Director of Institutional Giving
Our Mission
We advance the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities.
We understand that as in nature, diversity builds resilience. We uphold a working culture where unique identities and experiences are welcomed and appreciated. Our team is empathetic, committed and collaborative. We seek employees that are not only capable and talented, but who care about supporting and respecting each other. We seek people who are interested in imagining creative solutions and continuous learning.
Position Overview
The Director of Institutional Giving is responsible for the strategic vision to maximize revenue from foundations, corporations, and government entities to meet annual revenue goals and realize the strategic goals of the organization. Essential in driving our organization’s ambitious institutional funding goals and securing transformational funding, this role requires a leader who combines a deep passion for our vision, mission, and values with a proven track record in institutional fundraising, strategic visioning and operational excellence.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications & Philanthropy, the Director of Institutional Giving will design and direct a comprehensive institutional giving program that expands and diversifies revenue streams, strengthens partnerships, and ensures alignment with organizational priorities. This role oversees the institutional giving team and leads a holistic strategy encompassing prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Director also directly manages a portfolio of foundation and corporate contributors, leveraging staff and volunteer partners to enhance engagement and fundraising success.
The ideal candidate is a visionary strategist and accomplished grant writer with an entrepreneurial mindset, ready to elevate our institutional fundraising efforts and contribute to our strategic direction.
Essential Job Functions
Development planning, oversight and execution (25%)
- Contribute to the strategic vision and direction for the organization, helping to develop and articulate the organization’s value proposition, case for support, program goals, and funding priorities.
- Build and oversee a dynamic and robust institutional giving program to advance the organization’s strategic goals, increasing and diversifying funding from a broad spectrum of institutional funders, including foundations, corporations, and government sources.
- Develop and oversee a comprehensive, three-to-five-year strategic institutional giving plan, establishing annual revenue goals and performance metrics, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Communications & Philanthropy and the President & CEO.
- Expand the institutional giving prospect pool by working with the Data Analyst and Researcher, Institutional Giving Manager, and other staff in research, data mining, analysis and applied analytics.
- Serve as a senior leader and member of the Expanded Leadership Group and Work Teams as assigned, working closely and collaboratively with staff across the organization to ensure development efforts are aligned with departmental and organizational priorities and supported across all departments.
- Attend and contribute to Development Committee meetings, helping to shape the agenda and priorities to advance institutional fundraising goals and participate in Board meetings as needed to provide updates and insights on institutional giving efforts.
Team Leadership and Management (20%)
- Manage and provide strategic direction, mentorship, guidance, and career development for the Institutional Giving team, fostering team growth and effectiveness.
- Set and evaluate annual performance metrics for the Institutional Giving unit with the Senior Director of Communications & Philanthropy, including dollars raised, new institutions engaged, renewal rates, Moves Management milestones (e.g. proposals, visits, stewardship actions, etc.). As well as feedback from colleagues about the effectiveness and clarity of the institutional giving strategy.
- Coordinate closely with conservation colleagues in Land Protection, Stewardship, and Partnerships & Public Policy departments to provide guidance on and help implement fundraising strategies. Lead strategy discussions, develop multi-year institutional giving plans, and align efforts across Communications & Philanthropy units.
- Collaborate and coordinate with Finance & Administration to develop and manage fundraising budgets, track and report on expenditures, ensure efforts conform to best practices, and monitor compliance with grant requirements.
Secure major gifts for MCHT’s mission (40%)
- Develop, direct, and execute strategies for securing major and leadership gifts ($250,000+) and major gifts (gifts of $50,000 – $249, 999) from institutional funders, including initiating and arranging donor meetings and site visits and the preparation of high-level strategy briefings, talking points, and donor correspondence for the President & CEO, senior leadership, volunteers, and other staff, as needed.
- Oversee and manage the development of proposals, applications, budgets, and reports to foundations, businesses, and government entities, working closely with staff across the organization to ensure alignment with the organization’s needs and priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of 50-75 high-value institutional funders to secure general operating, project, in-kind, and capital support.
- Ensure timely reporting on the outcomes and impact of funding received, ensuring donor expectations for reporting are met and that the impact of their contributions is communicated effectively.
- Provide timely follow-up and debriefs after meetings and other donor touch points. Track strategy, opportunities, actions, deliverables, plans and outreach in the Constituent Relationship Management software to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
External Representation (15%)
- Represent MCHT in collective fundraising efforts and at high-level meetings with strategic partners to advance fundraising for statewide priorities, sharing information with the Senior Leadership Team and project staff to support decisions that advance MCHT’s strategic objectives and fundraising goals.
- Represent MCHT within philanthropic networks and at high-profile conferences and events, staying informed about industry trends and emerging funding opportunities.
- Develop and sustain strategic relationships with NGO and philanthropic partners, donors, Board, Council, and Committee members, and other key stakeholders as directed by the Senior Director of Communications & Philanthropy.
Supervisory Responsibility
Direct reports: 1 FTE, Institutional Giving Manager
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include assisting with training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance and resolving issues.
Our mission is to advance the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) has helped conserve over 180,000 acres and 337 islands, including over 160 places open to the public offering over 100 miles of hiking trails.
We’ve partnered with individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities to conserve iconic islands, critical wildlife habitat, coastal watersheds, water access sites, downtown greenspaces, and epic places for people to explore.
Our priorities are mitigating the impacts of climate change on the coast, protecting vulnerable plants and animals, expanding access to the coast, and serving Maine’s coastal communities and network of over 80 land trusts.
Education & Experience
A bachelor’s degree, 7+ years of fundraising experience, and a track record of success in institutional giving is preferred. In lieu of a degree, 10 years of fundraising experience with a track record in institutional fundraising, strategic visioning and operational excellence. 2+ years in a leadership role responsible for managing a professional team. Experience working in conservation is a plus.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Driving Fundraising Strategy and Results: Proven ability to design and implement effective fundraising strategies, including grants management, corporate sponsorships with a track record of securing seven-figure gifts.
- Leveraging Institutional Funding Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of private foundations, government grants, and corporate giving programs, with awareness of trends and opportunities to maximize organizational impact.
- Crafting Compelling Donor Communications: Exceptional writing and storytelling skills to create persuasive proposals, reports, and communications that resonate with diverse institutional funders and align with their goals.
- Building and Sustaining Donor Relationships: Demonstrated success in cultivating and nurturing long-term relationships with institutional funders and high-net-worth individuals, applying Moves Management principles to deepen engagement.
- Tracking Impact and Delivering Results: Proficiency in monitoring, analyzing, and reporting the outcomes of funding initiatives to ensure compliance with funder expectations and communicate their impact effectively.
- Leading with Collaboration and Vision: Strong leadership and management abilities, fostering collaboration and cohesion within the team while aligning fundraising efforts with organizational strategic goals.
- Exercising Sound Judgment and Integrity: Excellent decision-making skills and discretion in handling confidential information, with a focus on creative problem-solving and professionalism.
- Maximizing Efficiency through Organization and Technology: Advanced organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and leverage donor management tools like Salesforce to track progress and results.
- Advancing Mission-Driven Outcomes: Deep alignment with MCHT’s mission and values, with the ability to communicate strategic implications of institutional giving efforts to executive leadership and the board.
- Thriving in a Dynamic Environment: Flexibility to excel in a deadline-driven, fast-paced setting, with the ability to travel and adapt to varying needs and priorities.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, MDI and Whiting, Maine. The location of this position is flexible. Regular travel to all offices is expected. Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, and other office equipment.
This is a permanent, full-time position with a generous benefits package including insurance, vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $87,000 to $105,000 and will depend upon experience.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by November 3, 2025. Please use “Director Institutional Giving” in the subject line.