Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We
take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We
wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect
people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance
clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of
groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical
environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We
are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of
achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve
this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy
environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in
Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York,
Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.
The Foundation Relations Development Officer is one of a five-person
foundation relations team, which raises approximately one-quarter of
Earthjustice’s contributed revenue. The Foundation Relations Development
Officer raises grant support for their designated program areas and for
regional offices as assigned, managing a portfolio of foundation donors
and prospects. The person in this position works closely with the
president, vice presidents of litigation, program managers, attorneys,
communications staff, board members, and the entire development team to
develop and implement effective strategies for meeting revenue goals.
This position is based in San Francisco, CA.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Foundation Solicitation and Relationship Development: 60% (writing 40%;
research/prospecting 10%; foundation relationship building/stewardship
10%)
- Achieve foundation revenue goals as specified in the annual
work plan.
- Ensure growth of donor base by identifying, researching, and
cultivating potential sources of foundation support.
- Research foundation guidelines and giving histories and, when
possible, talk to informed allies to determine best approach for
Earthjustice solicitation. Monitor program developments at
relevant foundations.
- Stay abreast of foundation trends through philanthropic journals and
other sources.
- Engage in personal contact with foundation staff to cultivate,
solicit, and steward foundation donors; coordinate appropriate
program staff involvement at each stage.
- Serve as a resource to foundation staff seeking information about
Earthjustice, about the environmental community, or about
environmental issues more broadly.
- Work with program staff to define and articulate broad program
vision, goals, objectives, and specific strategies to attain them.
- Work with program staff to develop and submit the highest quality
letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and reports to foundations.
- Engage foundation staff and other informed allies in discussions
about program direction and gap analysis.
- Write and submit timely gift acknowledgement letters.
- Develop budgets and financial reports in coordination with program
and finance staff and occasionally with subcontractors or
external partners. Monitor and meet foundation proposal and
reporting deadlines in coordination with attorneys’ schedules.
- Identify and develop opportunities for personal communication
between foundation contacts and Earthjustice staff and trustees,
such as personal meetings, invitations to events, program update
briefings, and letters.
- Write briefings memos and prepare the president, senior leadership,
and attorneys for foundation meetings; and participate in such
meetings as appropriate.
Program Knowledge and Communication 25% (15% research; 10% staff
interactions)
- Follow issues related to Earthjustice litigation and remain
conversant in the work of assigned Earthjustice programs. This
includes reading all relevant New Matter Forms, news &
communications generated by Earthjustice, and news from external
sources such as E&E Publishing and Greenwire.
- Develop a working knowledge of Earthjustice’s past accomplishments
and current programs and budget.
- Track the status of relevant legal cases and programs through
ongoing conversations with program staff.
General Responsibilities: 15%
- Participate in the preparation of foundation revenue estimates for
the annual budget.
- Develop and implement an individual work plan to meet revenue goals.
- Periodically provide revenue re-projections based on actual
year-to-date performance.
- Collaborate with development staff on donor cultivation activities,
site visits, solicitations, and special events.
- Regularly edit mailing lists for events and publications.
- Serve as a resource for program writing for the
Development Department.
- Serve as a resource for program budgets for the
Development Department.
- Maintain current and accurate hardcopy and computer database records
to track foundation relations.
- Attend departmental and organizational retreats for shared planning,
team building, and professional development.
- Represent Development Department in legal practice groups.
- Additional duties as assigned.
- This position requires occasional travel.
- Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Five years of successful experience in foundation fundraising.
Knowledge of foundations that emphasize environmental giving a plus.
- Excellent creative writing skills, including the ability to develop
successful grant proposals, reports, and other materials. Ability to
synthesize complex material, to translate it into readable and
engaging prose, and to communicate it clearly and succinctly.
- Ability to build and interpret a program budget and
financial reports.
- Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to prioritize and to manage work independently; ability to
perform effectively and with minimal supervision under pressure of
multiple deadlines.
- Ability to take initiative in identifying and skillfully
solving problems.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide range of
people, including the public, foundation staff, and in-house staff.
- Ability to work constructively as a member of a team.
- Interest in environmental protection and public health issues.
- Legal and/or environmental background preferred.
- Ability to use relational database systems.
- An awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of
individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- Contribution to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive
work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
We offer a mission and employee-focused work environment and a
competitive compensation package including excellent benefits.
Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values
diversity.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested candidates should submit a resume and
cover letter explaining their experience and interest in
Earthjustice. Submit online via the Jobvite system.
Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical
difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or
hard copies.
Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and
excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of
perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an
inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an
equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices
that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided
with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin,
ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical
condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or
any other factor that is not related to the position.