Director of Philanthropy

Location:  Remote within the continental U.S. or hybrid in Burlington, VT. 1% for the Planet is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.—no employer sponsorship offered at this time.   Benefits:

• 25 days of paid time off and 11 holidays, plus time off between December 25 and January 1
• Flexible schedule with fixed 4-day workweek plus “Flex Fridays”
• 100% of premiums covered for single or family plans for health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-funded health reimbursement account (HRA) and medical travel reimbursement
• 403(b) retirement plan with 6% employer match
• Short- and long-term disability, accident, and life insurance
• $1,000 annual employee support fund for professional development, remote work setup, and/or caregiving related to work travel
• 4 weeks paid sabbatical every 5 years of employment
• 6 months paid parental leave

The job

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Philanthropy is a Leadership Team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting 1% for the Planet. In partnership with the CEO, this position leads all fundraising and philanthropic development activities for the organization and the Planet Impact Fund. The successful candidate is responsible for annual and multi-year fundraising strategy and leads efforts to build 1% for the Planet's visibility, impact, and financial resources by cultivating individual and philanthropic support.

The Director of Philanthropy will establish and implement the infrastructure needed to resource 30%+ of the $10M+ operating budget with philanthropic dollars through soliciting major gifts, corporate, and foundation support. They will expand and diversify 1% for the Planet's donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives. In addition, the Director of Philanthropy will work closely with the CEO, who plays an active fundraising role and will support Board members as they take on a more active fundraising role.

The amount raised by 1% for the Planet is expected to increase in future years as the Director of Philanthropy systematically and effectively strengthens the organization's overall fundraising capacity. This is a unique opportunity in that the role will grow fundraising not only to support 1% for the Planet’s operations but also to grow our Planet Impact Fund meaningfully: an innovative philanthropic tool driving impact through investments and annual grants. We seek an individual who is innovative, strategic, broadly knowledgeable, and experienced in the philanthropic space—including major gift fundraising—who is eager to cultivate donor engagement and will be a collaborative leader both up and across the organization.

Key responsibilities

The Director of Philanthropy will lead 1% for the Planet’s philanthropic strategy across the
organization and the Planet Impact Fund. Specifically, they will:

• Support and partner with the CEO and senior leaders on organizational philanthropic strategy
• Lead development of the annual and multi-year operational strategy to set and meet philanthropic targets ($3.5M in 2024 and growing from there), including both increasing donor retention and expanding the donor base with new major gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of key donor relationships and make priority asks; secure transformational gifts to power impact growth.
• Work cross-collaboratively to create and implement a successful go-to-market plan for the Planet Impact Fund, attracting new and repeat donors
• Support and mentor all Development Team members to thrive and grow in their roles, and execute effectively toward philanthropic and financial strategy
• Coordinate Development Team’s donor prospect, cultivation, and stewardship work
• Work closely with the Individual and Corporate Gift Officer to engage the CEO and Board members in relevant donor relationships and activities
• Oversee research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to help position 1% for the Planet ahead of major funding changes or trends
• Monitor all donor information; provide statistical analysis to Board and senior leaders

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• 8+ years of professional experience in philanthropy; preference for additional experience in other arenas connecting capital and impact
• Demonstrated success as both a strategist and practitioner, with a strong track record of making successful asks for transformational gifts, developing revenue generation programs, and exceeding goals.
• Tangible experience of expanding and cultivating existing donor relationships over time
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight but also as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the organization
• Experience managing people and supporting them in their professional growth
• High energy and passion for 1% for the Planet's mission
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Customer focus
• A professional, resourceful, and transparent style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time