| Company Name | The Nature Conservancy |
| Location |
Boulder, Colorado |
| Date Posted | November 19, 2025 |
| Category | Fundraising |
| Job Type | Non-profit organization |
Description
The Nature Conservancy, Colorado Chapter, is looking for a Director of Philanthropy.
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth. Over the 61 years since its founding, the Conservancy has grown to be the largest single conservation organization in the US and the world. The Conservancy uniquely embodies the concept of working locally and globally simultaneously, tapping local results to inform global strategies and policy. That scope, size, and track record positions the Conservancy to be a transformative global leader in solving some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.
The Colorado Chapter is among the largest and most innovative chapters of The Nature Conservancy, with approximately 55 employees, $226 million in assets, and an outstanding record of conservation success. Through our on-the-ground and in-the-water projects across Colorado’s diverse habitats and communities, we seek innovative solutions that protect critical landscapes and fresh water resources. And, Colorado's conservation efforts do not impact Colorado alone. The solutions the organization forges here have repercussions across the country and the world; they have been used to shape and inform public policy, the practices of industries, and the actions of conservationists around the world. To support this critical work, the Colorado philanthropy team has lead staff and trustees to undertake ambitious fundraising goals – most recently the successful completion of a 5-year, $74 million campaign.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years’ fundraising experience.
• Experience managing and supervising a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience with current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.
• Experience in asking for and closing major gifts and building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in of the basics of charitable gift planning.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Director of Philanthropy (DoP) for Colorado leads Colorado staff in planning and implementing a comprehensive development program that secures significant philanthropic resources from Colorado individuals, foundations, and corporations to support the Conservancy’s conservation priorities within Colorado and around the world. The DoP manages all major gift functions defined as outright and planned gifts of $100K+ and is a key member of the chapter's leadership team.
The DoP carries out these specific duties and others as needed:
1. Works with staff in the Colorado Chapter and across the Conservancy to raise critical funding for the Conservancy’s high-priority conservation projects in Colorado and around the world.
2. Works with senior staff in Colorado to establish fundraising goals for the Colorado Chapter and is accountable for meeting them.
3. Provides senior leadership in Colorado for fundraising campaigns and, in collaboration with other senior philanthropy staff leaders, participates in the design of organization-wide campaigns.
4. Leads, inspires, and manages the 11-person Colorado Philanthropy Team to achieve relationship-building and funding objectives:
o Sets and meets fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops effective strategies as needed.
o Motivates and coordinates the efforts of a multi-disciplinary staff in fundraising, including donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, and nurtures effective team collaboration.
o Hires, manages, and establishes fundraising goals for Associate Directors of Philanthropy and Deputy Director of Philanthropy.
5. Directly manages a portfolio of high-level donors and/or fundraising volunteers.
6. Serves on the Colorado Chapter’s Executive and Management Teams.
7. Works closely with the Colorado Board of Trustees to maximize their role in major and principal gift fundraising, and collaborates with the executive director and trustees in the recruitment and development of new volunteer leaders.
8. Plays a leadership role in shaping the Conservancy’s fundraising system to meet the organization’s long-term conservation objectives.
9. Actively fosters collaboration between the Worldwide Office and the field and other with other field-based fundraising programs to achieve the Conservancy’s goals.
The DoP understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth. Over the 61 years since its founding, the Conservancy has grown to be the largest single conservation organization in the US and the world. The Conservancy uniquely embodies the concept of working locally and globally simultaneously, tapping local results to inform global strategies and policy. That scope, size, and track record positions the Conservancy to be a transformative global leader in solving some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.
The Colorado Chapter is among the largest and most innovative chapters of The Nature Conservancy, with approximately 55 employees, $226 million in assets, and an outstanding record of conservation success. Through our on-the-ground and in-the-water projects across Colorado’s diverse habitats and communities, we seek innovative solutions that protect critical landscapes and fresh water resources. And, Colorado's conservation efforts do not impact Colorado alone. The solutions the organization forges here have repercussions across the country and the world; they have been used to shape and inform public policy, the practices of industries, and the actions of conservationists around the world. To support this critical work, the Colorado philanthropy team has lead staff and trustees to undertake ambitious fundraising goals – most recently the successful completion of a 5-year, $74 million campaign.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years’ fundraising experience.
• Experience managing and supervising a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience with current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.
• Experience in asking for and closing major gifts and building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in of the basics of charitable gift planning.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Director of Philanthropy (DoP) for Colorado leads Colorado staff in planning and implementing a comprehensive development program that secures significant philanthropic resources from Colorado individuals, foundations, and corporations to support the Conservancy’s conservation priorities within Colorado and around the world. The DoP manages all major gift functions defined as outright and planned gifts of $100K+ and is a key member of the chapter's leadership team.
The DoP carries out these specific duties and others as needed:
1. Works with staff in the Colorado Chapter and across the Conservancy to raise critical funding for the Conservancy’s high-priority conservation projects in Colorado and around the world.
2. Works with senior staff in Colorado to establish fundraising goals for the Colorado Chapter and is accountable for meeting them.
3. Provides senior leadership in Colorado for fundraising campaigns and, in collaboration with other senior philanthropy staff leaders, participates in the design of organization-wide campaigns.
4. Leads, inspires, and manages the 11-person Colorado Philanthropy Team to achieve relationship-building and funding objectives:
o Sets and meets fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops effective strategies as needed.
o Motivates and coordinates the efforts of a multi-disciplinary staff in fundraising, including donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, and nurtures effective team collaboration.
o Hires, manages, and establishes fundraising goals for Associate Directors of Philanthropy and Deputy Director of Philanthropy.
5. Directly manages a portfolio of high-level donors and/or fundraising volunteers.
6. Serves on the Colorado Chapter’s Executive and Management Teams.
7. Works closely with the Colorado Board of Trustees to maximize their role in major and principal gift fundraising, and collaborates with the executive director and trustees in the recruitment and development of new volunteer leaders.
8. Plays a leadership role in shaping the Conservancy’s fundraising system to meet the organization’s long-term conservation objectives.
9. Actively fosters collaboration between the Worldwide Office and the field and other with other field-based fundraising programs to achieve the Conservancy’s goals.
The DoP understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
Job Requirements
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years’ fundraising experience.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation and capital campaigns.
• Proven success in asking for and closing major gifts and building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
• Possesses a working and effective understanding of the basics of charitable gift planning. Knowledge of more advanced gift planning concepts a plus.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Ability to design, implement and direct multiple projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
• Ability to think strategically, creating competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans locally and organization-wide.
• Ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose. Ability to inspire, motivate, and marshal resources throughout the entire organization.
• Ability to cultivate the creative ideas of others, make connections between ideas, and project potential outcomes.
• Ability to experiment to find creative solutions. Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar opportunities.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Ability to make strategic decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment.
• Maximum opportunity to act independently.
• Ability to commit the organization’s actions and resources in a way that affects public image.
• Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
• Broad management and leadership responsibility for administrative, professional and volunteer staff and department, including training and professional development. Establishes clear directions and sets “stretch” objectives.
• Broad financial responsibility includes setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results and developing corrective strategies as needed.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Superb communications and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including major donors, corporate executives, board members and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with influential people. Commands attention. Can change tactics midstream and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
• Leverages constructive and effective relationships with development team and leaders within the organization.
• Ability to diffuse high-tension situations comfortably and maintains composure under pressure.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends. Willingness to travel frequently and on short notice
HOW TO APPLY: For more information and to apply, please visit us at www.nature.org/careers and search for position # 40535. Please apply with cover letter and resume. Application deadline January 11, 2013.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years’ fundraising experience.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation and capital campaigns.
• Proven success in asking for and closing major gifts and building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
• Possesses a working and effective understanding of the basics of charitable gift planning. Knowledge of more advanced gift planning concepts a plus.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Ability to design, implement and direct multiple projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
• Ability to think strategically, creating competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans locally and organization-wide.
• Ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose. Ability to inspire, motivate, and marshal resources throughout the entire organization.
• Ability to cultivate the creative ideas of others, make connections between ideas, and project potential outcomes.
• Ability to experiment to find creative solutions. Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar opportunities.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Ability to make strategic decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment.
• Maximum opportunity to act independently.
• Ability to commit the organization’s actions and resources in a way that affects public image.
• Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
• Broad management and leadership responsibility for administrative, professional and volunteer staff and department, including training and professional development. Establishes clear directions and sets “stretch” objectives.
• Broad financial responsibility includes setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results and developing corrective strategies as needed.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Superb communications and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including major donors, corporate executives, board members and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with influential people. Commands attention. Can change tactics midstream and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
• Leverages constructive and effective relationships with development team and leaders within the organization.
• Ability to diffuse high-tension situations comfortably and maintains composure under pressure.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends. Willingness to travel frequently and on short notice
HOW TO APPLY: For more information and to apply, please visit us at www.nature.org/careers and search for position # 40535. Please apply with cover letter and resume. Application deadline January 11, 2013.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer