About Rare

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For over 45 years, across 60 countries, we have inspired and empowered millions of people and their communities to shift their behaviors and practices to protect our shared planet. We are a global leader in driving social change for people and nature. We facilitate solutions that help individuals, their communities, and their local leaders tackle global environmental challenges, manage their resources, and take charge of their futures. And we believe that the cumulative power of individual and community action is a vital pathway to safeguarding and restoring our shared waters, lands, and climate. 

Rare’s organizational culture is results-oriented, entrepreneurial, and defined by our five core values: Courage to Take Risks, Commitment to Accountability, Mindset of Solutionology, Investments in People, and Spirit of Celebration.

Position Overview

The Director of Development will play a critical role in Rare’s individual giving fundraising program. This position is part of a team that takes an organization-wide fundraising approach and will have the opportunity to secure funds for all areas of the organization, including program and general support. You will work closely with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees to steward and grow a community of supporters and raise the necessary funds to scale our programs around the world. This position plays a key role in fostering positive relationships with individual donors while also collaborating with colleagues across multiple levels of the organization.

Reporting to the Vice President, Individual Giving, the Director of Development will manage cultivation and solicitation efforts involving a portfolio of some of Rare’s most generous individual donors and prospects, inspiring philanthropic investments of $10,000 up through the multi-million-dollar level. They will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategy to grow this portfolio and secure revenue from individuals. As a critical outward facing ambassador of the organization, the person in this role is capable of inspiring support from a variety of constituent groups, is highly organized, has strong written and verbal communication and listening skills, is emotionally intelligent, and driven to succeed.

This position is based in Arlington, VA with remote work possibilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for a select group of Rare’s most generous individual donors and high potential prospects.
• Build and manage a network of relationships with prospective donors involving program staff and senior leadership.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues to understand organizational funding needs and revenue forecasts.
• Lead the creation of donor strategies, promote prospect engagement, and work with the Research unit to identify and cultivate potential high-level donors.
• In addition to personal interactions with donors, the Director will facilitate interaction with targeted prospects by the CEO, President, Trustees, and other senior program staff leadership. This includes drafting written communications, talking points, and arranging and attending priority meetings for these senior executives.
• Ensure excellent stewardship and timely reporting.
• Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend the most suitable for a particular donor.
• Travel domestically within the United States approximately 20%. May involve occasional international travel.

Qualifications

• Commitment to Rare’s organizational mission and values.
• Bachelor’s Degree and eight years’ experience in fundraising or a related area, or an equivalent mix of training, experience and education. At least three years involved with the successful solicitation of multiple major gifts.
• Earnest desire to help generous people make meaningful gifts and have a satisfying experience.
• Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to build strong and lasting relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and high-level external contacts.
• Innovative, self-motivated, optimistic and solution oriented.
• Ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a network of relationships.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including the proven ability to effectively communicate the mission, goals, and needs of an organization in a compelling way.
• Organizational, analytical and fundraising skills, including the ability to interpret financial information and manage data.
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape and networks across the American West is preferred.
• Familiarity with Salesforce CRM is a plus.
• Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods is a plus.
• Must be able to travel frequently; some occasional international travel may be required.

Rare is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.