Philanthropy Director

Position: Philanthropy Director (RN job board link: https://www.rivernetwork.org/careers/philanthropy-director/ ) 

Reports to: Vice President of Philanthropy 

Location: Flexible/remote  

Term and Salary: Full time, exempt $70,000-$90,000/year DOE and assuming Full Time/1 FTE (40 hours/week), exempt position with comprehensive benefits including: medical, dental, and vision health insurance; 403b retirement savings plan; vacation and well-being leave; employee assistance program; life insurance; technology stipend; and 14 paid holidays. 

POSITION SUMMARY: River Network seeks an experienced fundraising professional to join our dynamic Philanthropy & Communications team. The primary role of this position is to increase unrestricted current and future support for River Network, thereby allowing River Network more ability and responsiveness in fulfilling its efforts to advance clean water and healthy rivers for all. This position is primarily externally-facing with a focus on growing revenue from individuals, family foundations, and non-profit and corporate sponsorships, achieving or surpassing River Network’s related revenues goals.  

At the same time, we have been exploring the tenants of Trust-Based Philanthropy through the creation of River Network’s Climate Justice Flow Fund Circle. The Philanthropy Director will help steward the current Flow Fund model and have room for innovation and collaboration to continue to democratize philanthropy at River Network and beyond. Experience or interest in exploring new models of philanthropy is preferred. There is also an opportunity for the Philanthropy Director to grow a nascent Planned Giving program as skills, experience and interest are applicable.  

The Philanthropy Director will work closely and collaborate with the Vice President of Philanthropy, the President/CEO, and in partnership with the Brand and Communications Director, the Vice President of Finance, Operations and People, and other staff members to develop and execute River Network’s overall fundraising strategy on an annual basis, including coaching and/or mentoring program staff when applicable. They will also work closely with River Network Board of Directors and serve as the liaison to the board’s Development Committee’s efforts to identify, qualify and cultivate funders and inspire the board to help meet River Network’s fundraising targets.  

We are looking for someone with experience designing and executing fundraising strategies and campaigns, ability to excite interest and investment, and a drive to engage and inspire existing and potential supporters.  

ABOUT RIVER NETWORK: River Network envisions a future of clean and ample water for people and nature, where local caretakers are well-equipped, effective and courageous champions for our rivers. River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain all life. Visit www.rivernetwork.org to learn more about our current priorities. Our headquarters are in Boulder, Colorado and we have staff located in communities across the U.S. We are committed to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas to achieve our mission – explore our core values and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, our explanation for why equity, diversity and inclusion are the foundation of our mission, and our principles for equitable and inclusive work. Through our programs, we seek to connect with all communities and increase the impact of their efforts to secure clean and ample water. Through our internal practices and external leadership, we seek an inclusive workplace culture that attracts diverse staff, board, members, and supporters.  

Find information about our financials here (annual reports, financial statement, 990) 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Manage current annual cycle of activities related to the prospecting, cultivation and stewardship of individual donors, family foundations and non-profit and corporate sponsors and create and incorporate strategy for growing revenue from donors under $1,000.   
• Cultivate and steward major gift portfolio of individuals and family foundations supporting River Network at the $50,000 level and above. 
• Consistently identify prospective individual donors and corporate sponsors, actively communicating persuasively and passionately by phone, via email, through both virtual and in-person meetings, and using written collateral (i.e. proposals and reports) resulting in commitments to River Network and moving investors along a continuum toward higher levels of giving.  
• Oversee direct mail, email, and social media campaigns and annual appeals in collaboration with Brand and Communications Director and other colleagues, including potential use of contractors and/or other marketing services as needed.   
• Coordinate President/CEO’s connections and assist with scheduling and coordinating time with prospective and existing major donors and corporate sponsors.  

• Develop excellent working relationships with River Network’s Board of Directors, working collaboratively with individual board members to assist in executing their annual fundraising goals and commitments. 
• Support the execution of nonprofit and corporate sponsorships for River Network’s River Rally conference, including persuasive communication with existing and prospective non-profit and corporate partners through phone conversations, personal visits, written proposals and reports.  
• Implement Planned Giving program and integrate non-cash asset options into individual donor conversations and strategies.  
• Serve as a philanthropy content resource for our nationwide network of water protectors and have desire or willingness to create and deliver presentations on best practices via online or in-person workshops and other resources. 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Five to seven years professional fundraising experience with in-depth experience developing and implementing successful strategies and campaigns attracting support from individuals and corporations. 
• Ability to lead individual and family foundation major gift donor strategy and stewardship of gifts of $50,000 and above, including prospecting and searching for new opportunities.   
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, proven experience translating complex and technical concepts into compelling and clear messages for specific audiences. 
• Detail-oriented, with proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and delivering assignments within stringent deadlines. 

• Highly technologically savvy, with proficiency in donor management systems (Salesforce), prospect research tools (DonorSearch), and MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and ability to comprehend and interpret nonprofit financial statements. 
• Willingness to travel to visit with individual donor and corporate supporters and prospects, availability for events, as applicable.  
• Knowledge of current and evolving trends in donor engagement and corporate sponsorship. 
• Commitment to values of mutual respect and collaboration, teamwork and embracing and promoting diversity. 

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience managing major donors and securing $1,000+ donations from individuals or family foundations.  
• Experience in or excitement for trust-based philanthropy and other new philanthropy models. 
• Experience in discussing non-cash philanthropic gifts and/or building a Planned Giving program  

TO APPLY: Please send a brief cover letter and resume as one integrated PDF or Word document to: development@rivernetwork.org with “Philanthropy Director” as the subject. References, work samples, simulations, and questions will be part of the selection process. No phone calls please. The successful applicant must also meet the requirements of River Network’s background screening process.  

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with each qualification in the job description, please go ahead and apply anyway! You might be just the right candidate for this role. Consistent with our values and our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as stated above, River Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  

https://www.rivernetwork.org/careers/philanthropy-director/