Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Vice President, Foundation Relations to lead foundation fundraising across the organization as part of our Philanthropy team.

What You’ll Do

As Vice President, Foundation Relations, you will provide executive leadership for American Forests' foundation fundraising strategy, driving significant revenue growth and building enduring relationships with leading national, regional, and family foundations. You will lead a high-performing foundation relations team, personally cultivate and secure major institutional commitments, and work closely with the President & CEO, senior philanthropy leadership, and program executives to develop ambitious, fundable initiatives. This role requires an experienced fundraising leader who combines strategic vision, exceptional relationship-building skills, strong management capabilities, and a demonstrated track record of securing significant philanthropic investments. Key responsibilities include:

Foundation Strategy and Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year foundation relations strategy aligned with American Forests’ strategic plan and annual revenue goals.
• Establish and achieve ambitious annual and long-term foundation fundraising goals in partnership with philanthropy leadership, with clear accountability for revenue growth, pipeline development, and performance.
• Identify and qualify new national, regional and community foundation prospects through research and network building, with a focus on funders in climate, conservation, environmental justice, public health and workforce development.
• Seek general operating and flexible support wherever possible while securing restricted funding for priority programs and initiatives.

Portfolio Management and Stewardship

• Personally manage a portfolio of top foundation partners and prospects, leading the full cycle of identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Build trusted relationships with foundation executives and program officers and position American Forests as a thought partner on forest and climate solutions.
• Prepare the President & CEO, senior staff and board members for funder meetings, and coordinate site visits, briefings and field tours that showcase our work on the ground.
• Ensure timely, high-quality stewardship, including impact reports, funder updates and recognition, to drive renewals and increased investment.

Proposal Development and Grants Management

• Lead and oversee the development of compelling, high-quality letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports, ensuring strategic alignment, accuracy, and persuasive cases for support.
• Partner with program and finance staff to develop project budgets, logic models and measurable outcomes, and ensure compliance with grant agreements and reporting deadlines.
• Ensure effective systems for grants management, portfolio tracking, revenue forecasting, and reporting, with clear accountability for accuracy and timely execution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership

• Work closely with Programs, Policy, Communications and Finance teams to identify fundable priorities and align proposals with program plans.
• Collaborate with corporate partnerships and major gifts colleagues to coordinate cross-channel strategies, including multi-partner and collaborative funding opportunities.
• Supervise, mentor and develop foundation relations staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Represent American Forests at philanthropic convenings, affinity groups and conferences to raise visibility among the funding community.

Department Leadership and Team Management

• Assess and strengthen the foundation relations team, including staff development, performance management, organizational structure, and the systems needed to build a high-performing fundraising operation.
• Set the vision, priorities and annual goals for the foundation relations department, and hold the team accountable through regular portfolio reviews and performance check-ins.
• Build and continuously improve the systems, templates and processes that support grant development, internal review and approval, and reporting.

What We’re Looking For

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

• At least 12 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, including seven years focused on foundation relations or institutional giving and five years of demonstrated fundraising team leadership.
• Proven track record of personally securing multiple seven-figure foundation commitments and consistently achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing institutional fundraising strategies, building relationships with major foundations, and securing complex, multiyear funding commitments.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams, including managing performance, strengthening accountability, and guiding organizational change.
• Proven ability to work across departments and build productive partnerships with program leadership, senior executives, and other fundraising professionals in a complex, matrixed organization.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize scientific, technical, and policy information into clear, persuasive narratives for funders.
• Skilled relationship builder, both internally with program staff and externally with foundation executives and program officers.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to work with a degree of flexibility in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Ensures ethical compliance with fundraising best practices, as defined by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• Computer proficiency with various Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), project management software, CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge), and prospect research tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; equivalent professional experience considered in lieu of a degree.
• Passion and commitment to the mission, vision, and culture of American Forests.
• A genuine and proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and to the principles of community-centric fundraising.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and be available for donor-related travel locally, regionally, and nationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships with funders in the environmental, climate, and conservation philanthropic landscape.
• Familiarity with forestry, natural resources, urban greening, or climate resilience issues.
• Experience with collaborative or multi-partner grants and with campaign fundraising.
• Experience at a national nonprofit with field programs across multiple regions.

Reporting and Supervision

The Vice President, Foundation Relations reports to the Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Philanthropy. This position leads and supervises the foundation relations team and works closely with the President & CEO; with the Programs, Policy, Finance, and Marketing & Communications teams; and with corporate partnerships and major gifts colleagues.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position. The budgeted salary is between $150,000-160,000.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional perks, such as a technology stipend and pet benefits, further enhance the overall employee experience.

Working Conditions

This is a remote position open to candidates based anywhere in the United States. Up to 20% travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington, D.C. may be required, including for funder meetings, site visits, and conferences.

This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods and to operate a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job.

About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years.

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.