Application Guide
How to Apply for Institutional Giving Specialist
at Rainforest Foundation US
🏢 About Rainforest Foundation US
Rainforest Foundation US is unique because it centers Indigenous leadership in conservation, partnering directly with communities to protect rainforests and rights through tools and training, not top-down approaches. Working here means contributing to a mission that combines environmental justice with human rights, offering a chance to support frontline defenders in the Amazon and Central America.
About This Role
This role involves managing a portfolio of institutional donors (foundations, NGOs, government agencies) and writing competitive proposals to secure funding for RFUS's Indigenous-led initiatives. It's impactful because you'll directly enable resources for land security, environmental protection, and rights advocacy in critical rainforest regions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting a proposal for a foundation grant supporting Indigenous land mapping in the Amazon, updating a grant tracker with upcoming deadlines, and coordinating a kickoff call with RFUS program staff and community partners for a new funding opportunity. You'll balance research on donor priorities with stewardship tasks like report writing, all while collaborating remotely with a mission-driven team.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Rainforest Foundation US Is Looking For
- Has 4+ years of proven success securing grants from institutional funders like foundations or government agencies, with specific experience in environmental or social justice nonprofits.
- Possesses impeccable proposal writing skills in English, demonstrated through samples of successful grant applications, and can articulate complex, multi-stakeholder projects clearly.
- Is highly organized with experience managing grant trackers, deadlines, and program budgets, ideally in a remote or distributed team setting.
- Shows genuine alignment with RFUS's mission of Indigenous partnership and rainforest protection, not just general nonprofit fundraising experience.
📝 Tips for Applying to Rainforest Foundation US
Tailor your resume to highlight specific institutional grants you've secured (mention funder names, amounts, and purposes if possible), not just general fundraising duties.
Include a writing sample, such as a successful grant proposal excerpt (anonymized if needed), to demonstrate your ability to craft compelling narratives for environmental/rights causes.
Research RFUS's current projects (e.g., territorial monitoring, legal advocacy) and mention one in your application to show you understand their priorities beyond generic conservation.
Emphasize experience with multi-stakeholder coordination, especially for government grants, as this role involves complex funding opportunities.
If you have remote work experience, highlight your self-management and communication skills, as this is a fully remote position in the U.S.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why you're passionate about RFUS's specific model of partnering with Indigenous peoples, not just general environmentalism.", "Detail a past institutional fundraising success that aligns with RFUS's focus (e.g., securing a grant for community-led conservation or human rights work).", "Describe your approach to managing grant workflows and deadlines, giving a concrete example of how you've handled competing priorities.", 'Mention any familiarity with rainforest regions (Amazon/Central America) or Indigenous rights issues, even if indirect, to show cultural awareness.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → RFUS's current programs and partners (e.g., their work with the Maijuna people in Peru or territorial monitoring in Central America).
- → Recent institutional funders of RFUS (check their annual reports or news section for foundation or government grants).
- → Key challenges in Amazon/Central American rainforest conservation and Indigenous rights (e.g., deforestation drivers, land tenure issues).
- → RFUS's stance on issues like carbon credits or corporate partnerships, as this may affect funding alignment.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention RFUS's Indigenous partnership model or specific rainforest regions.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of institutional fundraising results (e.g., vague claims like 'managed grants' without details).
- Overlooking the remote nature of the role by not addressing how you'll communicate and stay organized without in-person supervision.
📅 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 Rainforest Foundation US!