM data systems, preferably Salesforce.
Knowledge of the national outdoor industry, land trust, and/or conservation philanthropic landscape is a plus.
Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred.
An active climber. While a high level of climbing ability is not necessary, familiarity with the culture of technical climbing is.
Superior listening, data-analysis, organizational, writing, and presentation skills.
Strong leadership intelligence and ability to work as a member of a team and relate to people of differing backgrounds.
Satisfactory completion of a background check.
Proof of current COVID-19 vaccination or qualified exemption.
Essential Job Functions
Travel by air and vehicle approximately 5-6 times a year for trade shows, activations, board meetings, staff retreats, and donor and partner meetings.
Attend events for 4+ hours at a time.
Moving and loading boxes weighing up to 30 pounds (though accommodations can be made).
Loading and setting up event tables.
Pitching and sandbagging a 10’x10’ pop-up tent.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $75,000 - $90,000/year DOE
Benefits
Generous time off, including paid holidays, 3 weeks of vacation (accrual increases throughout staff’s tenure), sick time, and flex time for nights and weekends worked.
Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as 403(b) retirement participation. Access Fund also offers 403(b) matching after one year of employment.
Flexible schedules are available to our employees.
Access to industry pro deals.
Climbing gym discounts, depending on location.
Relocation reimbursement is not available.
To Apply: To view the job posting in its entirety, please go to accessfund.org/careers. Please send a resume and cover letter describing your professional and personal experience with “Director of Philanthropy” in the subject line to employment@accessfund.org no later than May 8 at 5 p.m. MT. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may be filled at any time. No phone calls, please.
