Associate Director of Philanthropy
The Nature Conservancy, Minneapolis, MN, United States
What We Can Achieve Together
As the Associate Director of Philanthropy, you will join a high‑performing fundraising team focused on major and principal gifts as well as planned giving. You will build and manage a portfolio of 75‑125 qualified donors, including those capable of giving over $100,000. Your annual fundraising goal will be $750,000 or more, with a separate target for bequest/planned giving commitments. To meet these goals, you will conduct 75‑125 donor visits and 225‑375 donor moves each year. You will apply complex donor‑strategy principles, share the Conservancy’s mission and vision, and encourage flexible gifts as well as non‑cash opportunities such as planned gifts and trade lands. You will use the Conservancy’s donor database, develop funding proposals, and collaborate with our donor‑communication specialist. The position is hybrid: 2 days in our Minneapolis office and 3 days remote; the preferred candidate will be based in the Twin Cities area and will travel across Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota as needed (roughly 3–4 weeks per year) and for training opportunities.
We’re Looking For You While this position primarily supports the Minnesota‑North Dakota‑South Dakota Chapter, we partner with colleagues worldwide to implement direct asks that maximize overall giving. This role will qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor prospects in those states, focusing mainly on individuals and foundations. The ideal candidate is a collaborative self‑starter, comfortable using multiple communication channels, including telephone, to qualify and disqualify prospects.
What You’ll Bring
Bachelor’s degree and five years of related experience or an equivalent combination.
Experience building and maintaining long‑term relationships with fundraising constituents.
Experience asking for and closing gifts of $25,000 or more.
Experience managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
Experience working with cross‑functional teams.
Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in fundraising strategy development, focusing on identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors.
Demonstrated experience cultivating a pipeline of new donors.
Experience with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge).
Understanding of project budgets and incorporating that information into donor proposals.
Ability to educate donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning.
Knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, including capital campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving.
Ability to assess a donor’s interests, capacity, and potential to help the Conservancy meet its goals, and tie those interests to the Conservancy’s work.
Demonstrated skill in listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross‑cultural experience appreciated.
Proven ability to negotiate high‑profile or sensitive agreements.
Other Requirements This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with
TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy‑owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor‑vehicle record.
Salary Information The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $82,700 – 95,000. This range applies only to candidates whose country of employment is the USA; pay for candidates in other countries will be set in the local currency based on the local labor market. Geographic location will be confirmed during recruitment.
Who We Are The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science‑based organization, we create innovative, on‑the‑ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature thrive. We are rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. We offer career development, flexible schedules, and a rewarding mission for staff. Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or visit Glassdoor for insights.
What We Bring Since 1951, TNC has grown from a small nonprofit into one of the world’s most effective environmental organizations. With over 1 million members, more than 400 scientists, and diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation globally. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and other well‑being benefits.
Equal Opportunity Employer The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by leadership and contributions from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all races, color, religion, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings! TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to
applyhelp@tnc.org
with "Request for Accommodation" in the subject line.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We’re Looking For You While this position primarily supports the Minnesota‑North Dakota‑South Dakota Chapter, we partner with colleagues worldwide to implement direct asks that maximize overall giving. This role will qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor prospects in those states, focusing mainly on individuals and foundations. The ideal candidate is a collaborative self‑starter, comfortable using multiple communication channels, including telephone, to qualify and disqualify prospects.
What You’ll Bring
Bachelor’s degree and five years of related experience or an equivalent combination.
Experience building and maintaining long‑term relationships with fundraising constituents.
Experience asking for and closing gifts of $25,000 or more.
Experience managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
Experience working with cross‑functional teams.
Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in fundraising strategy development, focusing on identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors.
Demonstrated experience cultivating a pipeline of new donors.
Experience with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge).
Understanding of project budgets and incorporating that information into donor proposals.
Ability to educate donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning.
Knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, including capital campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving.
Ability to assess a donor’s interests, capacity, and potential to help the Conservancy meet its goals, and tie those interests to the Conservancy’s work.
Demonstrated skill in listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross‑cultural experience appreciated.
Proven ability to negotiate high‑profile or sensitive agreements.
Other Requirements This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with
TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy‑owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor‑vehicle record.
Salary Information The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $82,700 – 95,000. This range applies only to candidates whose country of employment is the USA; pay for candidates in other countries will be set in the local currency based on the local labor market. Geographic location will be confirmed during recruitment.
Who We Are The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science‑based organization, we create innovative, on‑the‑ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature thrive. We are rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. We offer career development, flexible schedules, and a rewarding mission for staff. Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or visit Glassdoor for insights.
What We Bring Since 1951, TNC has grown from a small nonprofit into one of the world’s most effective environmental organizations. With over 1 million members, more than 400 scientists, and diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation globally. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and other well‑being benefits.
Equal Opportunity Employer The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by leadership and contributions from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all races, color, religion, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings! TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to
applyhelp@tnc.org
with "Request for Accommodation" in the subject line.
#J-18808-Ljbffr