Associate Director of Philanthropy

Associate Director of Philanthropy

You will qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor prospects, focusing on individuals, corporations, and foundations. Your primary area of responsibility is the MNDK (MN, ND, SD) Chapter, while collaborating globally on direct asks that maximize overall giving to the Conservancy.

• Build and manage a portfolio of 75–125 qualified donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000.
• Achieve an annual fundraising goal of $750,000 or more, with a target for bequest/planned giving commitments.
• Conduct 75–125 donor visits and 225–375 donor moves each year, along with phone calls to qualify and disqualify prospects.
• Understand and apply complex donor‑strategy principles.
• Share information about the Conservancy’s mission and priorities, encouraging flexible gifts.
• Identify gifts of assets or non‑cash opportunities, such as planned gifts and trade lands.
• Use the Conservancy’s donor database and develop funding proposals in partnership with the donor‑communication specialist.
• Operate in a hybrid environment: 2 days in the Minneapolis office and 3 days remote.
• Travel across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and occasionally beyond the chapter for field trips and training; up to 2–3 weeks per year.

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Experience building and maintaining long‑term relationships with fundraising constituents.
• Experience asking for and closing gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Experience managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams.
• Fundraising coursework or training in principles and practices.

• Experience in fundraising‑strategy development, focusing on identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors.
• Experience cultivating a pipeline of new donors.
• Knowledge of corporate, foundation, and individual major giving.
• Proficiency with constituent‑relationship‑management software such as Blackbaud or Raiser's Edge.
• Understanding of project budgets and incorporating budget information into donor proposals.
• Ability to educate donors about appropriate giving vehicles and charitable‑gift planning basics.
• Knowledge of current trends in capital campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving.
• Multilingual skills and cross‑cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to assess a prospect’s interests, capacity, and potential, and tailor engagement accordingly.
• Experience negotiating high‑profile or sensitive agreements.
• Valid driver’s license; compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; may be required to complete a Vehicle Use Agreement.

• Hybrid work: 2 days in Minneapolis office, 3 days remote.
• Travel within Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and occasionally other regions; total travel roughly 2–3 weeks per year.
• Flexible hours and some overtime may be required.
• Work may involve exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion or strain.

The starting pay range is $82,700–$95,000 for U.S. candidates, based on location, qualifications, and experience.

• Health care benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) plan with 8% employer match.
• Parental leave.
• Accrued paid time off.
• Life insurance.
• Disability coverage.
• Employee assistance program.
• Other life and work‑wellness benefits.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Applicants are encouraged from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must pass the Nature Conservancy's background screening process.