Director of Philanthropy

Director of Philanthropy

High Line Canal Conservancy

Denver Metro

This is an exciting time to join the Conservancy as it builds on the success of its recently completed $33 million capital campaign and enters a new phase of organizational growth and impact. Over the past decade, the Conservancy has established itself as a trusted partner, convener, and catalyst for advancing the vision of the High Line Canal through a unique public-private partnership.

While the organization continues to mature, it remains driven by the creativity, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that have fueled its success from the beginning. As a regional advocate and member of the Leadership Team, the Director of Philanthropy will play a pivotal role in securing the required resources, relationships and community investment to continue to transform the Canal into a 71-mile linear park.

Position Summary

The Director of Philanthropy is a strategic and hands-on fundraising leader responsible for advancing the Conservancy's philanthropic goals and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of a dynamic nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million.

This frontline fundraising role manages a portfolio of major donors and prospects while leading all aspects of the organization's fundraising strategy including annual giving, major giving, planned giving, donor cultivation and stewardship. The Director of Philanthropy partners closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Leadership Team to promote a strong culture of philanthropy and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Organizational Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that maximizes revenue, envisions strategic growth in all areas, and successfully advances organizational programs.

• Serve as a member of the organization's Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, annual budgeting, cross-departmental planning, and long-term growth initiatives.

• Lead philanthropy program including major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, donor stewardship, and special events.

• Establish annual revenue goals, fundraising benchmarks, and key performance indicators across all fundraising programs in partnership with Leadership Team.

• Manage Philanthropy Department staff of two and ensure performance metrics are met.

• Oversee departmental systems, workflows, and fundraising operations to ensure efficiency and excellent donor service.

• Oversee grant prospecting, application, and reporting pipeline.

• Partner with the CEO on Board engagement, fundraising strategy, and organizational priorities.

• Ensure accurate revenue forecasting, pipeline management, and fundraising reporting.

• Meet annual fundraising goals through structured moves management process.

• Develop and implement a new legacy giving program to support long-term sustainability.

Major Gifts Fundraising

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 75–125 major donor and prospect relationships, foundations, and institutional funders, developing tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each.

• Conduct regular donor visits and qualification meetings.

• Guide and partner with the CEO and board of directors on major gift strategies and solicitations.

• Prepare compelling proposals, gift agreements, impact reports, and stewardship communication that align donor and foundation interests with organizational priorities.

Special Events Fundraising

• Provide strategic leadership for the organization's two annual fundraising events, including a signature gala and community 5K race.

• Establish fundraising goals, sponsorship strategies, and donor engagement plans that maximize philanthropic revenue and community participation.

• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, sponsors, and volunteer committees to cultivate sponsorships, in-kind donations, and leverage events to deepen donor relationships.

Qualifications

• Six years or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including major gift fundraising.

• Demonstrated success personally soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts.

• Experience developing comprehensive organizational fundraising strategy.

• Experience managing donor portfolios using moves management principles.

• Experience supervising and developing fundraising staff.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Experience using donor database/CRM systems and fundraising analytics. Raiser's Edge experience preferred.

Benefits

Salary Range: $105,000 - $125,000 commensurate with experience. Includes a competitive benefits package with generous paid time off, medical, dental, HSA/FSA options, retirement plan, life and disability insurance.

How to Apply

Application Instructions Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by sending a resume with a cover letter addressing the applicant's interest and qualifications for the position. Send both documents as one PDF attachment to View email address on click.appcast.io. No phone calls, please. The position will remain open until filled with a preferred application deadline of August 9 and preferred start date in mid-September 2026. All High Line Canal Conservancy employees are required to undergo a background check. This is an at-will position. The Conservancy is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity for all employees, applicants, volunteers, program and event participants, trail users and visitors, partners, and other organizational stakeholders. We prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment based on age, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, native language, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, gender, veteran status, political service, and affiliation or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on any of these protected classes. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. This policy applies to all employees, including managers, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as customers, clients, vendors, consultants, etc. Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. At the Conservancy we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are interested in this role but your experience does not check all of the boxes, we encourage you to go ahead and apply. You may be the right candidate for this or another role in our organization.