Stewardship and Donor Engagement Manager

Taproot Earth

Born out of the impacts and reality of Hurricane Katrina and legacy of the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy, Taproot Earth is a global climate justice organization founded in on 2022 to create connections and power across issues, movements, and geographies to build the liberation horizon - a world where all people can live, rest, and thrive in the places they love.

Taproot Earth builds power and cultivates solutions among frontline communities across the US Gulf South, Appalachia, and the global Black Diaspora, advancing climate justice through Black Liberation and democracy. As a sunset organization, Taproot Earth seeks to take bold steps to address the climate crisis by building and strengthening collective governance and stewardship of resources by 2030.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As the Resource Stewardship and Funder Engagement Director, you will work with the Senior Leadership Team to develop, steward, and manage Taproot Earth’s domestic and global funder relationships. This role requires a strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple development tasks simultaneously. You will be responsible for managing funder relationships, facilitating internal communications related to funder engagement matters, managing analysis and reporting on funder stewardship and engagement goals, and outcomes, and maintaining timely and effective development operations.

Reporting directly to the Executive Team and working closely with other organizational leaders, advisors, and vendors, the Resource Stewardship and Funder Engagement Director will be essential in building and strengthening relationships across the funding landscape. While this position does not have direct management responsibilities, it requires a proactive, strategic thinker who is aligned with our values, passionate about our mission, and eager to contribute to our financial and organizational development. The ideal candidate will have strong relationship cultivation skills and proven experience in domestic and global fundraising, however a requirement in domestic or global fundraising is necessary. Candidates should have excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across teams to support organizational growth and efficiency.

This is a new, fully remote US-based position with priorities that may shift over time. However, a preference for location in New York, Philadelphia, or easy access to Taproot Earth leadership and airport will be necessary for travel and engagement. The initial focus will be:

FUNDER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Cultivate and build new funder relationships and nurture existing funder relationships through an emerging community of practice; Taproot Earth sees funders as part of its community and ecosystem.
• Curate spaces for Taproot Earth’s funder community of practice to build common understanding and deepen relationships. Taproot Earth creates opportunities to strengthen alignment with funders through strategy and action.
• Manage Taproot Earth’s participation in strategic engagement opportunities, such as executive-level meetings, donor and foundation events, speaking opportunities and special events.
• Support relationships between Taproot Earth’s leadership and krewe with donors and funders.
• Support the Manager of Database and Fundraising in strengthening systems and platforms for fund development.
• Streamline internal feedback loops and communication channels in order to ensure that relevant teams across Taproot Earth are adequately consulted and/or briefed on funder engagement, intel, and news.
• As requested by the Senior Leadership and Executive Team, secure meetings with potential funders. Support teams in developing talking points and presentations to communicate their technical expertise and programming.
• Continuously seek out opportunities to share information with funders and partners that advance Taproot Earth’s reputation and value in the climate justice community.

DONOR INTELLIGENCE & STRATEGIC ANALYSIS

• Consult regularly with key teams across Taproot Earth and develop a strong understanding of relevant programs, expertise, and funding priorities.
• Provide support in analyzing Taproot Earth policy and positioning, identify priority countries and thematic areas, and provide strategic guidance and support to senior leadership, including operational, technical, and regional directors.
• Monitor and track donor trends, including updates to funder policies, strategic approaches, regulations, and requirements. Provide support in advising the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on the impact of key funding approaches and regulations. Identify specific risks and possible mitigation measures.
• Work with relevant krewe to strategically leverage program results for future positioning.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION

• Work with consultants, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Krewe in building out a fundraising strategy to create a sustainable plan for funding through 2030 to support a successful sunset organizational effort with impact
• Partner with Taproot Earth formations to build out fundraising strategic plans for community controlled funds within the Reef Project Ecosystem - which includes the Gulf South to Appalachia Community Controlled Fund and the Global Climate Reparations Fund, among others
• Support in the program design and advocacy plan for climate justice finance investments as a part of the Global Climate Reparations Initiative, including informing and shaping how existing systems of resources can be raised and moved through community-governed approaches.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• N/A

OTHER DUTIES AS NEEDED

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate for this role embodies a deep passion for Taproot Earth's mission and values, dedicated to advancing racial equity and transformation. They thrive in a dynamic and evolving organization, demonstrating adaptability and resilience. Upholding high standards of ethics and professionalism, they prioritize confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive information. Moreover, they are proactive and innovative, consistently contributing inventive ideas and solutions to optimize organizational processes and drive impactful outcomes. They are excellent at managing relationships with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

You’ll contribute to Taproot Earth’s mission and vision by …

Purpose: The Stewardship and donor Relations Manager will manage engagement and stewardship with new and prospective donors.

Engagement: The role will strengthen strategic relationships with donor stakeholders to deepen relationships, grow shared understanding of climate justice work, increase funding, and advance Taproot Earth’s visibility and brand recognition with current and prospective donor stakeholders.

Delivery: This position will work to increase the ability of Taproot Earth to effectively pursue institutional, philanthropic, and individual donor funding by developing resources and delivering practical guidance about donor processes, policies, and requirements.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

While no candidate will possess every quality, the successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. Even if you aren’t sure but are excited about the position, we encourage you to apply!

• Minimum of 5 years working with an international organization in a program management or leadership position. Ideal candidates possess a Strong understanding of both domestic and international climate justice funding policies, priorities, and processes, and a strong existing network of contacts, however, one is required.
• Frontline community experience working in US and global community-based development settings and a solid understanding of humanitarian principles and current global sectoral issues.
• Excellent relationship cultivation and management skills
• Strong representation skills and ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations to senior-level stakeholders, managers, and all krewe.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, budgetary oversight, proposal development, and compliance.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including demonstration of cross-cultural awareness, diplomacy, a strong equity analysis, and tact.
• Ability to work independently and under tight deadlines, and to multi-task.
• Patience, positive attitude, and strong interpersonal and coordination skills.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Excellent knowledge of Google Office Applications.
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Fluency in French, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Swahili would be a strong asset.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. Professional certifications are appreciated.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time salaried position. The salary range for this position is between $85,000 - $120,000. Benefits include 11 paid holidays, unlimited paid time off, health insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and up to 3% of salary employer contribution to 401k retirement plan.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this position, please submit a Taproot Earth Career Application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Taproot Earth is an equal opportunity employer and we strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Taproot Earth is firmly committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) laws and strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, height and/or weight, disability, gender identity or expression, medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related conditions, marital status, partnership status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status, arrest record and any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. While performing the responsibilities of the job, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Why Join Us?

• Mission-Driven Impact: Be part of a global movement for climate justice and contribute to meaningful, lasting change.
• Remote Flexibility: Work from anywhere from the U.S. while helping to shape the future of virtual collaboration and environmental advocacy.
• Growth & Development: Opportunities for professional development, training, and growth within a forward-thinking, innovative team.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a diverse, passionate team committed to equity, justice, and sustainability in everything we do.

Thank you!

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this job description. We’re looking forward to getting to know you!