Director of Foundation Relations

~ The mission of Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is to protect New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. ~

CLF uses the law, science and the market to create solutions that preserve our natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy. For 50 years, CLF has taken on powerful opponents who would pollute our air and water and squander our resources. Their deep local knowledge, legal acumen, and policy expertise makes CLF a prime mover in building our clean energy future, countering climate change, and safeguarding our communities.

For more information on CLF, please visit our website.  

Position Overview  

Conservation Law Foundation is currently seeking a skilled Director of Foundation Relations to oversee the Foundation Relations program.  

Candidate Profile 

CLF is seeking an experienced development professional to lead its foundation program. The successful candidate will join an eight-member development team that is charged with raising $6.9M for FY17; the organization expects $4.7M to come from foundation grants.

The Director will work closely with CLF’s State and Program Directors across New England, as well as executive leadership. This full-time position reports to the Vice President for Development and is based in Boston, MA. 

Responsibilities  

Responsibilities of the Foundation Relations Director include, but are not limited to the following:

Fundraising

• Oversee and ensure achievement of annual and multi-year foundation fundraising goals;
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for current and prospective foundation donors, working collaboratively with Program Directors and State Advocacy Center Directors;
• Maintain and continue to develop relationships with existing foundation contacts through regular communication and visits;
• Conduct on-going research to identify potential new funders and develop strategies for cultivating relationships and obtaining funding from them; and
• Support efforts to enhance and expand existing program and advocacy center work to create opportunities for new funding.

Planning & Management

• Prepare briefing reports for President, Program and State Directors, and other relevant staff in advance of foundation visits; lead briefing and strategy sessions;
• Prepare foundation proposals and reports, working in close collaboration with CLF Program and Advocacy Center Directors;
• Ensure communication flow among program and advocacy center staff, development staff, and board members so that everyone has the information and support they need to forge and maintain productive foundation relationships;
• Supervise the tracking of foundation fundraising plans and assignments, working with relevant development staff in the process;
• Work with development and finance department staff to ensure that there is a shared system for the accurate and timely tracking, monitoring and reporting of foundation monies raised;
• Work to ensure close coordination between foundation fundraising and individual giving; and
• Collaborate with the rest of the Development department, Finance, Communications and Board Development Committees on fundraising and membership development.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following personal competencies, qualities and characteristics:

• The Director of Foundation Relations must be passionate about the issue of protecting New England’s environment for the benefit of all people;
• A Bachelor’s degree is required; the idea candidate will have a minimum of at least 8 years of professional development experience with increasing responsibility working directly with foundations, and grant writing experience;
• Experience with an advocacy organization is a plus, but not required;
• Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, ability to create and implement organizational systems;
• Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives in a deadline-driven environment; and
• Team player and leadership ability expected; s/he must have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Compensation: Compensation will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience, and includes a competitive benefits package.  The position is a full-time, exempt position. 

To Apply 

• Liz Lombard and Shavon Bell of Koya Leadership Partners have been exclusively retained for this search.
• To express your interest in this role please click below: "Apply Here!" to submit your materials. 
• All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

About Koya Leadership Partners: 

Koya Leadership Partners is a nationally retained executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and social enterprises.

We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations and ensuring that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them. Click here for more information about Koya Leadership Partners.  

~ Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders-in state houses, court houses and board rooms, regulatory hearings and community gatherings-to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region.

To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and also communities that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation and frequently have access to fewer environmental benefits. CLF is committed to representing New England's diversity in their staff, volunteers, boards and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive. People of color are encouraged to apply. ~