Salary: $70,000 - $80,000
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Columbia Gorge or Portland, OR Area
Status: Exempt
Supervisor: Director of Philanthropy
Effective Date: March 2025

BACKGROUND
Since its founding in 1980, Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Friends) has been one of the most influential and effective conservation organizations in the Pacific Northwest. We are the only group dedicated, exclusively, to preserving, protecting, and stewarding the Gorge’s scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources. For over four decades, we have successfully advocated to protect the Gorge from irresponsible development. Friends Land Trust has purchased scenic and sensitive lands for long-term preservation since its inception in 2005. We work with community partners to foster a larger culture of Gorge stewardship by connecting thousands of students and volunteers to the Gorge’s wonders. With offices in Portland and Hood River, Oregon, and Washougal, Washington, the organization uses various tools (advocacy, litigation, land acquisition, and public education) to ensure the Columbia Gorge remains a wondrous and vibrant place in perpetuity.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
Building a large and diverse cross-section of major contributors across the Pacific Northwest is critical to sustaining Friends’ efforts to preserve the Columbia Gorge. Friends’ philanthropy team works to develop innovative and creative strategies to effectively educate, engage, and inspire supporters to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge.

In addition to the Philanthropy Officer, the philanthropy team includes a Philanthropy Engagement Manager, Grant Writer, Membership Coordinator, and Philanthropy and Database Coordinator, along with support from the Executive Director and Board of Directors. This is an external-facing role essential to achieving Friends’ mission and strategic goals.

Responsibilities:

• Build authentic relationships with individual donors through personalized outreach, meetings, and stewardship.
• Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects, to cultivate increased engagement and contributions over time.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Philanthropy Team, and Board Members on donor engagement strategies.
• Assist in planning and executing donor events and engagement opportunities, including Conservator Circle ($1,000 annual) and Guardians Circle ($5,000 annual) activities.
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies to ensure donor retention and satisfaction.
• Support campaigns and initiatives, including capital, endowment, and land acquisition efforts, as needed.
• Partner with team members to identify planned giving prospects and facilitate legacy discussions. 
• Work with the Communications Team to develop compelling donor materials and campaigns.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a passion for connecting with people and building relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Self-starter with a proactive approach to meeting new people and engaging donors.
• A willingness to learn and grow within the organization, with mentoring and training provided.
• Enthusiasm for the protection, preservation, and stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and incorporating them into donor engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with fundraising tools and systems (e.g., CRM software) is a plus but not required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Starting salary range is $70,000 -$80,000 annually, to commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include generous vacation time and holidays, health insurance for employees and dependents along with an employer-matched retirement plan.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
The Columbia Gorge has been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, stewarding the land and waters of this region long before European colonization and the Western idea of environmentalism. Friends is dedicated to ensuring the Columbia Gorge remains a place of wonder for generations to come. Whether it is the land, water, wildlife, people, Tribes, or communities, each is dependent upon the others for the Gorge to truly thrive. This is not possible without representing and engaging tribal as well as other diverse communities and individuals who share a connection to this special place. Read our full DEIJ statement here.

EEO POLICY
Friends is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoffs, recalls, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Full-time hybrid between office and home. Minimum of one day in the office per week and the last business day of the month. Other hours include three required Friends events, board meetings, land trust meetings, and finance committee meetings. Office is primarily desk work with a sit/stand option in an open shared desk setting, using a computer extensively, and occasional trips to the bank or investment office

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
This position requires sitting or standing at a desk, using a computer, talking on the phone, driving, hiking, and participating in outdoor activities. The ability to lift up to 30 pounds and work in various outdoor environmental conditions is also required.

ADA STATEMENT
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

APPLICATION
Friends has partnered with Nonprofit Professionals Now on this key fundraising position.

Applicants are asked to provide a resume and cover letter highlighting their fundraising experience. All applications will be considered and reviewed.

Application Deadline: February 3, 2025