Director of Philanthropy – Illinois

In January 2020, Trust for Public Land launched The Power of Land for People (2020-2025) strategic plan to fulfill our vision that every American should have close-to-home access to the benefits of nature. We could not have anticipated the impending COVID-19 pandemic, but it highlighted that our land-for-people solutions are more needed now than at any point in recent memory. Quality parks and natural spaces are a fundamental requirement for sustaining healthy, equitable communities that are resilient and prepared for change. In this moment of polarization and increasing social turmoil, parks and public land reweave our country’s frayed social fabric, reconnecting us to each other and the places and experiences that bind us together as a nation. Today, we concluded Trust for Public Land’s most successful fundraising year, raising $100M. Entering our fifth decade, we have much to celebrate and even more promising work to pursue. Join us to advance “land for people” and grow our philanthropic partnerships to ensure healthy, livable communities for generations to come. – Pat Watson, Chief Philanthropy Officer

Position Summary:
Reporting directly to the Great Lakes Region Director of Philanthropy, the Director of Philanthropy will be responsible for building relationships with and securing six- and seven-figure major gifts from high-net-worth individuals located in Illinois in support of the Illinois program and the organization’s highest priorities, the strategic plan initiatives. We are seeking an entrepreneurial and results-oriented individual who is self-motivated with proven track record of working with this segment of donors, committed to working at the highest level of quality, able to work both independently and in collaboration, manage multiple priorities, and thrive within a fast-paced, results-oriented team.

The Director of Philanthropy will join a team focused on growing existing as well as identifying and engaging new, highly philanthropic individual prospects and work closely with executive, program, and philanthropy leadership to leverage resources across the organization to elevate the work taking place locally, regionally, and nationally. The position is responsible for directly overseeing a portfolio of individuals, corporate, and foundations, with an emphasis on individual high-capacity major gift prospects and donors.

This position will serve as a member of the Great Lakes Region team and expected to work closely with a variety of internal partners including State Leadership, National Programs, Finance, Marketing, Philanthropy Operations, Philanthropy Programs, and Planned Giving teams to drive the integration of an organization-wide philanthropy program.

Responsibilities:

• 50%  Relationship Manager:  Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 donors and prospects with an emphasis on individual major gift ($100K+) donor prospects. Includes donor visits, cultivation and stewardship activities, and solicitations. Creates comprehensive engagement strategies, leads cultivation teams, and leads in the creation and delivery of final solicitation and stewardship materials. Promotes blended gifts, planned giving, and involves peer volunteers, executive leadership, senior management, and project staff in cultivation as needed.
• 30% Program Oversight: Oversee and accountable for all fundraising activities in the Illinois program. Collaborate with program team to design and implement annual and long-range plans, development, and realization of annual revenue goals, and setting the priorities and focus for the philanthropy. Track and report progress toward revenue and programmatic goals. Monitor philanthropy associated expenses ensuring proper investment of resources. Oversee donor communications and recognition, coordinating with regional and national marketing and donor relations departments. Has oversight of donor events and tours. Direct and coordinate the involvement of leadership and program staff with donors and in overall fundraising.
• Collaborates with Illinois State Director and Advisory Board Chair to identify, recruit, cultivate, and retain Advisory Board members, fostering an environment for continued programmatic and philanthropic success. Leads philanthropy-related board activities, including 100% advisory board giving, philanthropic outreach, and donor cultivation events.
• 20% Regional Program & National Initiative Strategy: Interacts with internal contacts such as national program directors, state directors and other fundraising staff to consult on organizational needs, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the organization and to identify potential donors. Assist with the strategy for and creation of written communications from various program leaders appropriate to a donor’s interests. Typically participates (often in concert with others) in gift solicitations to fund organization-wide or regional programs and to enhance the fundraising efforts of key state programs.

Expectations: 
The Director of Philanthropy is expected to:

• Carry a balanced portfolio and actively move them thru the four stages (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship) of the donor cycle.
• Make at least 100 visits with donors and prospects, annually.
• Contribute to Philanthropy’s overall success by assuring budget and goals are met or exceeded.
• Stay abreast of changes and innovations in federal and state tax laws that may be relevant to major gifts prospects.
• Model TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.

Experience, Education, and Skills Required

• Minimum five+ years demonstrated major gift fundraising success.
• Ability to organize and motivate others, including peers and volunteers.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices across all disciplines of fundraising (institutional giving, working with volunteers, major gifts, planned giving, etc.)
• Experience in planning, leading, and managing action plans, campaigns, and projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, tracking, and reporting on progress to management.
• The ability to focus efforts and train non-philanthropy staff in the discipline of fundraising as appropriate.
• Strong skills in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. The ability to convey complex ideas via presentations, e-mails, and face to face communications.
• The ability to work with others to reach common goals and objectives.
• Experience establishing and cultivating strong relationships with staff and ability to use good judgment, take initiative, and make recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize database tools to manage donors and build fundraising strategies.
• Available for significant, independent travel (up to 25%)

Compensation
Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment; the Director of Philanthropy will ideally be in the greater Chicago area. As a full-time exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, sick leave, and ten holidays. We also offer a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with an up to 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the hiring range for this position is $115,000-$125,000.

Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.