The Savanna Institute invites applications for a Director of Philanthropy. This position leads the organization's relationship-based fundraising efforts, cultivating and securing philanthropic support from major individual donors, private foundations, and corporate partners to advance the growth of agroforestry across the Midwest.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Director of Philanthropy serves as Savanna Institute's primary frontline fundraiser. The position develops and manages a portfolio of prospects, high-capacity donors, and institutional funders, builds trust-based philanthropic partnerships, and works collaboratively across the organization to align funding opportunities with strategic priorities.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of people who have the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development. To that end, we are seeking a diversity of voices at the table and strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Who We Are

The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Madison, WI and Urbana, IL. Established in 2013, we work in collaboration with farmers, businesses, and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, we envision a transformed agricultural system, centered on trees and other perennial crops, that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant, equitable communities. For more information, please visit savannainstitute.org.

Job Description

Hours: full-time

Location: Remote, located within one hour’s drive of Madison, WI or Spring Green, WI

Start Date: November 2, 2026

Salary: $75,000-$87,000, based on experience

This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays, 480 hours (12 weeks) of parental/disability leave annually, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a monthly home office stipend, and a cafeteria-style benefits plan that includes as options: a monthly stipend that can be used for either reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, a dependent care pre-tax account, a flex spending account, and/or a health savings account.
This position reports to the Senior Director of Advancement
This position is primarily remote, but includes regular travel for in-person donor engagement

Deadline: All applications must be received by 11:59 pm CT on September 6th, 2026.

If you're excited about this job, we're excited to learn about your experience! Please be sure to address each of the required qualifications in your cover letter — paint us a picture of how your unique skills, experiences, and/or education meet or exceed the qualifications. Cover letters should be no longer than 1 typed page.

Questions?

Email Kathleen Fitzgibbon, Assistant Director of Administration kathleen@savannainstitute.org.

Duties/Responsibilities

Philanthropic Facilitation and Relationship Management (60%)

Develop long-term relationships with individual donors, private foundations, and corporate philanthropy partners to find alignment and opportunities to accomplish shared goals for conservation, rural development, the food system, and the climate.
Partner with executive leadership and other staff and volunteer relationship managers to develop multi-year engagement strategies for the organization's highest-capacity donors and funders.
Coordinate donor visits, farm tours, presentations, and other relationship-building opportunities with organizational leadership and program staff.

Foundation & Corporate Fundraising (25%)

Develop funding strategies for unrestricted, capacity-building, and strategic initiatives while collaborating with the Senior Director of Programs on program-specific funding opportunities.
Prepare compelling proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, and stewardship reports for institutional funders in collaboration with program staff and the Grants Manager.
Identify and cultivate new philanthropic opportunities that align with organizational priorities.

Portfolio Management (10%)

Track fundraising activity, proposal pipelines, and donor engagement using the organization's CRM (Bloomerang).
Analyze portfolio performance and recommend adjustments to fundraising strategy based on donor feedback, funding opportunities, and organizational priorities.

Overhead and Other (5%)

Participate in related staff and team planning meetings
Complete administrative tasks related to the position
Other duties as assigned by the Advancement Team

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of developing new relationships and securing major gifts.
Experience writing successful grant proposals and creating impact reports for post-award grant management.
Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse group of donors and key stakeholders, and communicate in a clear, compelling, and persuasive manner.
Experience with donor databases and fundraising software.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and growing organization.
Willingness and ability to travel (not more than 15% of time).
Access to personal transportation for occasional work-related travel to sites only accessible by car.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated success securing planned gifts using a variety of giving vehicles.
Experience with capital campaign feasibility studies, strategy, and messaging.

Benefits

This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays, 480 hours (12 weeks) of parental/disability leave annually, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a monthly home office stipend, and a cafeteria-style benefits plan that includes as options: a monthly stipend that can be used for either reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, a dependent care pre-tax account, a flex spending account, and/or a health savings account.

About Savanna Institute

Founded in 2013, the Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with farmers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development.

How To Apply

Submit a resume/CV and cover letter to the position on our jobs page: https://www.savannainstitute.org/jobs/

Diversity Commitment

The Savanna Institute affirms the value of diversity of staff and stakeholders, and aims to foster inclusive environments and equitable outcomes of our work. We seek individuals who are committed to these goals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.

Savanna Institute

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