SVP, Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy at American Forests

United States

$165k - $185k

Our Mission in Action American Forests is a national nonprofit conservation organization with a bold vision for restoring forests at the scale needed to address climate change, support biodiversity, and strengthen communities. Our work is driven by cutting-edge forest science, strong policy engagement, and movement-building efforts in collaboration with federal agencies, corporate partners, and local community leaders. We lead transformative, science-based initiatives across the country, from advancing Tree Equity to ensure every neighborhood has the trees needed for health, safety, and climate resilience, to restoring forest ecosystems so they can adapt to climate change, store more carbon, protect water resources, and support wildlife. This role will play a defining part in shaping how this vision is understood, embraced, and championed by the public, policymakers, corporate partners, and philanthropic leaders alike. What You’ll Do The Senior Vice President (SVP), Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy is a key member of the senior leadership team responsible for driving revenue growth, deepening strategic partnerships, building critical capital campaigns, and advancing a diversified, sustainable funding model to support American Forests’ mission and long-term strategy. Reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer, the SVP will lead American Forests' efforts in fundraising and strategic partnerships to advance its mission. This senior leadership role will oversee three core revenue verticals: Major Gifts, Institutional Philanthropy, and Capital Campaigns, to create a cohesive, high-performing team aligned around shared goals, metrics, and growth strategies. Serving as a key partner and thought leader to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Revenue Officer, the SVP will play a central role in shaping donor strategy, growing philanthropic support, advancing a culture of disciplined relationship management, designing capital campaigns, and elevating American Forests’ visibility among top-tier philanthropic networks.   The SVP will bring a bold, entrepreneurial mindset, deep passion for the work, drive for closing complex gifts, exceptional relationship instincts, and the ability to operate credibly with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, foundations, and institutional partners. They will play a central role in positioning American Forests as the partner of choice for philanthropic and institutional investors seeking to drive climate resilience, forest restoration and conservation, and equitable access to nature. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:  Strategic Leadership & Program Development * Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year revenue strategy aligned with organizational goals and growth targets  * Drive significant expansion of revenue across major donors and institutional funders * Cultivate and maintain relationships with high-net-worth individuals and institutional funders * Advance multi-year, seven- and eight-figure principal gifts, partnerships , and funding opportunities * Develop and execute a Capital Campaign strategy for the organization * Partner with the CEO and CRO to establish clear revenue targets, pipeline development strategies, and forecasting discipline  * Build systems and processes to ensure consistent donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship , and engagement * Analyze and manage fundraising campaigns to ensure they meet established targets and are executed effectively * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align philanthropic strategies with organizational priorities and initiatives. Donor Cultivation & Relationship Management * Lead strategy and execution for major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship  * Personally manage, solicit, and steward a portfolio of top-tier donors and prospects  * Partner closely with the executive team and Board of Directors on donor engagement and fundraising strategy  * Build systems and culture for high-performance major gifts fundraising, including pipeline management, moves management, and stewardship excellence * Develop and execute tailored cultivation strategies that align donor interests with American Forests’ priorities  CEO & Executive Engagement * Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in advancing top-tier donor relationships, philanthropic growth,   * Prepare the CEO for high-stakes donor interactions, including briefing materials, strategy, and follow-up  * Co-develop and execute solicitation strategies for principal gifts, including direct participation in donor meetings and asks  * Ensure strong coordination across executive leadership to present a cohesive and compelling case for support  Institutional & Complex Gifts * Oversee foundation fundraising strategy and engagement, including national, regional, place-based opportunities, and select corporate partners * Grow and strengthen relationships with key philanthropic institutions and public funders * Increase complex gifts, including multi-year commitments, restricted funding, and blended funding models , and increase multi-year flexible funding commitments * Partner with Finance and Program teams to ensure proposals are fully scoped, costed, and aligned with organizational priorities  Pipeline Development & Networking * Proactively identify, qualify, and cultivate new high-capacity donors  * Leverage personal and professional networks to open doors and expand the prospect pipeline  * Engage Board members and senior stakeholders in donor identification and relationship development  * Represent American Forests at high-level events, convenings, and donor forums What We’re Looking For While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following: * 12+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a significant focus on major and principal gifts  * Demonstrated success securing seven- and eight-figure gifts from individuals and/or institutions  * Proven ability to manage complex donor relationships and navigate sophisticated philanthropic environments  * Experience working closely with senior executives and preparing principals (CEO/Board) for donor engagement  * Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate organizational priorities into compelling funding opportunities  * High level of executive presence, judgment, and discretion  * Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills  * Experience managing multi-million-dollar accounts and fundraising targets required.  * Strong supervisory and leadership skills, with experience managing and developing a high-performing team. * Demonstrated expertise in non-profit fundraising, strategic planning, and donor relations. * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. * Experience in environmental, conservation, climate, or land-use sectors  * Familiarity with family offices, donor-advised funds, and institutional philanthropy  * Experience in a growth-stage or scaling nonprofit organization Reporting Structure This position will report to the Chief Revenue Officer.  Compensation & Benefits This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is between $165,000 – 185,000. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match.  Working Conditions This is a fully remote position based in the United States. Some travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington, D.C. may be required.  The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience. About Us American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S., working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years.  American Forests welcomes individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.  American Forests is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience. In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.