Job  Board

High Country News is hiring a Director of Philanthropy to lead the fundraising efforts of our award-winning nonprofit media organization. This is a chance to help take a beloved Western institution to the next level, as we draw a broader, more diverse public into the vital conversations about the land and water, climate and conservation, and diverse human and natural communities of the Western United States.

The Director of Philanthropy is a key member of HCN's senior management team, overseeing all of the fundraising activities that support HCN’s monthly magazine, digital publishing activities, and community engagement. This position works closely with the Executive Director & Publisher, directs the Fundraising Department, collaborates with the other senior managers, and keeps the staff and board abreast of, and engaged in, fundraising efforts.

The ideal candidate has proven experience in supervising and leading teams to success;thorough understanding of a wide range of fundraising techniques;deep knowledge of the Western United States and an appreciation for the value of independent journalism;and experience advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within fundraising principles.

Duties/Outcomes

The Director of Philanthropy will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director & Publisher. Duties will include:

• Works closely with the Executive Director & Publisher (ED) to set philanthropic scope and direction, and to foster an atmosphere of collaboration, innovation and belonging
• Develops fundraising plan and sets strategic goals, including major gifts, grants, fund drives, monthly giving, planned giving, and special initiatives and campaigns
• Sets Fundraising Department goals for advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI), and develops strategies to build a funder community that reflects the diversity of the region HCN serves
• Builds and manages the Fundraising Department budget, ensuring that expenditure is effectively controlled and revenue goals are met
• Manages Fundraising Department staff, including hiring, training, setting individual performance goals and providing ongoing review and feedback that is fair and consistent, and in alignment with HCN's policies and practices
• Oversees relationships with key external contractors including Grant Writer, Direct Mail & Campaign Marketer, Salesforce Consultant and others as needed
• Attends senior manager and board meetings, and reports regularly to the senior management team and board on Fundraising Department activities and progress
• Oversees direction of fundraising-related mailings, email and social media appeals, website and magazine ads, online donation pages, fact sheets and acknowledgement letters, working collaboratively with the ED, Marketing and Production teams
• Represents HCN’s mission, vision, impact and commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion to members of the staff, HCN’s community of readers and funders, and other stakeholders
• Manages a portfolio of major donors and cultivates relationships through personal correspondence and visits, both alone and with the ED, board members, and members of the Fundraising and Editorial staffs
• Guides the fundraising activities of the Executive Director
• Supports the Board Fundraising Committee Chair in cultivating donor relationships with board members, and solicits them for annual gifts
• Maintains Fundraising Department handbook detailing practices, workflows and gift acceptance guidelines, with input and collaboration from Fundraising staff and Board Fundraising Committee
• Works with Fundraising, Product & Marketing and Customer Service teams to ensure that HCN's donor records and data tracking are accurate and up to date
• Works in partnership with team members and other departments to oversee donor event planning
• Works with the Editorial team to ensure program information for donor and foundation pitches and reports is clear and in alignment with program requirements
• Ensures that HCN’s nonprofit listings and registrations are up to date 

High Country News is working to address a historic lack of representation, inclusion and equity in journalism with effective solutions. We welcome applicants from all life experiences and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including Indigenous people, people of color, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, two spirit and non-binary people.

Skills and Experience

We’re most interested in hearing how your own skills, broader experience and qualifications would enhance the role and benefit HCN and the communities we serve and hope to serve across the West. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about the mission and values of HCN, and driven to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in journalism and in working practices and company cultures.

The ideal candidate has deep understanding of, and passion for, HCN's mission and values;exceptional written and verbal communication skills;the ability to engage diverse internal and external audiences, including staff and board members, and new and longtime supporters;strong organizational skills and the ability to monitor and control budgets;and thorough knowledge of a wide range of fundraising techniques.

Compensation and general terms

This is a full-time, exempt position with employer-funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits; paid vacation leave starting at 12 days a year plus 11 HCN paid holiday days each year; paid sick and family leave benefits;“TK Time” - one paid half-day off per month that does not accrue; a monthly remote work stipend and IT start-up stipend;401k retirement plan with employer match contribution; and a salary in the range of $90,759 to $95,801 annual equivalent, dependent on skills and experience.

This is a remote working role. Candidates must reside in, or be willing to move to, one of the Western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. It is preferred that candidates have access to a major airport and be able to travel to meet with donors in person and attend occasional events in the Intermountain West or West Coast. This position is eligible for relocation expenses.

To Apply, please send a résumé, cover letter, and two (2) writing samples (*see instructions below) to careers@hcn.org with "Director of Philanthropy" in the subject line. Your cover letter should include any personal experience or qualifications you may have, and how you’d advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion through the work. Closing date for applications is March 31, 2024. In your email, please let us know how you heard about the position.

*We’ve found that it’s helpful to look at actual work samples to get a better sense of your written communication skills and style. Please share 2 pieces of your writing that will help to give us that sense. One should be a mass appeal to a membership base asking for financial support, and one should be a letter to an individual donor or funder making a case for support. We’ll keep anything that you share with us confidential. Please redact names or other details to keep information private.

High Country News is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion among our staff, volunteers, programs, and partners;and to creating a safe, supportive and accommodating work community. HCN is an equal opportunity employers and prohibits the unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Background

High Country News is the nation's leading independent source of thoughtful, in-depth reporting on the Western United States. Established in 1970, HCN produces an award-winning monthly magazine and a popular website, along with email newsletters and events. From Alaska and the Northern Rockies to the Desert Southwest, from the Great Plains to the West Coast, HCN is a beloved and essential resource for those who care about this region. HCN is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to inform and inspire people to act on behalf of the West's diverse natural and human communities.