Senior Director of Major Gifts

May 1

Conservation Lands Foundation
Flexible/Remote

Anticipated Start Date: August 26, 2026

Description

Managed by the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director of Major Gifts is a senior frontline fundraising role responsible for expanding CLF’s major gifts program and increasing overall fundraising capacity in support of the organization’s $8.5M budget. This role is focused on generating net-new funding through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new donors and upgrades, as well as re-engaging lapsed supporters.

While the Senior Director will manage a select portfolio of existing donors, success in this role will be defined by the strength of the pipeline built and the ability to drive sustained, multi-year revenue growth. The ideal candidate brings both strategic thinking and strong tactical execution. They are comfortable operating in an evolving environment, where systems and processes continue to improve, and are energized by building relationships, developing funding pathways, and closing gifts. This is a high-impact opportunity to partner closely with leadership and play a central role in shaping the future of CLF’s major gifts program.

Responsibilities

Build and Grow the Major Gifts

Pipeline Identify, cultivate, and solicit new individual donors and family foundations with the capacity to give $25K+ annually. Re-engage lapsed and underdeveloped donors and move them toward renewed investment and upgrades through personalized engagement plans. Develop and execute strategies that drive multi-year commitments and increase giving.

Portfolio Advancement and Management

Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 donors and prospects, maintaining a focus on consistent and meaningful touchpoints. Cultivate and build strong, trust-based relationships that deepen engagement and investment across the donor base. Partner closely with the CDO on top-tier prospects and donors (100k +), providing the necessary research and coordination to facilitate high-level solicitations.

Drive Revenue and Results

Contribute meaningfully to CLF’s major gifts revenue, building toward a portfolio generating $1.5M+ annually over time through disciplined stewardship and solicitation. Maintain clear next steps and consistent forward movement across the portfolio. Collaborate with the development team to ensure revenue targets are met.

Lead Strategic Donor Engagement

With support from the CDO and other members of the Development team, design and host small, targeted donor gatherings in key regions. Use in-person engagement as a core strategy for prospect development and relationship growth.

Leverage Networks and Organizational Strengths

Partner with the CDO, Board, Emeritus Board, and Leadership Circle members to open new doors and drive new donor engagement. Translate programmatic priorities into clear and compelling funding opportunities, aligned with donor interests and values.

Operate with Discipline and Ownership

Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the CRM (Little Green Light) to ensure data integrity, as well as moves management and goal tracking. Contribute to forecasting, pipeline tracking, and performance reporting, providing the CDO, CEO, and development team with clear visibility into progress. Bring a high level of ownership, activity, and follow-through to the Senior Director of Major Gifts role. Collaboration with CLF staff Partner with program and leadership staff to connect donors to CLF’s work. Support leadership engagement in donor strategy and relationship development. Participate in key organizational activities, including staff and board meetings.

Requirements

As a seasoned relationship builder, you bring the vision to architect a thriving major gifts program and the collaborative spirit to advance CLF’s mission. Qualifications may include:

7+ years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of identifying, cultivating, and securing five to six-figure gifts from individuals and/or family foundations.
Proven ability to originate new donor relationships and advance them to close. A self-motivated professional who thrives in a distributed, frontline role, with the discipline to prioritize high-potential opportunities.
Exceptional relationship management skills with a talent for designing and executing creative cultivation and solicitation strategies that deepen donor engagement over time.
Experienced in partnering with leadership and board members to advance relationships. A strategic thinker who operates with both independence and accountability, contributing to a team culture that balances high-stakes excellence with collective support and joy.
Experience building and managing a donor pipeline, including prospect research, wealth screening, and CRM use (such as little Green Light) to support and drive accurate forecasting and growth. Highly organized with a proactive approach to follow-through, ensuring consistent momentum across a complex portfolio.
Familiarity and mission alignment with conservation, climate, or public lands work. Grounded, collaborative, and aligned with a team that values both excellence and joy.
Sound judgment, discretion and, emotional intelligence. Proficiency with CRM systems and standard workplace tools. Readiness and ability to travel approximately once per month to engage with donors and represent CLF in key regions.

At the Conservation Lands Foundation, we are dedicated to building a community that centers equity and ensures the joy, healing, and beauty of public lands are accessible to everyone—regardless of identity, background, or life experience. This work is a journey that begins from within; we believe that to serve the land and its people effectively, we must first cultivate a workplace rooted in compassion, mutual respect, and a true sense of belonging.

ing this to life by nurturing a culture where our staff can show up as their full selves, allowing us to build genuine, lasting relationships with the diverse communities and partners we serve. Recognizing that equity is a continuous practice rather than a destination, we remain humble and engaged—committed to learning, unlearning, and evolving with empathy to ensure the conservation movement reflects the rich diversity of all who love and care for our planet.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$100,000 - $120,000

How to Apply for this Job

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a one-page cover letter as a single PDF to majorgifts-director@conservationlands.org. Please ensure that the email subject line and the PDF file name are formatted as Firstname_Lastname-Senior Director. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM MST on May 20 to be considered.

About the Organization

The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national nonprofit based in Durango, Colorado, with staff located across the West and in Washington, DC. Founded in 2007, CLF was built on the belief that public lands are best protected when supported by a national network of local advocates. Today, CLF partners with more than 96 community-based organizations—its Friends Grassroots Network—to protect the National Conservation Lands: a 38-million-acre collection of iconic landscapes under the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) care. These lands include National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails—mostly in the American West and Alaska.

Although the BLM oversees 248 million acres of public lands, only 15% are currently protected. CLF’s mission is to expand National Conservation Lands to ensure a healthy, climate-resilient, and equitable future for all. CLF’s work ensures that these lands are protected not only for their natural and cultural significance, but also for the communities that rely on them. Whether you are an avid hiker, Indigenous with ancestral ties to the land, or someone who rarely visits public spaces, the protection of these places is vital for clean water, wildlife corridors, climate stability, and cultural preservation. CLF also works to support smart renewable energy siting and prevent development that would fragment landscapes or threaten sacred, historic sites. CLF protects, restores, and expands the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy, and partnerships—with a deep commitment to equity and Indigenous-led conservation.

With an annual operating budget of $8.5 million, CLF is known for its nimble, bold, and collaborative approach to public land protection. Highlights and Accomplishments Helped secure protection for 15.5 million acres and over 200 miles of rivers and trails through expansion of the National Conservation Lands system since 2008. Awarded nearly $19 million in grants since 2008—nearly $1.9 million in 2024 alone—to support grassroots-led conservation, advocacy, and restoration. Over the last two years, added over 2 million acres of National Conservation Lands, including Chuckwalla National Monument (CA) and the expansion of Berryessa-Snow National Monument (CA) to include Molok Luyuk in 2024, supporting clean air and water, economic resilience, sacred landscapes, and public health. Defended 3.275 million acres of public lands through legal action. In 2024, achieved and defended the Public Lands Rule.

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