Foundations Officer II

Earthjustice•San Francisco, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer. Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. Earthjustice Action is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization founded to defend and strengthen bedrock environmental laws and ensure they remain intact and enforceable. The Foundations Officer II (Officer II) is an integral part of the foundation relations team, which raises approximately one-quarter of Earthjustice’s contributed revenue annually. The fundraisers on the team are supported by functional experts on other teams across the department, including writers, engagement strategists, researchers, analysts, and systems/operations personnel. The Officer II is an externally facing role focused on raising grant support for both Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action [(c)(4)] — managing a portfolio of current and prospective high-profile foundation donors. The Officer II takes an entrepreneurial approach by actively identifying and pursuing new donor opportunities, strategically leveraging relationships, and expanding Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action's institutional funding base by acting as a connector, initiator, and advocate both internally and externally. Reporting to a Senior Associate Director, the Officer II excels at collaboration, working closely with attorneys, communications and policy staff, and development colleagues to design and implement strategies that advance revenue goals. The Officer II may also partner with senior leaders on Earthjustice and Earthjustice Actions' program teams and the vice president of development, with the guidance of the team leadership, to advance fundraising strategies. This is a non-supervisory position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
6+ years of successful experience in foundation fundraising and 3+ years of experience managing complex funder relationships and cultivating high-capacity funders.
A valid driver’s license required.
Experience managing complex $300k and above grants and building expansive funding partnerships.
Ability to synthesize complex material, to translate it into readable, engaging, and persuasive prose, and to communicate it clearly and succinctly to various stakeholders.
Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to build and interpret program budgets and financial reports.
Ability to prioritize and to manage work independently; ability to perform effectively and with minimal supervision under pressure of multiple deadlines.
Ability to work constructively as a member of a team; bring and foster a collaborative spirit.
Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.

Responsibilities

Manage portfolio of current and prospective supporters capable of giving mid-to-high six figures and low seven figure foundation grants, targeting a minimum of $2 - $4 million annually toward the team’s cash goal.
Implement custom stewardship plans for current donors, including managing grant proposals, reporting deadlines, timely acknowledgements, and other deliverables; and identifying and developing opportunities for personal engagement between foundation contacts and staff and trustees/board members, such as one-to-one meetings, event invitations, and program update briefings.
Ensure growth of donor base and increased giving by identifying, researching, and cultivating potential sources of foundation support in partnership with prospect management team and by developing strong relationships between funders and our leadership and program teams.
Maintain active engagement with funders across the philanthropic sector by monitoring trends, attending conferences, and regularly reaching out to contacts.
Follow issues related to Earthjustice litigation and remain conversant in the work of assigned Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action programs. This includes reading all relevant legal matters, board books, news and communications generated by Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action, and news from external sources.
Develop a working knowledge of Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action's current and past accomplishments and current programs and budgets.
Develop strong relationships with key program staff and leadership to maintain timely updates on program changes and to support cultivation and stewardship with funders, including attending program meetings as necessary.
In coordination with program and finance staff, and occasionally with external partners, assist with the development of budgets and financial reports, informing the process with donor expectations and knowledge of relevant cases in the database.
Keep team leadership and program staff and leadership abreast of grant-related budget commitments.
Participate in the foundation revenue budget process – including estimates for the multi-year and annual budgets as well as periodic reforecasts and updates.
Develop and implement an individual work plan to meet revenue goals.
Adhere to Foundations team’s data entry protocols to ensure accurate revenue and relationship tracking and data hygiene.
Attend departmental and organizational retreats for shared planning, team building, and professional development.
Actively pursue professional development and contribute to a culture of learning by building skills and sharing knowledge.