Director of Philanthropy

TITLE: Director of Philanthropy

DIVISION: Philanthropy

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Philanthropy

LOCATION: Remote (Midwest or West Coast)

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

GROUP: Core

HOURS: Full-time averaging 40 hours per week

BENEFITS: Refer to benefit guide and handbook

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Employees are expected to be responsible for and assist with additional tasks and duties as needed. Job description details including title, duties, division, reports to, supervises, work location, FLSA status, group, hours, and benefits are subject to change at the discretion and needs of the organization and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

JOB PURPOSE: The Director of Philanthropy is a senior individual contributor who builds lasting partnerships with donors who share American Prairie’s vision. Those partnerships turn into the major gifts that power the Forever Wild comprehensive campaign. Success in this role is measured by fundraising results and by the strength of donor relationships. Lasting donor partnerships take time to build and this role is set up with that in mind. Goals phase in over three years: 50% of the full goal in year one, 75% in year two, and the full goal in year three. Once fully ramped up, the role is expected to deliver:

• Major gifts: Regularly secures five and six-figure gift commitments.

• Principal gifts: From time to time this role may include the cultivation of principal gifts in philanthropy leadership.

• Transformational gifts: Partners with senior leadership on principal gift opportunities as they emerge.

• A growing pipeline: Qualifies at least 35 new major gift prospects each year and cultivates a portfolio of 80–120 donors and prospects with capacity to give $10,000 to $1,000,000+ with an annual goal of $1M+ (subject to annual review and adjustment based on revenue needs and portfolio development).

• Deepening donor commitment: Keeps portfolio donors engaged and giving, and helps them increase their investment over time. All portfolio gifts of $10,000 count toward the position’s annual goal.

• Shared success: Contributes to the Philanthropy team’s goals and helps shape how the team measures its impact in the years ahead.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:

Fundraising, Cultivation, and Stewardship (100%)

• Independently manages a portfolio of 80–120 major and planned gift donors and prospects. Uses a disciplined moves management approach to move each relationship from qualification through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Engagement includes in-person and virtual visits, personalized communications, events, and hosted visits to American Prairie properties, with the goal of securing transformational gifts and deepening long-term investment in the mission.

• Personally solicits major, and planned gift commitments, primarily $50,000 and above, from time to time this will include principal seven-figure asks. Designs tailored, multi-year solicitation strategies that align donor interests with organizational priorities, and brings in senior leadership, board members, and program staff where they strengthen the ask.

• Acts as a knowledgeable, credible ambassador for American Prairie, with deep fluency across the organization’s conservation work, initiatives, and the Forever Wild comprehensive campaign. Turns organizational strategy into compelling cases for support and gives portfolio donors timely, high-level updates.

• Leads strategic prospect identification and qualification with the Philanthropy Operations and Marketing teams, drawing on peer-to-peer networks, volunteer and board connections, Salesforce, wealth screening tools, and independent research. Qualifies at least 35 new prospects a year to build a strong major and planned gift pipeline.

• Maintains rigorous, current records in Salesforce, including meeting dossiers, contact reports, solicitation and stewardship plans, and activity tracking. Uses portfolio data to assess progress, prioritize effort, and inform team metrics and forecasting.

• Designs and leads high-impact donor engagement experiences, both events and intimate gatherings, that advance specific cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship goals. Recruits, prepares, and partners with volunteer hosts, and converts engagement into measurable pipeline progress.

• Serves as a senior thought partner to the Philanthropy and Marketing teams. Shares donor insights to shape organizational messaging, proposals, and collateral, keeps communications aligned with major gift priorities, and contributes to team-wide strategies for growing the number of major and planned gift donors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Enthusiasm for American Prairie’s mission, values, goals, and culture, and the ability to represent them with credibility to high-capacity donors.

• At least 5 years of directly related philanthropy experience, with a focus on major and principal gifts.

• A record of personally securing five- and six-figure gift commitments.

• Experience working in a comprehensive fundraising program. Campaign experience is strongly preferred.

• Advanced skill in major gift strategy, including multi-year cultivation and solicitation planning, moves management, portfolio prioritization, and philanthropy ethics.

• Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles, and the ability to start planned gift conversations and partner with advisors and specialists.

• Comfort working with board members, senior leadership, and volunteers on cultivation and solicitation, including preparing them for donor meetings and asks.

• Strategic, persuasive communicator in writing and in person, with poise and strong presentation skills.

• Collaborative team member who informally mentors colleagues and shares best practices as an individual contributor.

• Organized, self-directed, and results-focused. Manages a complex portfolio with accuracy, sound judgment, and attention to detail.

• Proficiency with Salesforce or a comparable CRM. Experience using wealth screening and prospect research tools

• Ability to work non-traditional and long hours. If based outside of Mountain Time, core hours of 10 a.m. -to 2 p.m. MT is expected. The schedule outside core hours flexes to donors’ and employee time zone, with occasional evening and weekend commitments for donor meetings and events.

• Significant travel is required, roughly 15-25% of the time (about 40-70 days a year), with trips usually lasting 2-3 days. Travel peaks in spring (April through June) and late summer through fall (August through November), when it may reach up to two weeks a month. Expect more travel during the onboarding period while you build relationships and get to know the landscape and team

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to drive for work travel, including in rural and remote areas.

Preferred

• 10+ years of major gift experience.

• Experience in conservation, environmental, or land-based organizations.

• A network of philanthropic relationships or familiarity with donor communities in key American Prairie markets.