Director of Philanthropy

The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV), a 501(c)4 organization, works to protect and enhance the environment and the health of all California communities by electing environmental champions, advancing critical priorities, and holding policymakers accountable. For more information, please visit www.ecovote.org.

CLCV Education Fund, CLCV’s 501(c)3 sister organization, protects California’s natural resources and improves the health of our communities. For more information, please visit www.clcvedfund.org.

The work of CLCV and CLCV Ed Fund to protect and advocate for the environment is rooted in our commitment to racial, social, and environmental justice. Engaging communities of color among other key constituencies for the environment is an organizational priority. Within the organization, we aim to create a workplace culture and policies and practices that demonstrate how we value equity and inclusion.

DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a Director of Philanthropy for an exciting opportunity on the leadership team of one of the nation’s leading statewide grassroots environmental political action organizations. This important role will lead our efforts to build on a 50-year history of donors supporting California’s environmental leadership, climate change, clean energy, environmental justice and protecting our state’s exceptional natural resources.

This position calls for a fundraising expert with a demonstrated ability to raise $3 million in combined funding for the 501(c)3 and (c)4 organizations. The candidate must be a dynamic individual with exceptional leadership and staff management skills. This person should be comfortable building a stable and growing funding base of individuals, foundations, corporate supporters, and nonprofit partners through major gifts, membership, fundraising events, planned gifts, and grants. The Director of Philanthropy will define annual revenue goals for major donors and membership, work with the CEO and Board in achieving those fundraising goals, manage revenue and cash reporting, increase donor engagement, and steward long-term supporters. 

In addition, the Director of Philanthropy will lead a strong Major Gifts program, developing strategic and targeted giving opportunities to inspire major donors towards increased giving in support of the CLCV mission, and working closely with the Development and Communications teams to acquire new members and build a robust major donor pipeline. The Director of Philanthropy will partner with the CEO, Political Director, Board, and Green Advisory Council to manage, cultivate, steward, and solicit an active portfolio of approximately 200 donors and prospective donors who give, or have the potential to give, $5,000 or more.

The Director of Philanthropy will supervise three fundraising and development operations staff based in Oakland and Los Angeles and will work closely with the CEO and other executive team members.

OPPORTUNITY: 

California leads the world as the largest economy to innovate, invest in, and regulate environmental progress – it is not an overstatement that we bear the brunt of the responsibility to protect the future.  This is a remarkable opportunity for an experienced and dynamic Development leader to have significant impact on the environment and advocacy within the California progressive community.  At CLCV, you will have the opportunity to serve a mission you’re passionate about as you contribute to our long-term vision. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Secure 501(c)3 and (c)4 and PAC annual revenue goal of $3M (combined), with projected growth each year; develop realistic budgets; project cash flow; and report on revenue.
• Supervise three staff involved in individual giving, development operations, and events, as well as vendors/consultants assisting with grants and membership. Mentor a major gifts officer in building his/her fundraising skills.
• Work closely with the CEO and Director of Finance to track revenue. Manage all major donor solicitations so that gifts budgeted are received within the period expected.
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors who give $1,500+. Manage portfolio of high-level donors and prospects. Create stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation strategies; engage key Board and staff, as appropriate, in donor relationships.
• Coordinate donor meetings by the CEO and Political Director, who will each serve as primary contact for a small portfolio of donors giving $10,000+.
• Fully engage members of the CLCV and CLCV Ed Fund Boards in fundraising and networking activities. Serve as liaison to the Development Chair and Committee, and provide all Board members with the tools, knowledge and personal interaction to become active partners in achieving development goals.
• Oversee daily operations of the development team. Inspire best effort, ownership and accountability in peers and direct reports.
• Supervise the Major Gifts Officer to: engage pipeline major donors giving $500-$5,000/year; plan and implement gala and cultivation and stewardship events each year; create other programs to steward donors and attract new prospects; and track fundraising metrics, including donor contacts, meetings and solicitations. 
• Supervise the Development Operations staff to ensure prompt, accurate entry of gift and donor activity in Raiser’s Edge and prompt gift acknowledgment, coordinate lists for membership appeals, and create accurate reports that inform and prioritize fundraising activities for donor acquisition, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Supervise grants management process for timely submission of grants, reports and other documents to assure compliance and good relationships with agencies and foundations. Build a robust pipeline of grants for the 501(c)3 CLCV Ed Fund. Work closely with the Ed Fund staff to gather content for proposals and reports.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and Communications team on creating fundraising collateral materials, and other print and online publications designed to support fundraising efforts and activities within the goals of the strategic plan.
• Collaborate with the Communications Director in designing and implementing digital and online fundraising and membership growth strategies.
• Regularly evaluate internal systems and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness. Ensure that the department complies with all relevant policies and regulations set forth by the IRS, Board and CEO.
• Build a culture for philanthropy, internally and externally, that will attract staff, board members and donors to the organization, and inspire excellence in donor relations and fundraising.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Minimum five to eight years’ nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated mastery of a wide range of donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Demonstrated successes in major gift fundraising, event planning, membership, donor communications, and staff management.
• Success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors for 6-figure gifts.

• Demonstrated success managing and motivating a team towards the completion of fundraising goals and activities as outlined in a strategic plan and/or annual work plans.

• Superior interpersonal, oral and written communication, and presentation and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent CLCV’s mission and interests to a diverse group of individuals and audiences.
• High energy, results-oriented leader with personal initiative and a sense of humor. Friendly, outgoing and collaborative approach to foster a strong team-oriented style.
• Exceptional project management skills, including prioritizing, designing, implementing and tracking multiple campaigns and programs.
• Excellent problem solving, research, and analytical skills. Agile and able to work in a fast-paced and, sometimes unpredictable, environment.
• Knowledge of database management systems and moves management principles, including Raiser's Edge or similar software.
• Personal passion for preserving and protecting our state’s natural resources with a belief in the mission, principles, and values of CLCV’s approach to conservation and political advocacy.
• Unquestioned integrity, professional demeanor and authenticity in building relationships with, and inspiring best effort from, staff, donors and partners.
• Willingness to travel, mostly within California, and to work evening events.
• Bachelor's degree or comparable experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with political advocacy, 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations, and political action committees.
• Experience managing remote staff. (CLCV Development staff work in Los Angeles and Oakland.)
• Demonstrated success in working with Boards and committees.
• Flexibility and creativity to capitalize on donor messaging opportunities in an ever-changing political climate.

TO APPLY:

CLCV/CLCVEF has retained the services of ThinkingAhead Executive Search.  Please send your resume and expression of interest to Chris Spagnola, Senior Recruiter, at cspagnola@thinkingahead.com and Jessica Martinez, Senior Recruiter, at jmartinez@thinkingahead.com.

The California League of Conservation Voters and CLCV Education Fund are committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.