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Job Title: Director, Individual Giving
About National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conversation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.
Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.
Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.
Position Summary
Reporting to the VP, Development, the Director, Individual Giving will assist in growing the major gifts program primarily in Washington state for the National Audubon Society. They do so through collaborative fundraising efforts together with field leadership, regionally based current and former national board members, advisory board members, and other conservation professionals working across the Audubon Network, supporting Audubon in achieving its ambitious local, state, and national goals. They will accomplish this in the following ways:
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 100 – 150 major gift donors and prospects based primarily in Washington state and capable of giving $10,000+ annually.
- Partner with regionally based current and former advisory and fiduciary board members to deepen relationships throughout the pacific northwest.
- Establish a framework for increased annual fundraising results for Audubon’s programs in Washington and from donors based in the pacific northwest.
- Lead Washington advisory board engagement activities related to fundraising and participate in board development activities together with field leadership.
The Director will partner across the organization, engaging program staff and Board members in fundraising activities, as well as identify giving opportunities. The right candidate will have lived experience working with people and communities of color – and demonstrated skill in doing so. They must also have exceptional written and oral communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to a collaborative work style.
Key metrics for results will include donor engagement (number of personal meetings with prospect and volunteers) and revenue (value of gifts; the number of solicitations; success rate of solicitations; and achievement of programmatic contributed revenue goals – both for Washington programs and from pacific northwest donors). The successful candidate is an entrepreneurial, results-driven, development professional who is adept at closing six and seven-figure gifts and leading teams.
This position requires up to 50 percent travel in the assigned territories (primarily within Washington state) with occasional evening and weekend travel.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
- Qualify current and prospective donors to develop an active portfolio of 100 – 150 people capable of making major gift level commitments (defined as a giving a minimum of $10,000 annually).
- Create and implement personalized cultivation/briefing/ask strategies for all assigned prospects, based on philanthropic focus to enhance philanthropic giving to Audubon.
- Coordinate and guide program leaders and volunteers to help them effectively carry out their responsibilities related to fundraising.
- Fully brief volunteers, executives, and program staff for all interactions with donors, including research information, goals of meeting and talking points.
- Regularly review portfolio and planned strategies with VP, Development, conservation professionals, and others to align prospects interests with emerging priorities.
- Develop prospect pipeline and continually strive to identify and engage new donors.
- Develop and maintain a deep knowledge of local, state, and national priority projects and core initiatives.
- Help advance the skills of other fundraising staff as a leader and mentor on the development team.
- Using the fundraising database (Salesforce), create and record timely reports on all donor interactions.
- Help achieve specific fundraising goals for assigned areas of focus.
- Help in the identification of new local, state, and national board members.
- Adhere to the highest ethical standards, demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance, reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors.
- Other job-related duties and assigned.
Candidate Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent lived experience required.
- A minimum of ten years of client portfolio management experience, either in the nonprofit sector or a transferable field (sales, marketing, communications, etc.)
- Ability to lead and motivate partners within a matrixed organization to achieve results.
- Experience with complex organizations that have a reputation for strategic thinking, organizational excellence, and bold action.
- Demonstrated track record of forming donor relationships that results in annual gifts in the five and six-figure range, and experience soliciting multi-year commitments and seven-figure gifts preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as to be self-directed with a high degree of accountability.
- Skilled at working cross-functionally with stakeholders, as well as high-level volunteers and boards.
- Ability to manage projects, establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility, and meet deadlines with little direct supervision.
- Ability to drive, manage and delegate project work; establish and monitor priorities and maintain flexibility while meeting deadlines.
- Excellent strategic thinking, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
- Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is required; experience with fundraising databases (e.g. Salesforce) is preferred.
- Commitment to further Audubon’s efforts to create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment.
- Interest, understanding and commitment to the conservation of birds, other wildlife and their habitat is critical; as is the ability to communicate Audubon’s mission, goals, and programs effectively and with the highest professional standards.
- Ability to travel approximately 50% of the time.
Salary
$140,000/yearly
COVID Policy
All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.
POLICY ON RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT
The Batten Group and National Audubon Society are equal opportunity employers committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
