Director of Philanthropy

High Country News is hiring a Director of Philanthropy
to lead the fundraising efforts of our award-winning nonprofit
media organization. This is a chance to help take a beloved Western
institution to the next level, as we draw a broader, more diverse
public into the vital conversations about the land and water,
climate and conservation, and diverse human and natural communities
of the Western United States.

The Director of Philanthropy is a key member of HCN’s
senior management team, overseeing all of the fundraising
activities that support HCN’s monthly magazine, digital
publishing activities, and community engagement. This position
works closely with the Executive Director & Publisher, directs
the Fundraising Department, collaborates with the other senior
managers, and keeps the staff and board abreast of, and engaged in,
fundraising efforts.

The ideal candidate has proven experience in supervising and
leading teams to success; thorough understanding of a wide range of
fundraising techniques; deep knowledge of the Western United States
and an appreciation for the value of independent journalism; and
experience advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
within fundraising principles.

 

Duties/Outcomes

The Director of Philanthropy will work under the direct
supervision of the Executive Director & Publisher. Duties will
include:

• Works closely with the Executive Director & Publisher (ED)
  to set philanthropic scope and direction, and to foster an
  atmosphere of collaboration, innovation and belonging
• Develops fundraising plan and sets strategic goals, including
  major gifts, grants, fund drives, monthly giving, planned giving,
  and special initiatives and campaigns
• Sets Fundraising Department goals for advancing justice,
  equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI), and develops strategies to
  build a funder community that reflects the diversity of the region
  HCN serves
• Builds and manages the Fundraising Department budget, ensuring
  that expenditure is effectively controlled and revenue goals are
  met
• Manages Fundraising Department staff, including hiring,
  training, setting individual performance goals and providing
  ongoing review and feedback that is fair and consistent, and in
  alignment with HCN’s policies and practices
• Oversees relationships with key external contractors including
  Grant Writer, Direct Mail & Campaign Marketer, Salesforce
  Consultant and others as needed
• Attends senior manager and board meetings, and reports
  regularly to the senior management team and board on Fundraising
  Department activities and progress
• Oversees direction of fundraising-related mailings, email and
  social media appeals, website and magazine ads, online donation
  pages, fact sheets and acknowledgement letters, working
  collaboratively with the ED, Marketing and Production teams
• Represents HCN’s mission, vision, impact and
  commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion to members
  of the staff, HCN’s community of readers and funders, and
  other stakeholders
• Manages a portfolio of major donors and cultivates
  relationships through personal correspondence and visits, both
  alone and with the ED, board members, and members of the
  Fundraising and Editorial staffs
• Guides the fundraising activities of the Executive
  Director
• Supports the Board Fundraising Committee Chair in cultivating
  donor relationships with board members, and solicits them for
  annual gifts
• Maintains Fundraising Department handbook detailing practices,
  workflows and gift acceptance guidelines, with input and
  collaboration from Fundraising staff and Board Fundraising
  Committee
• Works with Fundraising, Product & Marketing and Customer
  Service teams to ensure that HCN’s donor records and data
  tracking are accurate and up to date
• Works in partnership with team members and other departments to
  oversee donor event planning
• Works with the Editorial team to ensure program information for
  donor and foundation pitches and reports is clear and in alignment
  with program requirements
• Ensures that HCN’s nonprofit listings and
  registrations are up to date

High Country News is working to address a historic lack
of representation, inclusion and equity in journalism with
effective solutions. We welcome applicants from all life
experiences and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented
backgrounds to apply, including Indigenous people, people of color,
women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, two spirit and
non-binary people.

 

Skills and Experience

We’re most interested in hearing how your own skills, broader
experience and qualifications would enhance the role and benefit
HCN and the communities we serve and hope to serve across
the West. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about the
mission and values of HCN, and driven to enhance
diversity, equity and inclusion in journalism and in working
practices and company cultures.

The ideal candidate has deep understanding of, and passion for,
HCN’s mission and values; exceptional written and verbal
communication skills; the ability to engage diverse internal and
external audiences, including staff and board members, and new and
longtime supporters; strong organizational skills and the ability
to monitor and control budgets; and thorough knowledge of a wide
range of fundraising techniques.

 

Compensation and general terms

This is a full-time, exempt position with employer-funded
medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits; paid vacation
leave starting at 12 days a year plus 11 HCN paid holiday
days each year; paid sick and family leave benefits; “TK Time” –
one paid half-day off per month that does not accrue; a monthly
remote work stipend and IT start-up stipend; 401k retirement plan
with employer match contribution; and a salary in the range of
$90,759 to $95,801 annual equivalent, dependent on skills and
experience.

This is a remote working role. Candidates must reside in, or be
willing to move to, one of the Western states of Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. It is preferred that candidates have
access to a major airport and be able to travel to meet with donors
in person and attend occasional events in the Intermountain West or
West Coast. This position is eligible for relocation expenses.

 

To Apply, please send a résumé, cover letter, and two
(2) writing samples (*see instructions below) to careers@hcn.org
with “Director of Philanthropy” in the subject line. Your
cover letter should include any personal experience or
qualifications you may have, and how you’d advance justice, equity,
diversity and inclusion through the work. Closing date for
applications is March 31, 2024. In your email, please let
us know how you heard about the position.

*We’ve found that it’s helpful to look at actual work
samples to get a better sense of your written communication skills
and style. Please share 2 pieces of your writing that will help to
give us that sense. One should be a mass appeal to a membership
base asking for financial support, and one should be a letter to an
individual donor or funder making a case for support. We’ll keep
anything that you share with us confidential. Please redact names
or other details to keep information private.

 

High Country News is committed to advancing diversity,
equity, and inclusion among our staff, volunteers, programs, and
partners; and to creating a safe, supportive and accommodating work
community. HCN is an equal opportunity employers and
prohibits the unlawful discrimination against applicants or
employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed,
religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran
status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or any
other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Background

High Country News is the nation’s leading independent source of
thoughtful, in-depth reporting on the Western United States.
Established in 1970, HCN produces an award-winning monthly
magazine and a popular website, along with email newsletters and
events. From Alaska and the Northern Rockies to the Desert
Southwest, from the Great Plains to the West Coast, HCN is
a beloved and essential resource for those who care about this
region. HCN is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit whose
mission is to inform and inspire people to act on behalf of the
West’s diverse natural and human communities.