Organizational Profile
Becoming a Major Gifts Officer at the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is your opportunity to be part of a small but mighty team connecting the passion of our donors with one of the world’s most inspiring conservation programs – where your relationship-building strengths will help shape the future of one of the world’s most significant mountain landscapes. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a team-oriented effort between a U.S. non-profit organization and a Canadian public charity that together connect and protect habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so people and nature can thrive. Yellowstone to Yukon takes a scientific and collaborative approach to conservation, highlighting and focusing on local issues that affect the region. Y2Y has partnered with over 790 scientists, conservation groups, landowners, government agencies, Indigenous governments and communities and businesses, as well as many more donors and funders, to stitch together this landscape.
Without a unified vision for this deeply interconnected landscape, local conservation efforts may be isolated and less effective. Y2Y seeks to ensure conservation efforts are aligned in support of large-scale objectives and therefore become continentally significant. Today, Y2Y is recognized as one of the planet’s leading mountain conservation initiatives. For more information, please visit

Position Description
As the Major Gifts Officer, you play a hands-on role in developing and maintaining the donor relationships that enable our bold vision for large landscape conservation in Canada and the United States. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and working within the individual giving and broader development teams,



you plan and implement effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift givers and prospects, with a focus on soliciting individual donors.

This position should be based in a major urban area near an international airport. Ideally, positioned within or near the Y2Y region.

Responsibilities

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- Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors (including those with capacity to give $10,000+), building strong, trust-based relationships (various channels and in-person) that lead to increased philanthropic support for Y2Y (gifts and bequests)

- Develop and implement individualized donor strategies, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans, moving potential donors through ladder of engagement and making direct asks to support organizational priorities – ultimately with ownership of strategies from concept to completion, directly shaping outcomes that matter to our donors

- Identify opportunities for complex giving, including gifts of assets, planned gifts, and other non-cash contributions; confidently discuss such giving and related donor recognition options

- Work with Y2Y staff, leadership and advisors to gain a deep understanding of and package our program work, and to connect donors to the impact of Y2Y’s work and help build a culture of philanthropy,



ensuring clear and timely communication and coordination across teams

- Create and/or deliver effective and personalized communications to donors including letters, briefing notes, proposals, stewardship reports, and other targeted donor materials, and understand and use project budgets as needed

- Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the donor database and follow established relationship management practices and training, demonstrating sensitivity in handling confidential information

- Build and engage networks of ambassadors and volunteers as needed to support donor outreach and relationship-building

- When necessary to advance a philanthropic relationship, plan and execute small donor focused events (no major events/signature programming)

- Participate actively on internal and cross-functional teams and supervise/collaborate with support/administrative staff, interns and volunteers as needed

- Ensure compliance with Y2Y policies, financial standards, and external (donor/legal/financial and ethical practices, including Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards)

- Navigate effectively across U.S. and Canadian philanthropic environments, adapting strategies to different donor expectations and cultural contexts

- Represent Y2Y and/or participate in donor and partner interactions, including complex or sensitive negotiations, and making key decisions within your area of expertise, with support available when needed; recognize that decisions and communications may impact the organization’s public image or commitments

- Contribute to annual revenue targets of >$2 million (including major and planned gifts) and meeting goals for personal portfolio <

📌 Major Gifts Officer (Canada)
🏢 Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
📍 Canada