National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an exempt, full-time position for the Chief Advancement Officer. In the face of changing weather patterns, declining forest health, growth in visitation, budgetary restraints at the US Forest Service (USFS), and aging recreation infrastructure, philanthropic support for national forests is increasingly important and vital. The scale and complexity of these challenges necessitate a new way forward — a path that requires leadership, partnership, innovation, and philanthropy.
About the NFF: As the official national partner to the USFS, the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993 and today, advances forest resiliency, clean watersheds, and recreation for all. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, seeking ambitious strategies to advance and prepare national forests and grasslands for the future.
Position Function: Amid a favorable organizational backdrop replete with an inspiring mission and an ascendant track record of success, NFF seeks candidates for the role of Chief Advancement Officer. NFF currently has four separate teams under different leadership that raise philanthropic support with varying approaches. The Chief Advancement Officer is a new position, designed to advance NFF’s philanthropic efforts in a unified manner.
Position Duties and Responsibilities: Reporting directly to the President & CEO and working in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Advancement Officer will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for fundraising from individuals, corporations, institutional foundations, and local/state government. The Chief Advancement Officer will develop, implement, and lead all future fundraising campaigns.
The successful candidate will serve as the lead executive responsible for maintaining and growing NFF’s base of support from private and local/state sources while building a major and leadership gifts-focused fundraising culture that is seamlessly integrated into the organization’s programmatic and marketing initiatives. As a thought leader in the organization, this position serves an important role, integrating the philanthropic strategy and fostering close strategic relationships with key donors, board members, and critical stakeholders. This individual must be an innovative thinker with the organizational acumen, management, and leadership skills necessary to strategically lead the organization through its next chapter of growth.
The Chief Advancement Officer oversees a philanthropic revenue target of $25M-30M (with a desire to grow this number to $70M-$75M in the coming years) and a total staff of 13 current individuals through a team of four direct reports (with a desire to double staff size as appropriate). The Chief Advancement Officer will hold a portfolio of roughly 40-60 individuals.
The successful candidate will have outstanding interpersonal skills, be a skilled communicator, and be a natural relationship builder. This individual will have the ability to build, manage, lead, influence, and sustain a multi-dimensional team in a diverse work environment. They will have a proven track record of success closing leadership gifts, partnering with the President & CEO and Chief Conservation Officer to cultivate and solicit new prospects, and building a network of philanthropists. The next leader will be visionary, well-organized, creative, and patient. They will embody the spirit of a collaborative communicator and empower their team to deliver superior results while leading through partnerships and collaboration.
Location: The location for this position is flexible throughout the lower 48 states in close proximity to a major airport. This position is a remote/work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace.
Compensation: The NFF offers competitive compensation and benefits and has recently implemented a new compensation program as part of its commitment to transparency. The salary range for this position starts at $230,000. NFF is committed to internal salary equity.
Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Chief Advancement Officer to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:
Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Chief Advancement Officer to possess the following abilities and skills:
To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and a resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Please apply by February 28, 2025. Please visit our careers site to apply online.
The National Forest Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We believe that a wide range of perspectives strengthens our organization and aligns with our dedication to creating and maintaining a resilient National Forest system that is as rich in diversity as the communities where we live and work. This vision embraces all peoples and perspectives, including but not limited to those from Indigenous populations, communities of color, women and persons who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities and veterans. www.nationalforests.org
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