Associate Individual Giving Officer

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer 2 exempt, full-time positions to candidates who will grow philanthropic support from individual donors. The ideal candidates, one would be based in the Southern or Southwestern United States within a 1 ½-hour drive of a major airport. And the other would be based in the Rockies, the Midwest, or the Northeastern United States within a 1 ½-hour drive of a major airport.

They will be responsible for generating restricted and unrestricted funds from existing and new individual donors to support the NFF’s mission. The position will work closely with the Advancement team and other key staff across the NFF to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts from major gift donors (capable of contributing $25k or more annually). This is an externally focused role with most of the time dedicated to donor outreach, meetings, and travel, supported by targeted prospect research as needed.

This position is an opportunity to build on an important donor program that capitalizes on the organization’s rapid growth and success.

One Position will be based in the Midwest, Northeast or Rockies, and the other will be based in the South or Southwest.

The Associate Individual Giving Officer will:

• Partner with Advancement Operations to identify mid-level donors ($1K–$24,999) who have not yet reached their giving potential and develop strategies to cultivate them toward a major gift ask ($25K+/annually).
• Qualify prospects from within and beyond NFF’s donor pool to build a mature portfolio within three years of 80–100 individuals capable of giving $25K+/annually. This position will fundraise throughout the Rockies, Mid-West, and Northeastern US including (but not limited to) CO, WY, MO, WI, OH, PA, MA, NY.
• Employ a donor “matchmaking” approach—aligning individual interests with NFF’s core priorities in Wildfire Mitigation, Land and Water Restoration, and Recreation, as well as specific on-the-ground projects—to develop tailored strategies that maximize each donor’s philanthropic potential. Developing strategies for prospecting, cultivating, and soliciting donors for showcase projects within the assigned region.
• Cultivate strong donor relationships through regular in-person and virtual meetings, experiences, and timely communications that deepen engagement with NFF’s mission and programs.
• Design and implement robust stewardship strategies to help donors understand and experience their impact.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of donor engagement, strategy, and activity using CRM and moves management systems.
• Serve as the advancement representative, and potential “liaison” for regional conservation teams, ensuring alignment between fundraising strategies of the national fundraising team, and the needs of NFF’s field-based Conservation Teams.
• Travel approximately 35–40% of the time (averaging 1 ½ trips per month) by air, car or public transit. In addition to covering the territory previously mentioned in this description, this position requires regular local travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NFF expects the Associate Individual Giving Officer to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• At least 3 years’ nonprofit development experience with proven results.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising principles.
• Commitment to the Mission
• Must have valid U.S. driver’s license, clean driving record. and access to a reliable personal vehicle for transportation to/from the airport, meetings, and donor visits within driving distance.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including comfort with phone calls, presentations, and soliciting donors.
• Ability to communicate the NFF’s mission with enthusiasm, passion, candor, and nuance.
• Ability to effectively leverage technology to connect with geographically dispersed donors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite of software applications.
• Strong relationship building and management skills.
• Ability to work independently and remotely while still functioning as an integral member…