About the International Iguana Foundation

The International Iguana Foundation (IIF) is a small, board member-led organization that works to conserve and restore iguana populations and their habitats through strategic partnerships, science-based action, and long-term community empowerment. As the world’s only organization dedicated solely to iguana conservation, the IIF supports programs across the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Pacific that protect the world’s most endangered and iconic iguana species.

The Director of Advancement will be the organization’s primary lead on fundraising, strategic partnership development, and donor relations, working closely with the Board of Directors and staff to grow philanthropic investment and impact in iguana conservation.

Position Summary – Independent Consultant

The Director of Advancement will establish and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy and plan to increase revenue to meet IIF’s strategic goals, including major donors, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, events, and campaigns. This contract requires someone who is comfortable working independently to provide deliverables in strategic planning, donor cultivation, and public relations.

The Director will be accountable to the Board President and collaborate closely with an Executive Committee consisting of Board officers and staff, as well as individual Board members engaged in fundraising and community engagement. Expected to be available for regular virtual meetings during normal working hours.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, ideally in conservation, animal-related, or environmental organizations.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership-level gifts in the conservation or environmental space ($5,000–$50,000+).
• Ability to manage a donor portfolio and build a fundraising program.
• Strong writing skills, including donor communications, proposals, and stewardship reports.
• Experience with donor management and CRM software.
• Experience writing grants and managing institutional funder relationships.
• Experience with strategic planning, partnership building, and external communications.
• Experience with US States Charitable Registration requirements.
• Ability to collaborate within a Board-led governance structure.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and comfortable working independently.
• Willingness to travel when needed.

Key Expectations:

Individual Giving

• Build and manage annual and major gift programs.
• Develop our portfolio of prospects and donors; conduct regular donor outreach meetings.
• Create individualized stewardship strategies and donor engagement plans.
• Lead seasonal appeals, digital campaigns, and targeted fundraising outreach.

Foundation and Corporate Partnership

• Research and identify partnership opportunities aligned with IIF’s mission, including grants.
• Write and submit proposals and reports.
• Maintain relationships with grant program officers, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Work with IIF’s Grants Manager as needed

Board Partnership

• Serve as the primary development liaison to the Board. Participate in regular zoom meetings with the Executive Committee.
• Prepare development reports and dashboards to present at biannual board meetings.
• Work with Board and staff on annual fundraising goals and strategic priorities.
• Support individual Board members in donor engagement, outreach, and stewardship.

Communications & Donor Engagement

• Provide high level guidance to Communications staff in the production of newsletters, donor updates, impact stories, and social media.
• Work with the Communications staff to maintain consistent messaging and brand alignment.
• Develop compelling fundraising collateral, case statements, and donor presentations.

Development Operations & Administration

• Work with the Board Treasurer to maintain donor records and ensure CRM accuracy; ensure gift acknowledgment and donor stewardship.
• Develop fundraising systems, calendars, and revenue projections.