The Climate Reality Project was founded by former US Vice President Al Gore with a mission to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every sector of society.  We recruit, train, and mobilize people of all walks of life to work for just climate solutions that speed energy transition worldwide and open the door to a better tomorrow for us all. 

Our global network totals more than 3.8 million people from more than 190 countries and territories.  With 11 global branches around the world, we work to support our trained Climate Reality Leaders and network.  Our strategy is two-pronged: 1) grow the climate movement and build the political will necessary to adopt policy solutions through our signature trainings around the globe, and 2) harness our ever-expanding network in support of three key areas of focus; reducing emissions, financing a just transition and strengthening international cooperation around climate.  

Climate Reality staff are a diverse group of passionate individuals who’ve come together to tackle the greatest challenge of our time. We are advocates, organizers, storytellers, and non-profit professionals committed to building a sustainable future together.

Position Summary

The Climate Reality Project is seeking an experienced, passionate, entrepreneurial, and strategic fundraising professional to expand the organization’s fundraising efforts and provide critical support to the Advancement Department.

As a member of the Advancement leadership team, the Advancement Senior Manager will be responsible for executing a major donor fundraising program and supervising the department’s operational functions. They will develop and manage a high-level portfolio of current and prospective major donors and family foundations, focusing on increasing revenue from 5-6 figure funding partners, and oversee and implement a prospect research strategy that identifies qualified new prospects for Climate Reality’s pipeline. They will also manage personnel responsible for advancement operations, including prospect development, moves management, database management, and grants management, and midlevel giving key department verticals that are critical to a successful major gift program.

Currently reporting to the Advancement Vice President, the Senior Manager has two direct reports.

This is a full time, exempt, benefits-eligible, hybrid position. The Climate Reality Project offers a flexible hybrid schedule, with staff working from our office in downtown Washington, DC at least two days per week to enable and encourage collaboration within and among teams. The salary range for the role is $110,000-112,200 USD.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Major Donor Fundraising – 55%

• Develop and manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors and family foundations ($15,000 - $100,000), executing multi-faceted strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct donor contact meetings nationally and staff executive team in meetings when appropriate.
• Target and cultivate emerging donor constituencies, including next-gen and Donor-Advised-Funds.
• Work alongside Advancement Vice President on execution of select institutional foundation giving opportunities.
• Work alongside Advancement Vice President to develop and execute high-level event fundraising opportunities.

Leadership and Management – 25%

• Manage Advancement Operations Senior Associate, ensuring integrity of data entry, compliance of processes, grants management, stewardship, and administrative duties.
• Manage Charitable Giving Manager, overseeing a new mid-level giving program, ensuring increased revenue from 4-5 figure donors and a strong pipeline of donors into the major gifts program.
• In collaboration with Advancement Vice President and People Department, develops and ensures department staff have training and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute and actively lead in organization’s Supervisors team calls.

Other – 20%

• Oversee and execute the department’s prospect research strategy, culminating in a steady flow of prospects to major, institutional, and principal gift portfolios, as well as effective portfolio management and prospect analytics.
• Regularly communicate and coordinate revenue results and projections to Advancement Vice President, in preparation for CEO and CFO.
• Track fundraising efforts and constituents in Salesforce through moves management.
• Support Advancement Vice President on other department-wide efforts and campaigns.
• Uphold organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion by identifying areas to increase diversity of funding partners and equity in fundraising practices.
• Monitor industry best practices, trends and new technologies (such as Donor-Advised-Funds, AI, next-gen philanthropy) to increase efficiency and innovation in fundraising strategies and tactics.
• Support and contribute to the ongoing improvement of our operations and enrichment of our culture, for example by serving on ad hoc or ongoing work groups, assisting with the onboarding and training of colleagues, and participating in efforts to assess, refine, and strengthen our culture and practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Complete understanding and experience in gift cycle and donor cultivation and stewardship process
• Experience working directly with 5-6 figure climate philanthropists or related field.
• Proven track record securing and renewing 5-6 figure donations
• Thorough knowledge of the organization's work and the ability to pitch this work to donors
• Experience with communication and identification of strategies for cultivation of major donors
• Salesforce or CRM experience required
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Experience with research software and tools required
• Optimistic and positive attitude a must
• Ability to work long hours and weekends, travel semi-frequently and on short notice
• Ability to work in high-visibility and fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational skills and emotional intelligence.
• Commitment to Climate Reality’s mission and values
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer required

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree—or equivalent experience.
• Has between 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, within a climate, environment, or progressive policy field ideal.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience managing and mentoring a team
• Expert-level knowledge in job-specific fundraising approach(es).

Employee Benefits

The Climate Reality Project provides a total benefits package that helps you manage your health, protect your income, and prepare for the future.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance - Employee premiums are fully paid by The Climate Reality Project
• Life, short-term disability, and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) Retirement Account with a (%) matching contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Generous paid time off policies

The Climate Reality Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities and termination.