Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) is a public charity registered in Boulder, Colorado and London, UK, that supports grassroots activists and civil society organizations around the world working to address environmental and social justice in over 160 countries. GGF applies a participatory and decentralized model in making grants to grassroots groups through regional and thematic boards of advisors, global partner networks and independent funds, to support grassroots environmental and social justice action. Global Greengrants Fund believes solutions to environmental harm and social injustice come from people whose lives are most impacted. Every day, our global network of people on the frontlines and donors comes together to support communities to protect their ways of life and our planet. Because when local people have a say in the health of their food, water, and resources, they are forces for change.

In 2023, Global Greengrants Fund is amid a strategic journey in which we collectively center our values, including diversity, equity and inclusion, and organizational care in our work, and to rediscover our identity and potential after 30 years of work. We have experienced tremendous growth over the past two years and we are thoughtfully, yet rapidly, growing our annual grantmaking, our philanthropic advocacy, and our global partnerships and collaborations to new levels. This includes creating a globally networked learning organization and transforming our organizational culture to be more collaborative and self-steering – we call this our transformational journey. The Philanthropic Partnerships Officer(s) needs to understand the challenges and opportunities that come with these transformations and is able to remain flexible, steady, and adaptable while inspiring the team through change.

The roles

Global Greengrants Fund is looking to hire two dynamic Philanthropic Partnerships Officers, with experience working with grassroots or environmental movements, to join our fundraising team and help grow our diverse fundraising program. This full-time role is primarily focused on sharing the opportunity to invest in our mission – that is, getting out and talking to prospects about the impact of Global Greengrants Fund, the centrality of grassroots solutions for environmental and social justice, and generating results from those conversations, as well as deepening relationships with existing donors. The Philanthropic Partnerships Officer is responsible for securing revenue and helping to grow a diverse funding base for Global Greengrants Fund and network partners to grow its support of grassroots environmental and social justice organizations and movements. They will build and manage a diverse portfolio of existing and prospective donors. 

In taking up these roles, the successful individuals:

• Identify and prioritize qualified prospects
• Embrace the principles of community centric fundraising
• Own relationship management and strategy for all prospective and current donors in portfolio:
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goal between $3-$4 million annually.
• Manage and maintain non-financial relationships with partners in tandem with members of the program and leadership team.
• Participate in team collaboration and strategy around funding opportunities, as needed.
• Author donor materials as necessary
• Work with Program, Grants, Finance and Communications teams to secure appropriate project information and budgets, and create proposals and reports, as well as research and develop asks that will be used to secure gifts.
• Work with the UK Team on to develop and implement our global fundraising objectives
• Work with Advisory board members, independent funds, and other network partners to secure regional and thematic information and promote a shared understanding of that knowledge across the team

The Philanthropic Partnerships Officer is part of the Development Team and a member of the broader External Relations team. In the present accountability structures, they are line managed by the Co-Directors of Philanthropy while building and working in more self-organized and collaborative ways.

The candidate profile

Successful applicants will have significant relevant experience in similar roles in non-profit, environmental justice, development, feminist, gender, human rights organization, and/or funding organization. Demonstrated experience in fundraising, working with individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments, and experience soliciting 6-7 figure gifts. Crucially, being comfortable with outreach to donors, securing meetings, and soliciting gifts, they have a track record as a successful fundraiser. They are well-versed and updated on funding trends and key sources of philanthropic support and can articulate the importance of grassroots movements in shifting power and systems and thrives (and have delivered results) in relational fundraising, and they are a natural connector. They should have excellent interpersonal understanding, relationship building and interpersonal skills to build strong alliances with diverse constituencies and manage complex politics, positioning and relationships. They also thrive in a virtual environment, motivated to take on challenges and collaboratively find innovative and creative solutions.  

Personal characteristics

The successful candidates are committed to shifting power in philanthropy and promoting trust-based or power shifting approaches to philanthropy and grantmaking. They will be comfortable holding and articulating a radical vision that seeks to go beyond conventional thinking. They are transparent and adaptive with a commitment to lifelong learning and a drive to collaborate and co-create understanding that they are better for being part of a larger team and seeks out opportunities to engage others around strategy and support. They will have skills to give, receive and work with feedback constructively, with the intellectual and emotional resilience necessary to take up critical responsibilities for an international global organisation. Relevant lived experiences related to GGF’s work and community would be an advantage. Multiple language skills would be ideal, while English fluency is a must.

The right candidate will understand Global Greengrants Fund’s core values and be committed to the guiding principles and mission of Global Greengrants Fund and ensure they uphold them in the way they take up the responsibilities of the role.

Salary: Salaries at Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) are dependent on applicable salary scales, internal pay policies including equity considerations and budget. Due to the ways in which salary negotiations perpetuate existing structural inequities, GGF has moved away from salary negotiation processes for any candidate. We will make our best offer, and it will be the same regardless of the candidate. The salary range for this position for someone in the USA as per workband SP is between $102,800 and $115,000.

Benefits: Group medical and life insurances. Paid time off (10 vacation days in the first year, 12 sick days, four personal days and up to 11 paid public holidays). Contribution to retirement savings. Remote work and flexible work arrangements.

How to apply:

Please submit in English, a current CV, along with a cover letter explaining how why you want to work for Global Greengrants Fund, how you meet the requirements of the role. Please include “Philanthropic Partnerships Officer” in the subject line of the email and submit to careers@greengrants.org by October 22nd, 2023 at 23:00 MT. Please see the detailed Job Description by clicking here. If you’re intrigued by this position, but feel like you don’t fit the profile precisely, please still do apply. You can ask questions or seek further information to feel able to apply by writing to careers@greengrants.org.

We thank all those who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. To learn more about Global Greengrants Fund, please visit our website at https://www.greengrants.org/

Women; trans, non-binary and intersex persons; persons with disabilities and other candidates from historically oppressed groups, of all ages, are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Global Greengrants Fund is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Global Greengrants Fund are based on organisational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.