About Rare

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For 50 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 and 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, and entrepreneurial, and our global programs cover the thematic areas of climate change, fisheries and marine conservation, sustainable agriculture food security, and Green Recovery.

About the Position

Rare's Individual Giving team works to build a growing base of philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals who share our commitment to people and nature. The team operates within a collaborative, mission-driven development environment and partners closely with senior leadership, trustees, and program staff to connect donors to Rare's most compelling conservation and climate work.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven Philanthropic Advisor to build and expand individual major gift fundraising across the Northeast, with a primary focus on New York City and Boston. This role is ideal for someone energized by building donor relationships from the ground up, navigating philanthropic networks with confidence, and translating complex conservation outcomes into compelling donor narratives.

Reporting to the Vice President of Individual Giving, the Philanthropic Advisor will manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 donors and prospects, with a focus on securing six- and seven-figure gifts. This is a highly external-facing, individual contributor role requiring frequent in-person engagement, independent judgment, and a strong results orientation. The Philanthropic Advisor will expand Rare's visibility in one of its most significant wealth markets while working in close partnership with colleagues across development, programs, and senior leadership.

Core Responsibilities

Prospecting and Pipeline Development

• Identify, engage, and qualify high-net-worth individuals across New York City, Boston, and the broader Northeast
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects with six- and seven-figure gift capacity
• Partner with trustees, board members, and existing donors to generate introductions and new leads
• Conduct prospect research and leverage networks to continuously expand the donor pipeline

Portfolio Management and Donor Growth

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 donors and prospects
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each relationship
• Upgrade donors to higher giving levels and multi-year commitments
• Track all donor engagement, pipeline activity, and gift progression accurately in Salesforce CRM

Relationship Building and Regional Visibility

• Expand Rare's presence within Northeast philanthropic, business, and civic networks
• Represent Rare at donor events, convenings, and regional gatherings
• Support and host donor engagement opportunities including salons, briefings, and cultivation events
• Conduct regular in-person and virtual donor meetings throughout the region

Collaboration and Fundraising Execution

• Partner with development colleagues, program staff, and senior leadership to align donor interests with organizational priorities
• Prepare proposals, briefings, and donor communications to support major gift solicitations
• Provide regular pipeline and portfolio updates to the Vice President of Individual Giving
• Collaborate with the broader development team on integrated fundraising strategies

Skills, Preferences & Experience

The ideal candidate will:

• Bring 6–8 years of fundraising or relationship management experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and donor portfolio management. This experience can be gained through a combination of work and study, but should include meaningful frontline fundraising responsibility
• Demonstrate a track record of securing and upgrading five-figure gifts and qualifying prospects toward six- and seven-figure commitments
• Possess excellent communication, relationship-building, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate Rare's mission into compelling donor narratives
• Be comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment while collaborating effectively across teams
• Have proficiency with CRM systems; Salesforce experience is preferred
• Show willingness to travel frequently within New York City and Boston, with periodic broader regional travel (~20%) and trips to Rare's Arlington, VA headquarters
• Have experience in conservation, climate, sustainability, or global development (preferred but not required)
• Be familiar with philanthropic, business, or civic networks in New York City or Boston (preferred)
• Hold a Bachelor's degree (required)

Commitments

• To Rare's mission and values
• To addressing important environmental issues such as climate change, overfishing, and sustainable agriculture; prior experience working on these issues is welcome but not required
• To the success of the team - to both teach and learn from others, and to toggle comfortably between leading and supporting roles as needed

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. All employment-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors such as skill, ability, past performance, attendance, and length of service.