Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 53 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
To advance our mission, the National Wildlife Federation seeks a Foundation Relations Officer with strong interpersonal, collaborative, written and verbal communications skills—as well as demonstrated abilities to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Reporting to the AVP of Institutional Giving, the Officer will join a high-performing and accomplished team that is working to grow and diversify institutional funding. This is an exciting time of growth at the National Wildlife Federation. This role is ideal for a deadline-driven, well-organized, adaptable, and entrepreneurial self-starter who seeks opportunities to leverage professional talents and expertise to contribute meaningfully toward accomplishing the Federation’s ambitious conservation agenda.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES
- Collaborate and work in concert with colleagues to implement a donor-centered foundation relations program aimed at securing significant financial support for a range of conservation and education programs.
- Actively manage a portfolio of institutional funders, delivering on all aspects of relationship management and funder engagement.
- Develop and implement engagement strategies designed to substantially increase support from existing funders, while dedicating sufficient time to identify, qualify, and begin building relationships with new funders and partners.
- Research giving interests of institutional funders, and stay abreast of philanthropic trends and recent institutional giving, particularly for assigned funders.
- Identify new opportunities for funding that align with National Wildlife Federation’s cross-cutting programs through prospect research, working closely with philanthropy and foundation team research staff.
- Work closely with the Federation’s Institutional Relations team, program staff, and leadership to drive fundraising strategy to support program expansion.
- Prepare funding materials, including but not limited to proposals, letters of inquiry, grant reports, agreements, emails, presentations, and acknowledgment letters. This includes drafting original content, editing, and formatting as needed.
- Assist with planning and executing meetings with institutional funders; research and draft briefings for staff executive leadership in advance of meetings; and prepare senior staff for funder meetings and phone calls.
- Partner with National Wildlife Federation program staff to cultivate relationships with both current and prospective donors, and support institutional fundraising on the part of the Federation’s leadership.
- Track grant requirements and deadlines, as well as funder contacts.
- Liaise with program, program operations, and finance staff to monitor grant spending.
- Perform other duties as assigned or needed to move forward National Wildlife Federation’s foundation relations portfolio.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is required. Advanced degree is desirable.
- At least 3-5 years of foundation relations experience or comparable work with foundations.
- Experience managing a seven-figure portfolio of foundation donors, and managing relationships with both foundation program officers and internal colleagues to help advance successful fundraising efforts and relationship building.
- Experience writing foundation grant proposals and reports, as well as reviewing budgets and financial reports.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to adapt as needed to evolving programmatic priorities and timely funding opportunities.
- Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and prospect research skills.
- Solid interpersonal skills.
- Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
- Knowledge of Microsoft CRM database is desirable.
- Ability to work additional hours as needed to meet deadlines and manage workflow.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES
- Consistently brings a high level of empathy and interpersonal skills to work and social interactions.
- Exhibits a responsible and respectful demeanor with colleagues and partners.
- Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
- Committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement.
- Commitment to and strong skills related to leadership, strategy development, fundraising, and personnel management.
- Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission.
NWF VALUES
Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:
- Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
- Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
- Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
- Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
- Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work, and;
- Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission.
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This position will be expected to travel around 3-5 times per year to engage in-person with National Wildlife Federation teams working across the U.S., and to meet with funders (approximately 2-3 nights per trip).
LOCATION AND WORK MODE
This position will work remotely, although some travel throughout the year is expected.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience.
We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.
We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:
- Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
- We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
- Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
- Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
- Therapist available at no cost
- Pet insurance and discount perk program
- Annual wellbeing allowance
In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:
- Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
- Annual year end retirement contribution
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
- Pet adoption stipend
- Student Loan management
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
APPLICATION
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.
For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.
Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at [email protected] or 703-438-6244.
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.