Foundation for America’s Public Lands
Development Director
Job Description
About the Position
Our strong but mighty founding team is seeking a dynamic Director of Development (DoD) to architect and drive a high-performing, multi-lane fundraising strategy. This is a role for a builder, not a steward. You’ll partner directly with executive leadership to grow our revenue across all fundraising lanes with a special focus on foundations and corporate partnerships while also building individual and public funding opportunities. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working closely with the CEO, this role offers the rare opportunity to shape an institution from the ground up, backed by a congressional charter and national scope.
The ideal candidate is mission-driven, highly adaptive, thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, and is ready to travel the United States to build revenue streams for this new foundation. If you’ve ever wanted to be a part of growing a generational institution that will shape the future of our public lands, this is your chance.
How to Recommend or Apply
Please submit application materials via the application link. Materials should include:
- Resume / CV
- Cover letter highlighting your interest in the Foundation for America’s Public Lands as well specific successes in: leading corporate and foundation fundraising + individual and public grant experience.
- Writing a sample demonstrating your qualifications for this particular role
What You’ll Do:
Fundraising Strategy and Execution
- Lead integrated fundraising across four primary revenue lanes: primarily focused on corporate partnerships and foundations while building individual giving and public grants
- Support the development and expansion of a comprehensive annual fundraising plan, inclusive of public, private, and institutional revenue streams
- Develop and execute strategies to qualify, cultivate, and steward a robust pipeline of new funders, while also deepening relationships with existing donors through direct outreach, relationship-building, and ongoing stewardship
- Collaborate with finance and program teams to align revenue targets with budget development and project delivery
- Represent the Foundation in donor meetings, convenings, major events, and networking opportunities to strengthen organizational visibility
Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes:
What You’ll Bring:
- 7+ years of progressive fundraising or business development experience with a proven record of generating revenue
- Comfort working across all donor segments, primarily with corporations and foundations and experience with individuals and public agencies.
- Experience in both resource-constrained and high-capacity environments—you know how to build from scratch with a vision of excellence
- Demonstrated success designing and leading high-impact donor engagement events that deepen relationships and drive revenue
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to operate with minimal support and high accountability
- Fluency in budget alignment, donor CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and development operations
- Strong alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values
- Proven agility in fast-paced, high-change environments—able to navigate ambiguity, solve complex challenges creatively, and deliver results without losing momentum
- Travel readiness (~30% of time)
What Makes This Role Exciting:
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the mission of sustaining America’s public lands while helping build the Foundation’s fundraising capacity. You will:
- Shape Strategy: Lead foundational strategies to grow revenue and strengthen donor engagement.
- Drive Impact: Play a defining role in securing resources to protect 11% of the U.S. landmass and strengthen the public’s connection to nature.
- Collaborate and Lead: Work alongside passionate colleagues, government partners, and diverse stakeholders to ensure the success of our mission.
- Be a Trailblazer: Join a once-in-a-generation effort to build a national institution from the ground up, unencumbered by legacy systems or bureaucracy.
- Cross-Sector Reach: Engage with public, private, and philanthropic leaders across the country, from policymakers to billionaires to community organizers.
- Dynamic, High-Caliber Team: Collaborate with values-driven professionals committed to building a culture of trust, impact, and innovation.
- Autonomy & Influence: Help define fundraising strategy, donor engagement practices, and infrastructure, shaping how the organization evolves.
Why Join Us?
The Foundation for America’s Public Lands offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a pioneering team dedicated to preserving and enhancing America’s public lands and waters. You’ll be stepping into a role where you can truly make a difference, setting the direction for a foundation that will leave a lasting legacy. If you’re ready to build something groundbreaking and leave your mark on conservation, we’d love to hear from you!
Compensation
Travel: ~30%
Location
Location: Remote
About the Foundation
Foundation for America's public lands
The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is a pioneering startup on a mission to safeguard the sustainability of our public lands and waters. Chartered by Congress, we are the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management with a pivotal mission: to connect us to our public lands and waters and sustain these special places for the benefit of present and future generations.
Standing on the cusp on an exciting chapter, we are set to become a cornerstone institution, working in close partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and a strong network of local to national stakeholders who share our vision. Our work is ambitious, impactful, and essential – and we are building the inaugural team who will be critical to shaping the Foundation’s future.
With co-headquarters in Grand Junction, CO, and Washington, DC, the Foundation is poised for growth and to have a substantial impact on the future of our nation’s public lands and waters. Discover more about our mission and how you can contribute to this groundbreaking journey at www.americaslands.org.
On May 5, 2017, Congress authorized the creation of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands (Foundation) to address the following overarching goals:
- To encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of money, real and personal property; and in-kind services for the benefit of, or in connection with the activities and services of, the Bureau of Land Management.
- To conduct activities, campaigns, and programs that advance the purposes for which public land is managed.
- To carry out and encourage educational, technical, scientific, and other assistance or activities that support the mission of the BLM.
- To assist BLM with challenges that could be better addressed with the support of a foundation, including reclamation and conservation activities, activities relating to wild free roaming horses and burros, and the stewardship of cultural and archaeological treasures on public land.
The Foundation is the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and works together with the BLM to support its mission. The Foundation is at a critical juncture as they build its leadership, craft strategic priorities, and design programming priority campaigns. Together with BLM, the Foundation can inspire people to care for our lands and build greater awareness and affinity for public lands.
The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
