What We Can Achieve Together
The Africa Principal Gifts Officer (PGO) is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies to secure philanthropic support for Africa and other organizational conservation priorities from a select portfolio of individuals and foundations capable of making gifts of $5 million or more. Reporting to the Director of Development for Africa, the PGO leads and participates in complex donor strategy teams, oversees donor giving groups, drives strategic discovery efforts to identify new principal gift prospects, and helps ensure a strong pipeline of transformational donors. The PGO collaborates closely with fundraising colleagues across TNC, as well as leaders within the Africa team and conservation programs throughout the organization, to advance shared fundraising and conservation goals.
Essential Functions
The Africa Principal Gifts Officer (PGO) develops and implements sophisticated donor strategies and manages a portfolio of principal gift donors and prospects, leading all aspects of the fundraising cycle, including research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Working closely with conservation and development staff, the PGO creates complex philanthropic opportunities using a variety of giving vehicles to advance TNC’s priorities and ensures exceptional donor stewardship through reports, meetings, events, and field experiences. The PGO possesses a deep understanding of Africa’s conservation strategy and its connection to organizational priorities, leveraging this knowledge to advance donor engagement. They bring creativity, determination, and enthusiasm to TNC’s $12 billion Together We Find a Way Campaign, build and expand their portfolio of Africa focused donors through giving groups, peer networks and innovative discovery strategies, and apply expertise in philanthropic giving, assets, and ownership structures. The role also includes serving as a moves manager for senior members of the Africa Team and other organizational leaders, while maintaining accurate donor records in TNC’s donor database.
Responsibilities & Scope
- Manage a portfolio of up to 40 principal gift donors and prospects with an interest in Africa, including individuals in discovery and qualification. Responsible for at least four strategic moves per donor annually and achieving annual fundraising goals of at least $5 million.
- Serve as an Africa subject matter expert and strategic partner on complex donor strategy teams, collaborating with top-performing fundraisers, conservation leaders, and organizational leaders to inspire transformational philanthropic support for Africa’s conservation efforts and organizational priorities.
- Lead donor engagement and portfolio growth efforts, including oversight of high-performing donor giving groups, strategic discovery and qualification activities, and the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and expansion of principal gift prospects through peer networks and innovative engagement strategies.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture by embracing cross-cultural communication, continuous learning, strong self-awareness, and a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and respect.
- Exercise significant independent judgment and decision-making on matters that may have program-wide impact, affect staff beyond the program, or create financial or legal obligations for the organization, while ensuring compliance with TNC policies, donor requirements, legal regulations, and ethical standards.
- Lead and manage complex, high-profile initiatives and agreements, coordinating cross-functional teams, overseeing budgets and accountability, participating in sensitive negotiations, and maintaining confidentiality around frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
- Drive fundraising success and organizational impact by setting and achieving fundraising objectives, evaluating results, implementing corrective strategies as needed, and persuasively communicating TNC’s mission and priorities to diverse audiences critical to the organization’s success.
- Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and professionalism through domestic and international travel, occasional evening and weekend work, and a commitment to thriving in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
We’re Looking For You
Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in and where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone who can serve as a leader and develop donor strategies and meet fundraising needs. Collaboration, maintaining long relationships and the ability to negotiate complex agreements are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with individual principal gift donors. Foundation and corporate fundraising experience also of value.
- Demonstrated experience and a track record of successfully asking for and closing gifts of $1,000,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
- Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
- Experience, coursework or other training in current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.
Desired Qualifications
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Ability to design and direct fundraising initiatives, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.
- Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and to act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.
- Ability to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Expert knowledge of complex charitable gift planning.
- Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with
TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
Salary Information
For US-based applicants:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of
$102,300 – $182,495. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
For Canada-based Applicants
This position may only be based in a Canadian province/territory where TNC is registered (
Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories). The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $193,000– $205,000 CAD for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is Canada. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
Who We Are
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
