Job Description

This is a remote position.

Prioritizing Candidates in Colorado with a Secondary Market in Washinton DC

Who We Are 

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is a brand-new pioneering nonprofit dedicated to supporting the sustainability of our public lands and waters. Chartered by Congress and formed in 2022, we serve as the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management, working to connect the public to these special places and sustain them for present and future generations.

With co-headquarters in Grand Junction, CO, and Washington, D.C., the Foundation is poised for growth and seeks a dynamic, collaborative leader to help shape the future of America’s public lands.

What We’re Looking For  

Our strong but mighty founding team is seeking a dynamic Director of Development (DoD) to architect and drive a high-performing, multi-lane fundraising strategy. This is a role for a builder, not a steward. You’ll partner directly with executive leadership to grow our revenue across individual giving, foundations, corporate partnerships, and public grants. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working closely with the CEO, this role offers the rare opportunity to shape an institution from the ground up, backed by a congressional charter and national scope.

The ideal candidate is mission-driven, highly adaptive, and thrives in an entrepreneurial environment. If you’ve ever wanted to build a generational institution that will shape the future of our public lands, this is your chance.

What You’ll Do

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• Lead integrated fundraising across four primary revenue lanes: individual giving, foundations, corporate partnerships, and public grants, with a particular focus on corporate fundraising. 
  

• Support the development and expansion of a comprehensive annual fundraising plan, inclusive of public, private, and institutional revenue streams
  

• Develop and execute strategies to qualify, cultivate, and steward a robust pipeline of new funders, while also deepening relationships with existing donors through direct outreach, relationship-building, and ongoing stewardship
  

• Collaborate with finance and program teams to align revenue targets with budget development and project delivery
  

• Represent the Foundation in donor meetings, convenings, major events, and networking opportunities to strengthen organizational visibility
  

Requirements

What You'll Bring

• 7+ years of progressive fundraising or business development experience with a proven record of generating revenue
  

• Comfort working across all donor segments: individuals, foundations, corporations, and public agencies
  

• Experience in both resource-constrained and high-capacity environments—you know how to build from scratch with a vision of excellence
  

• Demonstrated success designing and leading high-impact donor engagement events that deepen relationships and drive revenue
  

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  

• Ability to operate with minimal support and high accountability
  

• Fluency in budget alignment, donor CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and development operations
  

• Strong alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values
  

• Proven agility in fast-paced, high-change environments—able to navigate ambiguity, solve complex challenges creatively, and deliver results without losing momentum
  

• Travel readiness (~30% of time)
  

Benefits

What Makes This Role Exciting

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the mission of sustaining America’s public lands while helping build the Foundation’s fundraising capacity. You will:

• Shape Strategy: Lead foundational strategies to grow revenue and strengthen donor engagement.
  

• Drive Impact: Play a defining role in securing resources to protect 11% of the U.S. landmass and strengthen the public's connection to nature.
  

• Collaborate and Lead: Work alongside passionate colleagues, government partners, and diverse stakeholders to ensure the success of our mission.
  

• Be a Trailblazer: Join a once-in-a-generation effort to build a national institution from the ground up, unencumbered by legacy systems or bureaucracy.
  

• Cross-Sector Reach: Engage with public, private, and philanthropic leaders across the country, from policymakers to billionaires to community organizers.
  

• Dynamic, High-Caliber Team: Collaborate with values-driven professionals committed to building a culture of trust, impact, and innovation.
  

• Autonomy & Influence: Help define fundraising strategy, donor engagement practices, and infrastructure, shaping how the organization evolves.
  

Compensation: $110,000 to $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Group medical/vision/dental benefits with 100% employer contribution for employees and 50% contribution for dependents; life insurance; 401k retirement savings plan; and generous holiday and paid time off policies.

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