Hawaiʻi Land Trust

Our Mission is to protect and steward the lands that sustain Hawaiʻi, and to perpetuate Hawaiian values by connecting people with ʻāina. Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT) takes a uniquely Hawaiian and holistic approach to land conservation. We conserve lands that enable Hawaiʻi's long-term well-being, prioritizing the protection of coastlines, wahi kupuna (Hawaiian cultural landscapes), and lands that grow healthy food for Hawaiʻi’s people.

We seek to complement the stewardship others are providing for mountaintop watersheds by concentrating largely on needs and opportunities for coastal and agricultural lands. HILT protects valuable and irreplaceable lands through the use of Conservation Easements held in perpetuity, or fee simple purchase.

Opportunity Type
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Full-Time Jobs

Opportunity Title
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Director of Philanthropy

The Director of Philanthropy is a seasoned fundraiser responsible for implementing a well-developed fundraising program, including annual gifts, major gifts, planned giving, grant proposals and reporting, and fundraising events. They must build long-term donor partnerships that increase organizational revenue to support Hawaiʻi Land Trust’s (HILT) growing portfolio of work throughout Hawaiʻi. The Director of Philanthropy plays a critical role in HILT’s growth, sustainability, and ability to deliver on HILT’s mission to protect and steward the lands that sustain Hawaiʻi and perpetuate Hawaiian values by connecting people with ʻāina.

The Director of Philanthropy reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works closely with staff across the organization. The Director of Philanthropy also interfaces frequently with HILT’s Board of Directors.

This position is located in Hawaiʻi. The ideal candidate lives in Hawaiʻi, preferably Oʻahu, or has lived in Hawaiʻi and is looking to return.

• Extensive experience in fundraising, development, or a related field that provides an equivalent skillset.
• Demonstrated success in:
  • raising over $2M per year through philanthropy and grants for 5 years or more;
  • securing individual gifts and grants of $50,000 or more;
  • building long-term philanthropic relationships with individuals and organizations;
  • writing and designing annual appeals and other fundraising-related communications
  • developing and implementing multi-year fundraising plans aligned with overarching organizational goals and consistently meeting annual fundraising goals; and
  • hosting fundraising events.
• Established professional network in Hawaiʻi with relevant partners, funders, government officials, companies, and community leaders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to inform and inspire people to support HILT’s work.
• Results-driven, strategic thinker. Effective under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Executive level leadership and staff management experience preferred, particularly in the nonprofit or public sectors.
• Familiar with:
  • Hawaiʻi’s political, cultural, and land use history;
  • major issues currently impacting Hawaiʻi’s lands and people and related solutions;
  • Hawaiian cultural values, worldviews, practices, and language; and
  • practices associated with ʻāina stewardship.
• Able to navigate a wide variety of business and social settings, including cultural gatherings, and enjoy sharing HILT’s work with individuals and organizations that are not yet familiar.
• Able to regularly travel between the Hawaiian Islands and occasionally to the U.S. continent.
• Able to comfortably hike for extended periods through undeveloped and harsh landscapes and participate in occasional land stewardship activities.
• Experience with CRM systems for donor management.

• Responsible for raising $2-4M annually to sustain HILT’s operations…