Director of Individual Giving

Who We Are:

NatureBridge provides best-in-class environmental science education experiences for more than 30,000 students and their teachers every year in the world’s best classrooms: our National Parks. Our mission is to connect young people to the science and wonder of the natural world, igniting self-discovery and inspiring stewardship of the planet. Through our programs, students explore the outdoors, connect with their peers, discover themselves and develop a lasting relationship with science and the environment around them.

What You Will Do:

As the Director of Individual Giving, you will provide strategic leadership for individual and major giving efforts across the organization. You will be the strategist, thought partner and manager for individual philanthropic giving to NatureBridge. In addition to stewarding their own portfolio of donors, you will work closely with senior leadership, Board members, and the development team to generate contributed revenue through individual and major donors, including special campaigns and legacy giving.

This full-time, exempt position is fully remote with some travel to NatureBridge locations.

Your primary job will be:

Strategy and Leadership

• Lead major individual giving efforts including year end appeals, annual board philanthropic engagement process for 80+ regional and national board members and legacy giving program.
• Develop and maintain organization-wide systems based on best practices for major donor portfolio management, tracking, cultivation, recognition, and accountability against revenue targets.
• Train staff and volunteers on donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to create a culture of philanthropy that includes an emphasis on excellent relationship building in service of raising annual support and major gifts.
• Contribute to board reports and represent the development team at board meetings.
• Create and manage budgets of $2M in revenue and over $400k in event and contract expenses. 

Individual Fundraising

• Cultivate and solicit a portfolio of existing major donors. Identify and qualify new prospects to grow the portfolio over time.
• Support Regional and National Board members and senior staff in fundraising activity 
• Supervise and support the Individual Giving Manager 
• Develop an annual individual donor communications and marketing plan, and partner with the communications team on creation of appeals, updates, annual report, and other collateral materials. 
• Develop and grow NatureBridge’s legacy giving prospects.

Events

• Supervise and support the Events Manager to execute two major fundraising events and several cultivation events annually.
• Lead event fundraising efforts in partnership with board and staff leadership to meet corporate and individual sponsorship and raise the paddle goals. 

Other Duties

• Maintain necessary database records, files, reports, and resource materials pertinent to major donor relations’ activities (Raiser’s Edge).
• Establish and maintain respectful, supportive, and compassionate relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Compensation:

• $92,000-$100,000 annual salary
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Option for a 403b retirement plan with employer match after six months
• Generous paid vacation, training days and sick leave
• Other benefits include Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and more

Who You Are:

We are looking for candidates who have:

• At least five years of work in development, philanthropy, or a related field including experience in professional fundraising roles with increasing responsibility.
• Previous success in driving individual giving at a thriving non-profit.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong relationship-building abilities with multiple stakeholders, including colleagues across locations and departments, partners and board members.
• Growth mindset and flexibility to manage competing and shifting priorities
• Ability to travel to NatureBridge locations to support events, board meetings and donor cultivation.
• Knowledge of national philanthropic trends
• Commitment to NatureBridge’s mission.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in the workplace. We especially encourage you to apply if you are a member of (or have extensive experience working with people from) any communities that are impacted by the historic and current system of oppression that has limited access to environmental education, or the outdoors in general.
• Data management experience.
• Integrity handling confidential and sensitive donor information.
• Ability to manage competing or shifting priorities
• Self-motivation and the ability to creatively problem-solve

If you are interested in the role and do not meet every requirement listed, please still apply! We are interested in applicants with unique lived experience and skill sets.

*All NatureBridge Employees are required to complete a background check in order to be eligible for employment.

Why should you join the NatureBridge team?

• We are a mission-driven organization that values your contributions and supports you in making a positive impact on young people and the environment
• You will get to work in a beautiful natural setting with other dedicated staff who are passionate about the environment
• Work remotely in a flexible, collaborative and supportive environment, with occasional travel to our scenic National Park campuses and major donor hubs

NatureBridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate based on any protected category, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, gender expression (including transgender expression or pregnancy), political affiliation, age, immigration status or disability. We encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Please let us know if you require any accommodation. 

How To Apply:

Submit your application to our Online Career Portal. Please answer the application questions in lieu of a cover letter