Washington, D.C.

The Organization

The Wilderness Society (TWS) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We believe public lands belong to and should benefit all of us. We strive to ensure our organization and work embodies the cultures and perspectives of people and communities across our nation, and connects and inspires people to care about the outdoors.

Position Overview

The Wilderness Society (TWS) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We believe public lands belong to and should benefit all of us. We strive to ensure our organization and work embodies the cultures and perspectives of people and communities across our nation, and connects and inspires people to care about the outdoors.

The Foundation Relations Officer is part of a four-person team whose objective is to secure funding from foundation and corporate donors. Reporting to the Senior Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, the Officer will manage a portfolio of foundation grants. By managing funder relationships and providing writing and editing support to Conservation staff, this position will attract funding for The Wilderness Society’s work. She/he will also manage grant administration for the entire Foundation and Corporate Relations team.

This position plays an important role in supporting an inclusive organizational culture that is grounded in trust and accountability to shared goals and outcomes. TWS has made diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities for the organization and the Foundations Relations Officer will integrate these priorities throughout our Philanthropy work. Across our team, we aspire to be campaign oriented, nimble, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.

**This position is located in our DC office. Relocation assistance is not available**

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages foundation fundraising for approximately five regional conservation programs. This involves overseeing approximately 45 foundation accounts totaling more than $2 million in revenue.
• Identifies funding opportunities and develops strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of foundation donors and prospects in collaboration with the Senior Director of Foundation Relations, program staff, and other Philanthropy staff
• Works with conservation staff to identify how to “package” multiple campaigns/projects into large, multi-year grants.
• Writes, edits and proofreads grant proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, reports, and acknowledgement letters for foundation donors to meet revenue targets.
• Prepares financial information including budgets and financial reports, in collaboration with program and finance staff.
• Prepares talking points and other meeting preparation materials for staff making face-to- face visits. Meet with foundation program officers both alone and with conservation staff.
• Oversees grant agreement administration (work with President’s Office to get agreements signed, save documents, record deadlines in the database, record information on grant restrictions for Finance and Foundations team).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years’ professional experience including three years in a fundraising setting and minimum two years working with foundation or corporate donors.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills.Ability to understand, interpret, and synthesize complex programmatic information. Ability to compose and edit a variety of correspondence, tailoring messages and communication style to the audience.
• Excellent attention to detail and quality control on all documents produced and administrative work undertaken.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with strong detail orientation and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage multiple demands and deadlines from multiple sources.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and handle a large volume of work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with internal and external constituents at all levels of authority.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with donor database systems (Team Approach preferred).
• Highly resourceful team player with an ability to work independently.
• Track record working successfully in teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives—across race and gender.

The Wilderness Society offers a very competitive salary and benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; sick and vacation leave; and a retirement plan. TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, veteran status or sexual orientation