ABOUT CANOPY
Canopy is a growing environmental nonprofit that brings nature into neighborhoods throughout the San Francisco Midpeninsula through tree planting and care, environmental education, and urban forest advocacy. Canopy envisions a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to move, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.
Since its founding in 1996, Canopy has grown from an all-volunteer team to a current staff of eighteen and operating budget nearing $2 million. This growth has been fueled by a thriving community of volunteers as well as balanced funding streams that include earned revenue (primarily state and city contracts), foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual giving, all of which have grown steadily. Over the last several years, Canopy has invested in fundraising capacity to continue bolstering long-term financial sustainability. Since 2015, Canopy successfully launched and completed its first multi-year capital-style campaign, codified its development strategy with a three-year fundraising plan, created a donor engagement task force of engaged Board members, and took the first steps towards formalizing major gift and planned giving programs. The organization is currently completing a new 3-year strategic plan, to be finalized summer 2022. This Director of Philanthropy position represents Canopy’s next investment in fundraising capacity by centralizing leadership for development strategies across the organization.
For more information, please visit www.canopy.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW
This opportunity is for an experienced development professional to take fundraising programs to the next level at a healthy nonprofit in a dynamic phase of growth. The Director of Philanthropy (DOP) will lead and integrate Canopy’s fundraising strategies across individual and institutional giving, and provide hands-on implementation for foundation and corporate grants, the annual fund, and a budding major gifts program.
ARE YOU?
● Energetic, a sophisticated communicator who loves to help people accomplish their philanthropic goals?
● Tech and systems savvy?
● Excited at the opportunity to go to tree plantings, meet volunteers and make connections?
● A warm person who makes people feel welcome and included?
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Director of Philanthropy (DOP) reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Senior Director of Programs and Board leadership to evaluate and manage Canopy’s mix of funding from contributed revenue, earned program revenue, and government contracts to ensure diversified revenue streams and long-term financial sustainability. This position has two direct reports, a Communications Manager and Database Specialist, and shares oversight of an Administrative Associate who provides development support. Canopy actively strives towards the principles of community-centric fundraising.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with Executive Director, Senior Director of Programs, and Board leadership to evaluate and manage Canopy’s mix of funding from contributed revenue, earned program revenue, and government contracts to ensure diversified revenue streams and long-term financial sustainability.
Establish clear fundraising goals for all contributed revenue sources (individual, corporate, and foundation); plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate strategies to achieve goals and grow contributed revenue over time, coordinating efforts among all relevant team members to achieve shared goals.
Manage two reports, including Communications Manager and Database Specialist, guiding work plans and goal setting, conducting performance reviews, and supporting professional development.
Work with the Executive Director to frame Canopy’s case for support in a clear, consistent, and compelling way.
Build stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation strategies, engaging and equipping staff, board members, and key volunteers to build meaningful relationships with donors and funders at all levels.
With support from the development team, identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual major donors, personally and in partnership with staff and board.
Reinvigorate a philanthropy committee of the board within the first six months of employment.
Craft appeals and manage execution of multi-channel fundraising for the annual fund and other individual giving campaigns, including direct mail, online solicitations, and fundraising events with support from the team.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional funders, prepare proposals in partnership with program staff, and manage Canopy’s portfolio of institutional grants in partnership with Operations Director.
Establish a legacy giving program; this can be done initially in collaboration with a consultant as needed.
Work with the Executive Director and Board Chair to build the Board’s capacity and confidence with fundraising.
Coordinate with the operations team to ensure accurate processing and accounting of gifts, contracts, and grants.
Evaluate and improve internal systems, donor metrics, policies, and procedures for efficient and effective development at Canopy.
Create a marketing/communications strategy, in coordination with the Executive leadership
In 2022, initiate a feasibility study for a multi-year capital-style campaign, building on the organization's success with its similar campaign of 2015-2018.
Perform other related duties as needed to ensure success of Canopy’s fundraising programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
Commitment and passion for Canopy’s mission to advance “tree equity” and grow a vibrant urban forest in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all
Commitment to Environmental Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), and cultural competency to communicate, interact, and collaborate with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities
Bachelor’s Degree and 5-7 years of experience in progressively challenging fundraising roles, or equivalent combination of education/experience
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) preferred
Comfort with public speaking and direct solicitations
Proven track record of securing major gifts
Tangible experience of having sustained and grown donor relationships over time
Direct work experience training and supporting boards and/or high-level volunteers in fundraising
Professional experience in nonprofit leadership, with demonstrated success achieving goals
Exceptional communication and writing skills
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Management experience of a diverse team; ability to foster a supportive environment where creativity and professional growth are encouraged
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to think strategically
Strong project planning, management, and execution skills, with high attention to detail
Strong knowledge of fundraising software and donor databases; Salesforce experience preferred
Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Hybrid Environment
Canopy is committed to the health and safety of our staff. We have a hybrid work environment with some days in the office or field, and some days working from home. Because of the constantly changing environment, team members will need to maintain flexibility with possible changes and updates to the hybrid work plan.
All Canopy employees are fully vaccinated. View Canopy’s vaccination policy here.
SALARY OR SALARY RANGE
The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000, provides Medical/dental/vision insurance, sick leave and generous vacation time, and opportunities for professional development.
In keeping with our commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cook Silverman Search posts salary ranges on all job descriptions.
TO APPLY
To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.
All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential