Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

APPLICATION OPENS: April 06, 2026

Cannabis for Conservation (CFC) is a science-based 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit advancing ecological stewardship across private working lands in Northern California. We partner with landowners, communities, and public agencies to restore watersheds, improve forest health, and conserve wildlife for long-term rural resilience. Briefly, we manage a variety of grant-funded projects including assisting cultivators in obtaining state and county licenses, providing water collection and storage equipment to farms to decrease their reliance on surface water, and developing forest health plans to decrease landscape-level wildfire risk. 

Cannabis for Conservation is seeking to hire a Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships to lead implementation of the organization’s revenue strategy and institutional funding program. This role secures funding through public agency grants, private foundations, earned-income initiatives, and strategic partnerships that support CFC’s restoration, science, and education initiatives.

To apply for this position, please read the description below and submit your application materials using the linked Google form. If questions arise or you experience issues with the application process, please email info [at] cannabisforconservation.org.

Applicant Form: Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships Application
Or copy and paste this link: www.cannabisforconservation.org/careers

Position Description

The Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships leads the development and implementation of CFC’s revenue and institutional funding strategy, including public agency grants, philanthropic giving, and strategic partnerships. The role focuses on securing public agency grants, coordinating collaborative proposals, building strategic partnerships, and expanding the organization’s funding pipeline.

We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial candidate who is excited to help shape the next phase of growth for a rapidly scaling nonprofit. Over the past year, our organization has expanded by more than 250%, and we are looking for a leader who thrives in dynamic environments and is energized by building systems, partnerships, and fundraising strategies that sustain momentum.

The position also leads the development and implementation of CFC’s philanthropic giving strategy, including engagement with private foundations, individual donors, annual giving, and major donor opportunities. While philanthropic fundraising currently represents a smaller portion of CFC’s overall revenue, this work is intended to support the organization’s long-term funding diversification and financial resilience.

Working closely with program staff and leadership, the Director translates restoration and conservation projects into competitive funding proposals and cultivates partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit collaborators, and aligned stakeholders. The role requires the ability to interpret technical project information—such as streamcrossing designs, forestry practices, sediment management, and ecological monitoring—and translate technical concepts and project accomplishments into clear, compelling funding proposals.

The ideal candidate brings strong social awareness and emotional intelligence to their work, recognizing that successful fundraising is rooted in trust, authenticity, and meaningful relationships.

While the Director leads the identification, development, and submission of funding proposals, grant management, compliance reporting, and project implementation are handled by CFC program and administrative staff. The Director’s primary responsibility is maintaining sustained organizational and programmatic funding and securing resources that support future projects.

This position plays a strategic role in identifying funding opportunities, shaping project concepts, and positioning the organization for projects that may be implemented one to three years in the future.

Key Responsibilities

Institutional Funding Strategy

• Implement and maintain CFC’s development strategy, including public agency grants, private foundations, earned income, and collaborative funding opportunities
• Maintain and update the organization’s development pipeline, tracking funding opportunities, deadlines, and proposal status
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with CFC’s restoration, science, and education programs
• Work with the Executive Director and CFO to develop and implement organizational revenue strategies
• Collaborate with leadership to align the organization’s project pipeline with staffing capacity and program implementation timelines
• Support development of CFC’s philanthropic giving strategy, including cultivation of private foundations, individual donors, and major gift opportunities
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue through earned-income projects and partnership-based initiatives aligned with CFC’s mission and technical expertise

Grant Development and Proposal Management

• Develop and submit competitive grant proposals, concept papers, letters of intent, and supporting materials
• Coordinate with internal staff and external partners to assemble project narratives, budgets, and technical documentation
• Translate technical project concepts and field accomplishments into compelling funding proposals
• Manage proposal timelines, compliance requirements, and submission processes

Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration

• Build and maintain relationships with public agencies, foundations, nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders
• Coordinate collaborative funding proposals involving multiple organizations
• Represent CFC in meetings, conferences, and working groups to build partnerships and identify funding opportunities
• Engage with environmental, agricultural, and conservation networks to strengthen alliances aligned with CFC’s mission

Organizational Coordination and Strategic Planning

• Work with program staff to identify emerging project opportunities and align them with funding strategies
• Facilitate coordination between development activities and program implementation
• Contribute strategic insight to organizational planning, revenue diversification, and long-term sustainability

Communications and Outreach Coordination

• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to develop messaging for funders, partners, and stakeholders
• Ensure project outcomes and organizational accomplishments are translated into effective proposals and outreach materials

Education and Program Support

• Support implementation of CFC’s education initiatives, including workshops and webinars, in coordination with program staff

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit administration, environmental studies, environmental policy, communications, business administration, or a related field
• Minimum of seven years of nonprofit development experience, preferably within environmental or conservation organizations, including experience working with organizations managing multi-million-dollar program or grant budgets
• Demonstrated experience securing large institutional grants
• Experience coordinating complex funding proposals involving multiple partner organizations
• Strong organizational, writing, and project management skills, including proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and project management tools

Required Skills

• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex proposals simultaneously
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to translate technical information into compelling narratives
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with experience building collaborative partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to independently research, synthesize, and communicate complex information
• Strong financial literacy, including experience developing multi-year project budgets and understanding funding guidelines
• Ability to work independently and self-assign tasks while maintaining effective collaboration with internal teams
• Comfort working with interdisciplinary teams that include scientists, planners, engineers, and land stewardship professionals
• Strong communication skills and social literacy, group organizing, and stakeholder engagement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within environmental restoration, watershed, forestry, or conservation programs, including familiarity with public funding programs such as the Wildlife Conservation Board, Cannabis Restoration Grant Program, or CalFire
• Strong familiarity with California state funding sources within the environmental or conservation sectors
• Experience developing philanthropic strategies or strategic giving programs for organizations with annual operating budgets of $2 million or more
• Experience developing earned-income initiatives or partnership-based projects
• Familiarity with California environmental and climate action frameworks, including the 30x30 Initiative and the California State Wildlife Action Plan
• Knowledge of current and historic environmental priorities affecting land conservation, watershed restoration, and biodiversity in California

Timeline and Hours

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling to accommodate project timelines, deliverables, and occasional evening or weekend events. The position is based in Humboldt County and work will be conducted primarily from CFC’s office in McKinleyville, as well as through field activities and meetings throughout the region. Limited work-from-home flexibility may be available depending on project needs and the candidate’s schedule. This is not a remote position.

Because CFC’s work is grounded in the environmental and community context of California’s North Coast, successful candidates must live in Humboldt County and bring familiarity with the region’s landscapes, conservation priorities, and rural communities.

The position will be expected to attend local events and workshops, participate in partner meetings, and engage with community members and stakeholders in Humboldt, Trinity, and surrounding counties. Periodic travel to conferences and other regional events may also be required.

Reporting and Communication

The Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with program staff across the organization. This position does not supervise other staff but requires regular coordination with program directors, administrative staff, other CFC team members, and external partners to align development activities with project planning and implementation. Regular weekly check-ins and updates will be required to ensure alignment with project goals, with progress tracked and managed using the project management platform Asana to maintain clear communication and accountability.

Compensation

This is a full-time hourly position with a compensation range of $48–$63 per hour, commensurate with experience. Exceptional candidates with significant relevant experience may be considered above the posted range.

Benefits

Benefits included with this position are: two weeks paid vacation plus specific federal holidays (vacation benefits increase with employment time accrued); paid sick, bereavement, and maternity/paternity leave; health care; 403(b) retirement plan; flexible schedule; opportunities for paid professional development.