Join Conservation Lands Foundation as Senior Director of Major Gifts | Apply by 20 May 2026
The Conservation Lands Foundation (Conservation Lands Foundation) is recruiting a Senior Director of Major Gifts to lead high-level fundraising efforts that support the protection of public lands across the United States. This is a senior remote role with travel requirements, designed for experienced fundraising professionals with a strong track record in major donor engagement.
The position plays a central role in sustaining the organization’s mission to conserve and expand National Conservation Lands through strategic donor relationships and revenue growth.
About the Conservation Lands Foundation
The Conservation Lands Foundation (Conservation Lands Foundation) is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting public lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The organization works with a network of grassroots partners across the Western United States to protect more than 38 million acres of:
- National Monuments
- Wilderness Areas
- Wild and Scenic Rivers
- Cultural and ecological landscapes
Its mission is rooted in community-led conservation, advocacy, and long-term stewardship of public lands.
Overview of the Senior Director of Major Gifts Role
The Senior Director of Major Gifts is a high-impact leadership position responsible for expanding and strengthening the organization’s major donor program. The role focuses on building long-term financial sustainability for an annual budget of approximately $8.5 million.
This is a full-time remote position within the United States, with expected travel approximately once per month.
Key responsibilities include:
- Building and managing a major donor pipeline
- Securing five- to six-figure gifts
- Re-engaging lapsed donors and prospects
- Leading strategic donor cultivation efforts
- Collaborating with leadership and board members
Major Gifts Fundraising and Donor Development
A core focus of the role is developing and executing strategies to grow the organization’s major gifts portfolio.
Pipeline Development
The Senior Director is expected to:
- Identify new donors giving $25K+ annually
- Cultivate family foundations and high-net-worth individuals
- Re-engage previously inactive supporters
- Develop multi-year giving commitments
Portfolio Management
The role includes managing a portfolio of approximately 50–75 donors and prospects. Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining strong donor relationships
- Creating personalized engagement strategies
- Tracking donor progress and engagement history
- Collaborating on high-value donor relationships ($100K+)
Revenue Growth and Strategic Fundraising
The position plays a direct role in achieving fundraising targets and supporting long-term organizational sustainability.
Key expectations include:
- Contributing to major revenue goals exceeding $1.5M per portfolio
- Supporting annual fundraising strategy development
- Maintaining a structured donor pipeline
- Ensuring consistent follow-up and donor engagement
The role requires a balance of strategic planning and hands-on donor interaction.
Donor Engagement and Relationship Building
The Senior Director is responsible for deepening relationships with donors through personalized and strategic engagement.
Activities include:
- Hosting small donor gatherings and events
- Designing tailored donor engagement plans
- Aligning donor interests with conservation priorities
- Strengthening long-term donor trust and loyalty
These efforts are central to building sustainable philanthropic support for public lands protection.
Collaboration and Organizational Leadership
The role involves close collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.
Internal Collaboration
The Senior Director works closely with:
- Executive leadership
- Development teams
- Program staff
- Board members
This ensures alignment between fundraising strategies and conservation priorities.
Strategic Partnerships
The role also involves leveraging organizational networks to:
- Identify new funding opportunities
- Strengthen donor relationships through leadership engagement
- Align program impact with donor interests
Required Experience and Skills
This is a senior-level position requiring significant fundraising experience and proven success in major gifts development.
Essential Qualifications
- At least 7 years of progressive fundraising experience
- Proven success securing five- and six-figure donations
- Strong donor cultivation and solicitation skills
- Experience managing complex donor portfolios
- Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Little Green Light)
Additional Requirements
- Strong organizational and strategic planning skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities independently
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
- Willingness to travel approximately once per month
- Passion for conservation or environmental protection
Compensation and Benefits
The Senior Director of Major Gifts role offers a competitive compensation package, including:
- Salary range of $100,000 – $120,000
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer contributions
- Generous paid time off
- Flexible spending or health savings accounts
- Life and disability insurance
These benefits reflect the seniority and strategic importance of the role within the organization.
Application Process
Applicants must submit their materials via email to:
Required documents include:
- A one-page cover letter
- A detailed resume (combined into a single PDF)
The subject line and file name must follow specified formatting instructions. The application deadline is 20 May 2026.
Why This Role Matters
The Conservation Lands Foundation (Conservation Lands Foundation) plays a critical role in protecting some of the most ecologically and culturally significant landscapes in the United States.
This leadership role directly contributes to:
- Long-term conservation funding
- Expansion of protected public lands
- Strengthening grassroots environmental advocacy
- Supporting community-led conservation efforts
Final Thoughts
The Senior Director of Major Gifts position represents a high-impact opportunity for experienced fundraising professionals who are passionate about conservation. By leading major donor strategy, the role ensures long-term financial stability for efforts to protect public lands across the United States.
For senior development professionals seeking meaningful leadership work in the nonprofit sector, this remote role offers both strategic influence and environmental impact.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this internship. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
