Institutional Giving Director

Who We Are

At TPL, we're a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code.

We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we're an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands. One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home.

We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap—and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change‑makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a dynamic and accomplished Institutional Giving Director (IGD) to elevate and optimize corporate and foundation giving relationships, ensuring sustained success and impact. As an integral member of the California Philanthropy team, the IGD will play a pivotal role in achieving revenue targets that support TPL’s initiatives across California and nationwide. This position calls for an individual with a proven track record of building and growing strong relationships that inspire both new and established partners to contribute generously.

We seek a mature institutional giving director with strong leadership qualities and exceptional internal and external communication strategic thinking, and collaboration skills. The IGD's portfolio will encompass local, regional and national foundations and corporations who currently give in the $50,000 to $500,000+ range and who have potential for growth. Additionally, the IGD will progressively add new institutional donors to the portfolio.

The role entails identifying, nurturing, soliciting, and stewarding corporate and foundation contributors and prospects, managing a donor portfolio, orchestrating donor interactions, coordinating corporate engagement initiatives, tracking prospects, composing persuasive proposals and reports, and upholding effective donor stewardship. By undertaking these responsibilities, the IGD will be instrumental in advancing our thriving programs and expanding Trust for Public Land impact throughout the region and nationwide.

The IGD will have a strategic focus within California. Developing fundraising opportunities for National program support is also expected.

• Forge collaborative gift opportunities in partnership with internal stakeholders (state directors, philanthropy colleagues, program directors, and project managers) to align organizational priorities and secure funding for vital initiatives.
• Identify and assess corporate and foundation prospects. Develop impactful proposals and letters of inquiry, compelling corporate pitches, concept papers, and research briefings.
• Conduct purposeful visits with corporate and foundation prospects to establish meaningful connections, gather insights, evaluate prospects, present innovative ideas, expand networks, enhance understanding of TPL's initiatives, seek invitations for proposals, and ensure effective stewardship. Collaborate strategically with TPL Leadership, volunteers, and staff for such engagements, preparing meticulously for pre‑meeting planning and post‑meeting follow‑up.
• Strategize, create, and implement prospect engagement strategies, encompassing prospect identification, qualification, and cultivation. Determine optimal timing and amounts for funding requests, oversee complex proposal creation including collaboration with budgeting and finance personnel,…