Donor Storytelling Specialist

Office Location:

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Candidates located within commuting distance to the Twin Cities of Minnesota are preferred, but flexible arrangements are possible for candidates who live within the Tri-State Chapter’s Geography (Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota).

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Donor Storytelling Specialist will join The Nature Conservancy’s Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota chapter philanthropy team. In this role, you will be responsible for elevating the awareness and perception of The Nature Conservancy’s work within the chapter’s philanthropic community and heighten the overall major donor experience. Combining adept writing, inclusive storytelling, and design skills with excellent project management and organizational skills, you will write and edit a suite of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials directly in support of the MN-ND-SD chapter’s major gift fundraising efforts. You will serve as a liaison between colleagues in TNC’s global office, chapter and division marketing/communications, conservation, and our chapter’s philanthropy team to ensure consistency and alignment on key strategies and timelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write, edit, and design a wide variety of inclusive donor communications, including monthly newsletters; quarterly board committee reports; case statements; campaign one-sheets and supporting materials; endowment reports; acknowledgement letters; renewal solicitations; event invitations; and fact sheets.
• Provide writing and editing support for specified private individual, foundation, and corporate entities, including letters of intent, proposals, and stewardship reports (in partnership with fundraisers, conservation program staff, and finance team).
• Support donor engagement and outreach activities by creating event-related materials (presentation materials, programs, prepared remarks, etc.)
• Develop annual philanthropy communications plan, ensuring alignment with chapter and division-level marketing and communications strategies.
• Serve as team expert and resource on organizational branding, themes, and key messaging to describe our programs across our chapter’s landscapes while advocating for and elevating stories from diverse communities.

We’re Looking for You:

We’re looking for an individual whose passion for writing, nature, storytelling, and inclusivity allows them to authentically connect with a passionate group of major donors through strategic, impact-based communications. A successful candidate will be a globally minded thinker, a creative and diplomatic problem solver, a detail-oriented project manager, and a proactive and responsive communicator who is flexible, adaptable, and excited to work across teams with a wide array of stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience crafting stories that meaningfully connect a donor’s philanthropic goals with TNC’s critically important on-the-ground efforts across our chapter’s landscapes. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of climate and conservation by shaping (and telling!) the stories that bring our ambitious work to life as we enter a campaign that will have lasting impact across the three states we serve – and globally!

This is a highly collaborative role where some in-person work at our Minneapolis office is expected. Our office is across Gold Medal Park and next to trails lining the Mississippi river. We offer free onsite parking and a flexible hybrid work environment.

Does this sound like you? Is this work in which you can share our passion? Then, come join TNC and apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and 2 years of related experience – or equivalent combination.
• Experience writing or editing three or more of the following: newsletter, magazine, annual report, website articles/stories, donor profiles, presidential acknowledgment letters, campaign brochures, funding proposals, fact sheets, presentations, or equivalent.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills.
• Basic graphic design, layout, and formatting skills.
• Working knowledge of AP style.
• Experience working across departments and/or with cross-functional teams.

In addition, the following DESIRED skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required. We recognize that women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities are less likely to apply if they do not match most of the qualifications. The Nature Conservancy finds strength in diversity of backgrounds, lived experiences, knowledge, and identities. We strongly encourage those interested who bring new perspectives to apply, and please view these as areas or skillsets where you will have opportunities for growth and professional development. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice.
• Proven experience writing successful funding proposals for high-net-worth individuals, corporations, or foundations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Experience utilizing a donor database/CRM, email communication tools, and design software.
• Knowledge and application of current and evolving issues related to conservation, climate, and/or environmental work.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

Additional Information:

TNC also fosters an environment supportive of empowering our employees, amplifying an equitable workforce, and creating opportunities to participate in our nine Employee Resource Groups. 

In alignment with the global organization, the Tri-State chapter is making an intentional effort to creating a community of inclusivity and belonging through collaboration and feedback. We’re committed to building a culture based on trust, transparency, empathy, and accountability. We value individuality and difference of backgrounds and ideas, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. 

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $65,000 – $70,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment. Candidates located within commuting distance to the Twin Cities are highly preferred.