The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC), based in Saranac Lake, New York, is seeking a highly motivated, experienced, and detail-oriented full-time Philanthropy Director to join our enthusiastic team. The Philanthropy Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Philanthropy Committee to plan, implement, and oversee the fundraising activities of the ACLC. The Philanthropy Director will be responsible for maintaining and expanding private donor support and foundation funding, and developing new partnerships in and beyond the Adirondack Park to increase delivery of the Center’s mission.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a development program for a unique wildlife conservation organization in a wonderful and expansive area of New York.

The Philanthropy Director will perform a variety of skilled administrative and clerical duties related to the ACLC’s philanthropic and fundraising activities under the direction of the Executive Director and with guidance from the ACLC Philanthropy Committee, including, but not limited to:

• Developing and implementing the ACLC’s annual fundraising plan and calendar;
• Maintaining the ACLC’s compliance with state charity registration regulations;
• Developing effective working relationships with donors, volunteers, government and foundation representatives and others to nurture their connection to the ACLC;
• Overseeing all aspects of prospect research and cultivation, donor relations, engagement, and stewardship of ACLC’s donors;
• Research and develop cultivation plans for major gifts;
• Maintenance of the ACLC’s donor database;
• Assisting with the development and execution of the ACLC’s annual appeal, special appeals, and membership appeals, and special fundraising events,
• Gift and donation acknowledgement;
• Expanding the ACLC’s Adirondack Loon Legacy Society (planned giving program) and gifts of stock and other assets;
• Solicit corporate and business sponsorships for ACLC’s research and education projects;
• Produce essential research and content in support of ACLC’s grant application strategy, including preparation of letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports, and developing and maintaining an institutional donor tracking system;
• Producing reports to provide analysis on all aspects of gift receipt and donor relations;
• Help develop and implement an annual communications plan; and
• Serve as a responsible, articulate spokesperson for ACLC in all professional situations.

Qualifications: Our ideal candidate will be friendly, social, outgoing, positive, passionate, cool under pressure, detail and deadline oriented, a quick learner, multi-tasker, have a great sense of humor, and willing to do what needs to be done to make things happen. If you are happy to leap in and get your hands dirty, and don’t know the meaning of “not my job,” then we are looking for you!

Additionally, you should: (1) possess superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and organizational skills; (2) have excellent time management skills with the ability to work swiftly, accurately, and independently in a fast paced environment, juggling multiple projects simultaneously with the ability to prioritize; (3) display resourcefulness and independence; (4) be capable of maintaining a high level of confidentiality and discretion; (5) have expertise with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, and donor database software and maintenance; (6) have the ability to work as a team player, work with multiple constituencies, and mentor volunteers and interns; and (7) be genuinely excited and enthusiastic about learning and pushing technical limits/finding new solutions.  

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or Communications
• Minimum of three years’ experience in philanthropy, fundraising, and grant writing for a nonprofit organization, or equivalent education and experience, with a successful record of achievement in personally cultivating and securing major and/or planned gifts.
• Proven capacity to formulate and implement fundraising strategies
• Familiarity with environmental/conservation fundraising and New York's Adirondack Park a plus
• Demonstrated ability to interact with a variety of people. 
• Demonstrated competency in computer applications, including all Microsoft Office products, donor database software, the internet, and e-mail.
• Prior experience with estate planning and major gift solicitation from a legal, accounting, tax and/or financial planning perspective a plus.
• A valid driver's license or access to personal transportation (with proof of insurance) for travel; if required.
• Some travel and the flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for ACLC events, required, particularly during the summer.
• Flexibility to work occasional days and weekends for the ACLC’s retail store when needed.

This is a stimulating position, and is best suited for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who wishes to grow professionally.

Start Date: January 2025, or when position is filled

The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is an equal opportunity employer, and actively encourages candidates with diverse backgrounds to apply. It does not discriminate against any candidate or employee based on race, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or veteran status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.