Director of Philanthropy

Location:  Remote within the continental U.S.
or hybrid in Burlington, VT. 1% for the Planet is headquartered in
Burlington, Vermont. Must be legally authorized to work in the
U.S.—no employer sponsorship offered at this time.  
Benefits:

• 25 days of paid time off and 11 holidays, plus time off between
  December 25 and January 1
• Flexible schedule with fixed 4-day workweek plus “Flex
  Fridays”
• 100% of premiums covered for single or family plans for health,
  dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-funded health reimbursement account (HRA) and medical
  travel reimbursement
• 403(b) retirement plan with 6% employer match
• Short- and long-term disability, accident, and life
  insurance
• $1,000 annual employee support fund for professional
  development, remote work setup, and/or caregiving related to work
  travel
• 4 weeks paid sabbatical every 5 years of employment
• 6 months paid parental leave

The job

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of
Philanthropy is a Leadership Team member and an active participant
in making strategic decisions affecting 1% for the Planet. In
partnership with the CEO, this position leads all fundraising and
philanthropic development activities for the organization and the
Planet Impact Fund. The successful candidate is responsible for
annual and multi-year fundraising strategy and leads efforts to
build 1% for the Planet’s visibility, impact, and financial
resources by cultivating individual and philanthropic support.

The Director of Philanthropy will establish and implement the
infrastructure needed to resource 30%+ of the $10M+ operating
budget with philanthropic dollars through soliciting major gifts,
corporate, and foundation support. They will expand and diversify
1% for the Planet’s donor base/pipeline and work closely with other
team members to secure funding for new initiatives. In addition,
the Director of Philanthropy will work closely with the CEO, who
plays an active fundraising role and will support Board members as
they take on a more active fundraising role.

The amount raised by 1% for the Planet is expected to increase
in future years as the Director of Philanthropy systematically and
effectively strengthens the organization’s overall fundraising
capacity. This is a unique opportunity in that the role will grow
fundraising not only to support 1% for the Planet’s operations but
also to grow our Planet Impact Fund meaningfully: an innovative
philanthropic tool driving impact through investments and annual
grants. We seek an individual who is innovative, strategic, broadly
knowledgeable, and experienced in the philanthropic space—including
major gift fundraising—who is eager to cultivate donor engagement
and will be a collaborative leader both up and across the
organization.

Key responsibilities

The Director of Philanthropy will lead 1% for the Planet’s
philanthropic strategy across the
organization and the Planet Impact Fund. Specifically, they
will:

• Support and partner with the CEO and senior leaders on
  organizational philanthropic strategy
• Lead development of the annual and multi-year operational
  strategy to set and meet philanthropic targets ($3.5M in 2024 and
  growing from there), including both increasing donor retention and
  expanding the donor base with new major gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of key donor relationships and make priority
  asks; secure transformational gifts to power impact growth.
• Work cross-collaboratively to create and implement a successful
  go-to-market plan for the Planet Impact Fund, attracting new and
  repeat donors
• Support and mentor all Development Team members to thrive and
  grow in their roles, and execute effectively toward philanthropic
  and financial strategy
• Coordinate Development Team’s donor prospect, cultivation, and
  stewardship work
• Work closely with the Individual and Corporate Gift Officer to
  engage the CEO and Board members in relevant donor relationships
  and activities
• Oversee research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to
  help position 1% for the Planet ahead of major funding changes or
  trends
• Monitor all donor information; provide statistical analysis to
  Board and senior leaders

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• 8+ years of professional experience in philanthropy; preference
  for additional experience in other arenas connecting capital and
  impact
• Demonstrated success as both a strategist and practitioner,
  with a strong track record of making successful asks for
  transformational gifts, developing revenue generation programs, and
  exceeding goals.
• Tangible experience of expanding and cultivating existing donor
  relationships over time
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability
  to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term
  relationships
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively
  impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight but
  also as a team player who will productively engage with others at
  varying levels of seniority within and outside the
  organization
• Experience managing people and supporting them in their
  professional growth
• High energy and passion for 1% for the Planet’s mission
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual
  strategic development plan
• Strong organizational and time management skills with
  exceptional attention to detail
• Customer focus
• A professional, resourceful, and transparent style; the ability
  to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and
  to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time