Individual Giving Director

Position Type: Full time, exempt

Location: Bozeman, MT preferred; remote considered

Compensation: $75,000- $95,000 DOE

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision insurance, up to a 5% match on 401k contributions, generous PTO, and flexible scheduling 

Anticipated Travel: Up to 20%

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Application Deadline: May 6, 2024

Preferred Start Date: July 1, 2024

About the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC / the Center)

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation is a nonprofit organization based in Bozeman, Montana. We bring science, policy, and proven solutions directly to communities working to protect and restore the health and climate integrity of the planet through large-scale conservation measures. The Center is a leader in the fast-growing global movement to reverse landscape fragmentation, restore nature’s resilience to climate change, and support community-led action. 

The Center offers a supportive, flexible, and dynamic work environment. We place a high degree of emphasis on hiring staff who bring diverse skills, backgrounds, and life experience, consistent enthusiasm and energy, and a collaborative mindset to the Center. We work to actively cultivate an inclusive workplace and people of color, LGBTQ+ persons, and people from other historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Overview

As an essential member of the Development and Communications Team, the Individual Giving Director drives the development and maintenance of a portfolio of individual and major gifts to achieve fundraising goals identified in the Center’s annual budget and strategic plan. This new position will build out the Center’s Individual Giving Program to diversify current revenue streams allowing greater flexibility to truly drive our mission-centric strategy. The ideal candidate will have exceptional relationship-building skills, comfort in a forward-facing donor engagement role and a strong understanding of donor/partner cultivation and management. This philanthropic leader will have a proven track record in building a donor portfolio and developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies and systems.

The Individual Giving Director will manage and direct each step of the donor pipeline, including prospecting, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. As a direct report to the Chief Strategy Officer, they will utilize the Center’s Board of Directors to engage potential donors directly through cultivation and events. With the Communications Manager, this person will develop creative and influential content and marketing strategies that connect donors of all sizes with our work and its impact. Lastly, alongside our Foundation and Grants Manager, they will ensure effective philanthropic operations and drive fundraising best practices.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of an increasing portfolio of prospective and current individual donors to ensure a steady pool of unrestricted funding, as well as identifying and recruiting new planned giving donors.
  • Craft and execute solicitation strategies for individual donors—write briefings, prepare correspondence, set meetings, make the ask, follow up on all solicitations, and steward the donation and the ongoing relationship.
  • Work with Board Advancement Committee.
  • Organize and manage Annual Fund and other individual giving efforts.
• Strengthen individual-donor operations and stewardship.
  • Oversee and improve internal processes for donor research, communications and data management.
  • Work with the Communications Team to build donor-centric cultivation materials.
  • Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of donor relationships, donor data management, and gift agreements.
  • Co-Supervise the Communications and Development Coordinator
• Utilize events to engage donors, prospects, and supporters across portfolios.
  • Lead in design, preparation, and implementation of fundraising events.
  • Participate in events and other networking opportunities with prospective and current donors.
• Develop strong relationships with program staff and create effective ways to communicate their work to our donors and prospects.
• Become knowledgeable and conversant in all aspects of the Center for Large Landscapes’ mission, programs, and strategic framework.
• Amplify a culture of philanthropy amongst our staff, board, and partners.
• Perform special projects, research, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Expectations   

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Minimum 8 years progressive fundraising experience, with emphasis on annual and major gifts fundraising strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual donors with experience securing gifts from individual donors of 5- to 6- figures.
• Excellent relationship-building skills such as the ability to build rapport with internal and external stakeholders around the Center’s mission, approach and programs.
• Knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, annual appeals and major gifts.
• Understanding of best practices in donor relationship management and event planning.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and quality, and exceptional follow-up skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience giving presentations to donors or prospective donors.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint and proficient with cloud-based applications such as Google Suites, Box.com, and Slack.
• Experience with fundraising CRM/database programs.
• Passion for and interest in the environment and nature; knowledge of conservation science and ecology a plus.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate with a wide range of colleagues at the local and global levels.

Essential Qualifications:

• Ability to work effectively and respectfully across cultures.
• Ability to travel domestically and possibly internationally, by car or plane, for up to 20% of their time.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

General Expectations:

• Support the Center’s internal policies and processes and help to advance organizational effectiveness and culture.
• Bring integrity, genuineness, and intellectual curiosity to your daily work.
• Provide leadership in decision making and problem solving in your program area.
• Commit to mentorship; invest time to support, coach & empower your team.
• Give, receive, and process information in a professional manner.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information.
• Understand and strive for long-term sustainability of the organization.
• Positively represent the Center in both public and private settings.