Application Guide
How to Apply for Chief Philanthropy Officer
at American Prairie
🏢 About American Prairie
American Prairie is a nonprofit working to assemble one of the largest nature reserves in the United States, restoring the Great Plains ecosystem and connecting people to the prairie through public access and education. It’s a mission-driven, entrepreneurial organization where philanthropy directly fuels land acquisition, conservation science, and community engagement at an unprecedented scale.
About This Role
As Chief Philanthropy Officer, you will own American Prairie’s comprehensive philanthropic strategy, leading a national fundraising operation that supports annual operations, campaign goals, and long-term financial sustainability. You’ll sit on the Executive Team, manage the VP of Philanthropy, and personally cultivate a portfolio of high-capacity donors while integrating philanthropy across all organizational priorities.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might include a morning executive team meeting to align on organizational priorities, followed by a strategy session with the VP of Philanthropy to review campaign progress and donor pipeline. In the afternoon, you might have a one-on-one with a major donor prospect, then collaborate with the marketing team on an annual fund appeal, all while managing remote communications and travel for donor visits.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who American Prairie Is Looking For
- Proven executive-level fundraising leader with experience designing and executing comprehensive philanthropic strategies for a national or large regional nonprofit, ideally in conservation, land trusts, or environmental causes.
- Track record of personally closing seven- and eight-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and family offices, with a strong network in conservation philanthropy.
- Skilled manager who has supervised senior fundraising professionals (e.g., VPs or directors) and built performance management systems, forecasting models, and accountability frameworks for a philanthropy team.
- Strategic thinker who can partner with marketing/communications to grow annual fund giving and who thrives in a remote, entrepreneurial, mission-driven culture.
📝 Tips for Applying to American Prairie
Highlight your experience leading comprehensive campaigns with specific dollar figures and outcomes (e.g., “led a $100M campaign that exceeded goal by 20%”) in your resume and cover letter.
Explicitly reference American Prairie’s mission and current initiatives (e.g., the 3.2 million-acre reserve goal) to show you’ve done your homework and are passionate about the cause.
Emphasize your ability to manage a remote team and work cross-functionally with marketing to grow annual fund giving, since this is a remote role with a dual focus on major gifts and annual fund.
Demonstrate executive team experience—mention board engagement, strategic planning, and how you’ve integrated philanthropy across other departments.
Use your cover letter to tell a story about a transformative gift you secured and how it advanced an organization’s mission, mirroring the impact American Prairie seeks.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your executive leadership in philanthropy, including managing senior staff and serving on leadership teams; (2) a specific example of a high-value gift you personally cultivated and closed, with details on strategy and impact; (3) your experience growing annual fund revenue in partnership with marketing; and (4) your genuine connection to American Prairie’s mission and why you’re excited to help scale its philanthropic support.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study American Prairie’s mission, history, and current strategic plan, including their goal to assemble 3.2 million acres and their public access initiatives.
- → Research the key leaders on the Executive Team and Board of Directors to understand their backgrounds and philanthropic priorities.
- → Review American Prairie’s recent financial reports, campaign announcements, and donor communications to understand their fundraising trajectory and major funding sources.
- → Explore the philanthropic landscape for conservation, including major funders and trends in land conservation giving, to tailor your strategy discussions.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on your ability to solicit gifts without demonstrating strategic leadership and team management experience, as this role requires both.
- Ignoring the remote aspect and not addressing how you’ve successfully led remote teams or managed distributed fundraising operations.
- Treating this like a generic fundraising role—failing to connect your experience to conservation, land acquisition, or the specific challenges of a geographically dispersed donor base.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to American Prairie!