Application Guide

How to Apply for Vice President, Corporate Partnerships

at American Forests

🏢 About American Forests

American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the U.S., with a 150-year legacy of creating healthy and resilient forests. Their work spans from urban green spaces to vast landscapes, directly addressing climate change, water security, and biodiversity. Joining means contributing to a mission that has real, lasting impact on the planet.

About This Role

As VP of Corporate Partnerships, you'll lead the strategy and execution of the corporate fundraising program, driving revenue growth through high-value partnerships. You'll manage a team of three, steward 50–70 corporate partners, and collaborate across the organization to align partnerships with mission-critical priorities. This role is pivotal in scaling American Forests' impact through sustainable corporate support.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team stand-up to review partnership pipelines and progress toward revenue goals. You could then meet with a prospective corporate partner's C-suite to pitch a multi-year sponsorship, followed by a cross-functional call with marketing and programs to ensure partner deliverables align with campaign timelines. Afternoons might involve reviewing a partnership agreement or mentoring a team member on a major gift strategy.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Forests Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 10+ years of experience, including 5+ in corporate partnerships or major gifts, with a proven record of closing seven-figure corporate gifts.
  • A strategic leader who has built and managed high-performing teams, fostering collaboration and accountability.
  • An exceptional relationship-builder who can engage C-suite executives and board members, navigating complex multi-stakeholder partnerships.
  • Passionate about environmental conservation and able to articulate the value of forest restoration to corporate partners.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Forests

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific seven-figure corporate gifts you've closed, including the company name, partnership structure, and outcomes.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience with American Forests' mission—mention their 150-year history and how your work aligns with their forest conservation goals.

3

Showcase your team leadership experience by describing how you've mentored fundraisers and driven a culture of excellence.

4

Prepare a brief strategic vision for corporate partnerships at American Forests—this demonstrates your proactive thinking and understanding of their needs.

5

Research their current corporate partners (e.g., Toyota, Bank of America) and mention how you would build on those relationships.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your track record of securing seven-figure corporate gifts and managing complex partnerships.', 'Your leadership philosophy and experience building high-performing fundraising teams.', 'Your passion for environmental conservation and specific reasons for wanting to work at American Forests.', 'Your ability to collaborate cross-functionally and align partnerships with organizational priorities.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review American Forests' website to understand their three core program areas: Healthy Forests, Urban Forests, and Forest Conservation.
  • → Study their annual report and recent press releases to see the impact of their work and corporate partner highlights.
  • → Look up their current corporate partners and analyze the types of partnerships (e.g., cause marketing, employee engagement, sponsorships).
  • → Read about the CEO's vision and any recent strategic plans to align your pitch with organizational priorities.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you closed a seven-figure corporate gift—walk us through the strategy, stakeholders, and outcome.
2 How would you approach building a pipeline of transformational corporate partners for American Forests?
3 Tell us about a time you managed a underperforming team member or turned around a struggling partnership.
4 How do you balance revenue goals with mission alignment in corporate partnerships?
5 What is your understanding of American Forests' current corporate partnerships and how would you expand them?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on your individual achievements without demonstrating how you built and led teams.
  • Using generic fundraising language without connecting to American Forests' specific mission and programs.
  • Failing to show understanding of the nonprofit conservation sector or the unique value of forest restoration.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Forests!

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