Institutional Giving Director

Trust for Public Land; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Vacation and sick pay

Holiday closure

403(b) retirement plan with company 7%

Job summary

Trust for Public Land seeks a dynamic Institutional Giving Director to elevate corporate and foundation funding. Based in New York, the IGD will lead a portfolio, set strategy, and inspire donors to make transformational gifts.

The role requires nine years of nonprofit fundraising leadership, superb writing and presentation skills, and the ability to collaborate across Finance, Legal, Marketing, and Programs. Hybrid work is offered with regional travel.

Qualifications

• Nine+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to secure major institutional support.
• Strong written and verbal fundraising communications; compelling grant proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 60–75 foundation and corporate donors, primarily New York-based.
• Develop and submit proposals, letters of inquiry, and donor briefings.
• Collaborate with Finance, Program, Legal, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to design budgets and meet grant requirements.
• Lead donor engagements, conferences, and stewardship activities to secure multi-year gifts.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major donor cultivation

Grant proposals

Prospect research

Corporate partnerships

Budgeting

Communications

Portfolio management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Online research tools

Job description

Who We Are:

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org.

Who We Are:

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org.

“For over 50 years, Trust for Public Land has been working tirelessly towards our vision that every individual should have close-to-home access to the benefits of nature. In today’s world, our land-for-people solutions are more relevant than ever. Quality parks and natural spaces are a fundamental requirement for sustaining healthy, equitable communities that are resilient and prepared for change. Parks and public lands connect us to each other and to the outdoors. We are a vibrant organization with a strategic plan that builds on our success and positions TPL for a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Join us and become part of a growing and forward-thinking team focused on growing our philanthropic partnerships to ensure healthy, livable communities for generations to come.”

• Patricia Watson, Chief Advancement Officer

Position Summary:

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a dynamic and accomplished Institutional Giving Director (IGD) to elevate and optimize corporate and foundation giving. As an integral member of the New York team, the IGD will play a pivotal role in achieving revenue targets that support TPL’s New York strategic priorities, and regional and national priorities, as appropriate. Strong candidates will have a proven track record of building and growing strong relationships that inspire both new and established partners to financially support the mission. This position requires exceptional fundraising ability, internal and external communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across teams. The IGD will play a critical role in translating program strategies into compelling donor‑facing narratives and effectively managing a portfolio of foundation and corporate donors.

Responsibilities

• 75% relationship management: The IGD will manage a portfolio and secure philanthropic gifts from local, regional, and national foundations and corporations who currently give in the $50,000 to $500,000+ range and who have potential for growth. The IGD will progressively add new institutional donors to the portfolio.
• 15% proposal, presentation, and briefing development: The IGD will translate program strategies into compelling donor‑facing narratives and presentations. The IGD will create internal briefing documents and ensure internal partners have the tools, training, and confidence needed to engage donors effectively.
• 10% internal collaboration: The IGD will foster strong partnerships with program colleagues to create alignment around priorities and plans. This includes timely sharing of revenue forecasts, philanthropic progress, and institutional funding opportunities.

Expectations:

• Manage and expand a portfolio comprising 60-75 foundation and corporate prospects and donors, primarily within New York, capable of granting $50,000 - $500,000+.
• Regularly conduct purposeful donor visits, aiming for 45-60+ meaningful engagements annually, with a target of qualifying at least 24 prospects each year.
• Submit a minimum of three solicitations of $500,000+ and thirty solicitations ranging from $50,000 - $499,999 annually.
• Contribute significantly to Philanthropy's success in New York, with occasional engagement in developing opportunities that strengthen and elevate field programs across the Tri-state area, and beyond as appropriate.
• Develop impactful proposals and letters of inquiry, compelling corporate pitches, concept papers, and research briefings.
• Prepare leadership, volunteers, and staff for donor engagements, including pre-meeting planning and post-meeting follow-up.
• Create and implement prospect engagement strategies, including prospect identification, qualification, and cultivation. Determine optimal timing and amounts for funding requests, oversee complex proposal creation including collaboration with budgeting and finance personnel, personally solicit prospects during face-to-face meetings, supply requisite verbal and written communications to secure donations, and deliver comprehensive stewardship, including corporate engagement and volunteer events, and gift reporting.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Philanthropy, Finance, Legal, Marketing, State and Program and National departments to construct proposal budgets, faciliti"amp; "e engagement opportunities, and oversee grant agreement deliverables and reporting.
• Collaborate with fellow philanthropy team members on cross-functional TPL-wide initiatives, such as joint grant solicitations and stewardship activities.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned.

Experience, Education, and Skills Required:

• A minimum of nine years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated expertise in devising strategies, securing substantial funding from, and effectively stewarding major institutional partners. A track record of consistently meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Proficiency in crafting compelling written and verbal fundraising communications. The ability to convey intricate concepts through presentations, emails, and direct interactions. Substantial experience in composing complex grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and institutional reports.
• Track record of identifying and qualifying new prospects from cold outreach.
• Proven and substantial history of cultivating and maintaining fruitful relationships with foundations and corporations.
• Experience conceiving and executing corporate engagement initiatives, encompassing networking events, volunteer participation activities, and more.
• Proficiency in utilizing fundraising databases, Microsoft Office applications, and online research tools.
• Experience collaborating with Finance and Program staff to devise proposal budgets.
• Self-driven, adept at managing multiple priorities, paying meticulous attention to detail and deadlines, and achieving success with minimal supervision.
• The capacity to excel both independently as a strong individual contributor and as an active team participant, introducing fresh concepts and opportunities.
• Genuine interest in and commitment to Trust for Public Land's mission.
• A willingness to adopt flexible work hours and occasional travel throughout the region is essential.
• Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.

Compensation:

Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and this role will ideally be located near a Trust for Public Land office. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $101,000 to 115,000. Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities, it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets.