Job Description

National Park Foundation | Senior Director of Leadership Giving

Remote

ABOUT NPF

The National Park Foundation (NPF) is a leader and catalyst in safeguarding America’s 430+ national parks and ensuring they are accessible and welcoming for everyone, forever. In 1967, NPF was chartered by Congress as the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service (NPS) to leverage private and public funding to preserve and fortify America’s most beloved and iconic places, from Yellowstone National Park to the Statue of Liberty National Monument. NPF raises this financial support through a national community of donors and partners, whose passion for these natural and cultural sites allows us to advance our mission. Today, NPF’s work is led by over 130 staff members, and it raised $287M+ in FY24.
While NPF is the national nonprofit of NPS, the organization works closely with hundreds of partners across the country to further protect these cherished places. Like NPF, the over 470 park partners support individual parks through philanthropic giving, program and service management, volunteer engagement, staff and operations, and much more.
We are pleased to share this unique leadership opportunity, offering a once-in-a-lifetime role and the chance to be part of an organization that will bring the national park experience to all Americans and preserve the spirit and story of this nation for future generations.

A COMPELLING OPPORTUNITY AT A DEFINING MOMENT

This is a singular moment in time for the National Park Foundation (NPF) and its Leadership Giving program. As the philanthropic partner to the National Park Service (NPS), NPF operates at the intersection of tradition and innovation, advancing programs that enhance visitor access, improve park infrastructure, and connect more people to the full breadth of America’s national parks. NPF’s $1 billion Campaign for National Parks is in full stride and will reach its goal three years early! Currently, there is discussion about possibly increasing that goal as part of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned fundraiser to play a pivotal role in a nationally significant movement that spans culture, community, and conservation.

National parks are our shared American legacy and will be the imagery behind the sesquicentennial and 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. This milestone moment presents a historic opportunity to unite Americans in supporting our national parks through philanthropy. NPF is excited to engage and partner with DAF sponsors, family offices, foundations, and philanthropists to inspire gifts to the nation through the national parks. Collectively we are prioritizing signature projects, affordable and accessible housing for park personnel and seasonal workers, investing in capacity building of the more than 450 park partners across the country, fostering creativity through innovation grants to park partners and other community groups to drive meaningful changes that future-proof our parks, and supporting the reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund through the America the Beautiful Act to ensure we continue to invest in ongoing maintenance and infrastructure projects in the national parks and other public lands.

The Senior Director of Leadership Giving will join NPF at a period of rapid evolution. The Foundation has grown significantly in sophistication, ambition, and philanthropic reach over the past few years. Now focused on raising $200 million annually by FY28, NPF is developing creative and nimble approaches to engage high-net-worth individuals in ways that are bold, strategic, and deeply aligned with donor values. This role is not simply about managing a portfolio; it is about shaping the future of leadership philanthropy and inspiring others to imagine what is possible through partnership with the parks. Foundation leadership is focused on developing and deploying modern, innovative, and future-proof fundraising strategies, systems, and tools, including a donor-advised fund, as well as exploring landmark investment opportunities.

Stakeholder input affirmed the importance of this role in navigating complexity with agility and grace. The Senior Director will be tasked with stewarding ultra-high-net-worth donor relationships in a rapidly changing environment where shifting federal priorities, evolving donor interests, and expanding internal systems converge. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Leadership Giving, a proven leader who has set a new standard for donor engagement and secured transformative gifts, the new Senior Director will benefit from strong mentorship, strategic clarity, and significant institutional momentum.

This is a compelling challenge for someone who thrives on enterprise-wide collaboration, brings intellectual curiosity to every conversation, and is energized by building something enduring. With NPF’s Executive Leadership Team and Chief Philanthropy Officer committed to innovation, strategic thinking, and shared success, this role offers the chance to lead from within.

This is an opportunity to collaborate with visionary leaders and donors alike to drive meaningful, lasting change across a system that continues to inspire millions. This is a rare and powerful moment to step in for a seasoned fundraiser eager to influence national priorities and help lead one of the most ambitious philanthropic efforts in NPF’s history. Each year, approximately 20% of NPF’s annual revenue and 34% of the team’s goal is derived from leadership gifts, and the team’s philanthropy continues to grow.

THE ROLE
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Leadership and Planned Giving, this person will partner with and be supported by the Senior Coordinator, Leadership Giving. They will ensure every donor in the leadership giving pipeline has a strategy and the opportunity to make a difference. The Senior Director will prioritize closing leadership gifts ($1M+) to meet revenue goals, expanding the community of leadership giving donors to ensure a robust donor pipeline, collaborating with NPF colleagues and partners to amplify impact, and support the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and their efforts to meet with philanthropists across the nation.

The Senior Director will support NPF’s annual revenue goals through a proactive, collaborative, intentional approach to portfolio management, donor strategy and cultivation, proposal writing, solicitations, and stewardship. They will focus a significant amount of their work (40-50%) on donor identification, discovery, and cultivation, to increase donor giving and grow the leadership giving portfolio. The Senior Director will serve as a thought partner to the Senior Vice President and the Chief Philanthropy Officer in developing and implementing donor strategies. The Senior Director will partner with members of the Philanthropy Team, the Office of the President, and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to deepen engagement with the Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinet, and National Council.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, COMPETENCIES

• A proven, successful track record of closing seven and eight-figure gifts.
• Ten plus years of portfolio management and principal gift solicitation experience.
• A thorough understanding of the influencers of HNW and UHNW philanthropy, including but not limited to family, business, and life transitions.
• Applied knowledge and success navigating the structure, systems, and strategies through which HNW and UHNW donors deploy their financial philanthropy, including but not limited to family offices, donor-advised funds, private foundations, and program-related investments.
• Knowledgeable at a high level when communicating with donors about planned giving, and experienced in soliciting donors for annual support, a current-use restricted gift, and a legacy gift.
• Ability to effectively partner with NPF program staff and NPF park partners to build donor relationships and foster long-term philanthropic support.
• Sound judgment in maintaining confidential donor information and the ability to act with discretion, self-assurance, and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and manage multiple projects, and meet associated deadlines; ability to innovate and have patience in a rapidly growing organization.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills combined with extreme attention to detail and the ability to accurately prepare and proofread written materials, correspondence, and reports.
• Raiser’s Edge NXT or a similar CRM is preferred.
• Ability and flexibility to travel for donor meetings, NPF, and park partner meetings and events.
• Knowledge of the National Park Service, cultural, or natural heritage organizations is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced education preferred.

DESIRED START DATE & LOCATION

This remote, traveling role begins in Fall 2025 and focuses on direct donor engagement. Quarterly travel to Washington, DC, is required. Preferred candidates are in Colorado, Illinois, and Texas, with strong preference for those in the Midwest, Central, and Southeast regions. NPF can hire in AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, MA, MD, MN, NC, NH, NM, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The National Park Foundation has retained Kay Linder, a Partner within ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division, as our recruitment partner.

Kay Linder, Partner, Nonprofit Division
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
klinder@thinkingahead.com

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