Philanthropy Officer

Background

Friends of the Columbia Gorge was founded in 1980, with members in Oregon, Washington, and beyond dedicated to preserving, protecting, and stewarding the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. With offices in Portland and Hood River, Oregon and Washougal, Washington, the organization uses an array of tools (advocacy, litigation, land acquisition, and public education) to ensure the Columbia Gorge remains a wondrous and vibrant place. In 2005, Friends launched the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust, a 509(a)(3) supporting organization to acquire spectacular landscapes within the Columbia Gorge

Summary of position

Building a large and diverse cross-section of major contributors across the Pacific Northwest is critical to sustaining Friends’ efforts to preserve the Columbia Gorge. Friends’ philanthropy team works to develop innovative and creative strategies to effectively educate, engage, and inspire supporters to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge.

In addition to the Philanthropy Officer, the philanthropy team includes a Philanthropy Engagement Manager, Grant Writer, Membership Coordinator, and Philanthropy and Database Coordinator, along with support from the Executive Director and Board of Directors. This is an external-facing role essential to achieving Friends’ mission and strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Build authentic relationships with individual donors through personalized outreach, meetings, and stewardship.
• Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects, to cultivate increased engagement and contributions over time.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Philanthropy Team, and Board Members on donor engagement strategies.
• Assist in planning and executing donor events and engagement opportunities, including Conservator Circle ($1,000 annual) and Guardians Circle ($5,000 annual) activities.
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies to ensure donor retention and satisfaction.
• Support campaigns and initiatives, including capital, endowment, and land acquisition efforts, as needed.
• Partner with team members to identify planned giving prospects and facilitate legacy discussions. 
• Work with the Communications Team to develop compelling donor materials and campaigns.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a passion for connecting with people and building relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Self-starter with a proactive approach to meeting new people and engaging donors.
• A willingness to learn and grow within the organization, with mentoring and training provided.
• Enthusiasm for the protection, preservation, and stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and incorporating them into donor engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with fundraising tools and systems (e.g., CRM software) is a plus but not required.

Compensation & Benefits

Starting salary range is $70,000 -$80,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include generous vacation time and holidays, health insurance for employees and dependents along with an employer-matched retirement plan.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) work and organizational culture

The Columbia Gorge has been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, stewarding the land and waters of this region long before European colonization and the western idea of environmentalism. Friends is dedicated to ensuring the Columbia Gorge remains a place of wonder for generations to come. Whether it is the land, water, wildlife, people, Tribes, or communities, each is dependent upon the others for the Gorge to truly thrive. This is not possible without representing and engaging tribal as well as other diverse communities and individuals who share a connection to this special place. Read our full DEIJ statement here.

Read our full DEIJ statement.

EEO Policy

Friends is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoffs, recalls, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Working Environment

Full-time hybrid between office and home within typical office hours. Other hours include three required annual Friends events, staff and team meetings, committee meetings, and occasional earlier morning, evening, or weekend work for events. 

This position requires sitting or standing at a desk, using a computer, talking on the phone, driving, hiking, and participating in outdoor activities. The ability to lift up to 30 pounds and work in various outdoor environmental conditions is also required.

ADA Statement

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Application

Friends has partnered with Nonprofit Professionals Now on this key fundraising position.

Applicants are asked to provide a resume and cover letter highlighting their fundraising experience. All applications will be considered and reviewed.

Application deadline is February 3, 2025.

Apply Now
 

About Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Ensuring the Gorge remains a vibrant, living place—wondrous, wild, and open to all—is at the core of what we do. Friends of the Columbia Gorge works to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge for future generations.

We are the only conservation organization entirely dedicated to protecting and enhancing the scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Columbia Gorge. For over four decades, we have successfully advocated to protect the Gorge from irresponsible development, purchased scenic and sensitive lands for long-term preservation, and worked with community partners to foster a larger culture of Gorge stewardship by connecting thousands of students and volunteers to the Gorge’s wonders.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge is an equal opportunity employer.
Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.