Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Access Fund represents more than 8 million climbers nationwide in its work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates.
Access Fund is seeking a skilled one-on-one fundraiser who is passionate about our mission and possesses strong interpersonal and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will thrive on the opportunity to support and partner with donors who share our passion for climbing and caring for the land for current and future generations. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Strategic Giving Advisor will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and nurturing relationships with existing and prospective donors across the country. The person in this position will help lead and innovate Access Fund’s donor cultivation and stewardship practices.
Access Fund maintains its national headquarters in Louisville, Colorado. This position is eligible for remote or hybrid work arrangements; however, a preference will be given to candidates within close proximity to a major market with easy access to an airport (Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; Chattanooga, Tennessee, San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Boston, MA).
Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. Access Fund will begin reviewing applications on Monday, August 4.
Job Responsibilities:
75% - Major Donor Engagement and Solicitation
Develop an annual major donor fundraising and stewardship program, ensuring best practices and innovation in how Access Fund brings donors closer to the organization.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and nurture a growing personal portfolio of donors across the country, increasing Access Fund’s ability to connect with and educate climbers about sustainable access and conservation of outdoor climbing environments.
Work closely with and support the Executive Director and Director of Philanthropy in managing their portfolios of the highest priority major donors, charitable foundations, and other major supporters.
Schedule one-on-one meetings, video calls, phone calls, or email check-ins with donors to keep them informed and engaged.
Plan and travel to 3-4 donor activation events per year, creating meaningful experiences for connection to new and existing donors.
Advance and deepen Access Fund’s planned giving program.
Collaborate with the Philanthropy and Marketing teams to develop a strategic annual communication cadence with targeted outreach efforts.
Draft and distribute individualized major gift proposals, acknowledgments, and updates.
Create, track, and maintain donor profiles, activities, acknowledgment, and documentation consistently and accurately within Salesforce.
Work closely with the Director of Marketing & Membership to steward and solicit middle and monthly donors
10% - Foundation Relations
Manage a limited portfolio of private and/or government funders, including prospecting, soliciting, reporting, and stewardship.
Collaborate with Executive Director and Director of Philanthropy to ensure the foundation program's strategic direction and success.
Support the Programs Team on government grant proposals and reports
Ensure accurate tracking of all grant related deadlines
10% - Philanthropic Planning, Tracking, and Analysis
Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and fundraising team to develop annual revenue and fundraising targets and strategies.
Proactively track and report on real-time giving and data trends from major donors and charitable foundations in Salesforce.
Collaborate with Data Systems & Member Experience Manager to ensure data integrity, optimize donor reporting, and support segmentation strategies.
Report quarterly on fundraising initiatives and revenue targets.
5% - Staff and Board Support and Partnership
Partnering with the Director of Philanthropy, work with the Programs team to identify, develop, and execute project-specific fundraising campaigns with a focus on charitable foundations and major donors.
Keep Access Fund staff and board educated and engaged on the latest developments within the philanthropy field.
Skills and Experiences We’re Looking For
Not meeting all the requirements but still feel like you’d be a great fit? Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to our openings. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered. Tell us how you can contribute to our team in a cover letter.
Ability to work a consistent 40-hour week, with the flexibility to travel and work nights/weekends for donor engagement events.
Four or more years of donor relations experience for a nonprofit, soliciting gifts of $5,000 to $100,000+.
Experience managing giving from private and/or government foundations.
Be comfortable meeting new people, connecting with others, and speaking to groups.
Demonstrated proficiency with technology and an ability to use a CRM database. Salesforce experience is a plus.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented and possessing solid project management skills.
Passion for and understanding of, or willingness to learn, equal access for all principles as applied to the work of nonprofit and community organizations.
Understanding and interest in technical rock climbing and the work of protecting America’s outdoor climbing areas.
Satisfactory completion of a background check.
Essential Job Functions
Majority of work will be performed working at a computer.
Travel by air and vehicle approximately 5-6 times a year for donor events, meetings, and staff retreats.
Attend events for 4+ hours at a time.
Moving and loading boxes weighing up to 30 pounds.
Loading event tables in and out of Access Fund vehicles.
Pitching and sandbagging a 10’x10’ pop-up tent.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $60,000 - $80,000/year, depending on experience & location
Full-Time, Exempt position
Benefits
Generous time off, including paid holidays, 3 weeks of vacation (accrual increases throughout staff’s tenure), sick time, and flex time for nights and weekends worked.
Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as 403(b) retirement participation with a 3% match after one year of employment.
Flexible schedules are available to our employees.
Access to industry pro deals.
Climbing gym discounts, depending on location.
To Apply: To view the job posting in its entirety, please go to accessfund.org/careers. Please send a resume and cover letter (PDF format) describing pertinent professional and personal experience with “Strategic Giving Advisor” in the subject line to employment@accessfund.org no later than Friday, August 1. No phone calls, please.
Access Fund is an equal opportunity employer and provides employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. We seek to attract a skilled workforce that reflects the diverse demographics of current and future outdoor enthusiasts. At Access Fund, we pride ourselves on the health and happiness of our staff. Together, we are building an organization and an industry where great ideas, born from a diversity of experiences, thrive.