Job Details

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!

“For over 50 years, Trust for Public Land has been working tirelessly towards our vision that every individual should have close-to-home access to the benefits of nature. In today's world, our landfor-people solutions are even more relevant than ever. Quality parks and natural spaces are a fundamental requirement for sustaining healthy, equitable communities that are resilient and prepared for change. Parks and public lands connect us to each other and to the outdoors. As we enter our fifth decade, we have much to celebrate and even more promising work to pursue. We are a vibrant organization with a new CEO and a new strategic plan that builds on our success. Join us to become part of a growing and forward-thinking team focused on growing our philanthropic partnerships to ensure healthy, livable communities for generations to come.” - Patricia Watson, Chief Advancement Officer

Position Summary:
The Associate Director of Philanthropy contributes to The Trust for Public Land's annual operating and programmatic needs within the organization and the California Program. As a member of the California-based philanthropy team, the Associate Director of Philanthropy manages a mixed portfolio of individual, foundation and corporate relationships with an emphasis on individual major gift donors and prospects who are capable of gifts $100,000 or more.

Essential Functions:
70% Relationship Manager

• Meet annual fundraising metrics for the position and contribute to annual fundraising goals for the organization and the California Program.
• Identify and manage a mixed portfolio (individuals, foundations, corporations) of approximately 75-100 donors and prospects with an emphasis on individuals that have the ability to make a major gift of $100,000 or more in support of the organization's work locally, regionally, and/or nationally.
• Develop strategies and implement plans for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new donors including conducting donor visits regularly and often; making direct solicitations and closing gifts; drafting and editing solicitation letters and proposals; and coordinating and implementing donor field trips and other cultivation events as needed
• Maintain donor records in database; meet and track deadlines
• Develop a familiarity with regional work and programmatic needs, while maintaining knowledge of national organizational priorities
• Work with organizational and regional resources and team members to identify, qualify and track new prospective donors. Those teams may include Planned Giving, Prospect Research, Conservation Champions, and other Directors of Philanthropy and ADoPs.

• Work in collaboration with the Region Director of Philanthropy to streamline communications between CA program staff and philanthropy team for specific programs and/or regional areas.
• Work with Region Director of Philanthropy and State Director to sustain and grow volunteer engagement with the organization, including identifying and recruiting national board and regional advisory board members and other volunteer supporters in California, providing support and guidance for fundraising activities of key volunteers, and serving as the relationship manager for specific volunteers as assigned.

• Identify potential life-income and bequest gifts, develop cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Inform planned giving team of activities and engage Director of Planned Giving as needed.

• Minimum of five years of major gift fundraising experience, with proven track record of cultivating donors and securing major gifts through solicitations.
• Knowledge of and experience with California philanthropic community preferred Experience working with high net worth volunteers and stakeholders desired.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively as a member of a team, ensuring close coordination and integration with other staff members.
• Ability to write and edit persuasive materials, including grant proposals, reports, letters of inquiry, interim reports, stewardship materials, and program/project summaries.
• Demonstrated ability to accept and apply feedback and align with organizational decisions.
• Self-motivated; able to multi-task with excellent attention to detail and deadlines; and can perform successfully without regular supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, along with outstanding organizational skills.
• Computer proficiency with various Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with complex databases or donor management software a plus.
• High integrity and commitment to personal and professional excellence.
• Understands The Trust for Public Land's gift acceptance policies and ensures ethical compliance with fundraising best practices, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
• Ability to work flexible hours when needed, work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel
• Strong commitment to TPL's shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization. •
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience