The Bison Champs Project Coordinator is a vital member of the Wildlife Restoration (WRF) team of dedicated conservationists. Work to build WRF’s organizational capacity, resource base, and impact on the viability of our U.S. National Mammal, the American Bison, as you contribute your talents and experience to make the America250 (250th Anniversary of the United States) a reason to celebrate the bison’s comeback. This is both a fundraising and partnership development role.

Funds raised will benefit the WRF Bison Program [link], which includes partnerships with Tribal entities restoring bison herds and the North American Bison Summit 2026 (NABS2). The Summit (www.nabisonsummit.org) theme connects to National Mammal principles of Unity, Resilience and Health. It will illuminate threats common to wild bison conservation and family livestock ranching and identify an intersection of values like achieving grasslands restoration, drought resilience, and ecosystem health. The Summit will express the historic and cultural meaning of bison to Tribes and First Nations and the countries of the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

As a motivated and committed self-starter, you would serve on a fun and ambitious team of committed, like-minded peers who set individual and collaborative goals to fund the WRF Bison Program and Summit and drive actions that recognize bison as America’s National Mammal this fall and winter. 

The Bison Champ Project Coordinator will lead a group of Bison Champ Project Assistants to:

Research 

• Identify and profile businesses, teams, and other entities that use bison in their logos and/or brand imagery or that are inspired by rural America and family ranching
• Manage the Bison Champion Database with unique additions and current and specific contact information for follow up
• Oversee all Project Assistants, and allocate sectors for recruitment, reporting regularly to the WRF Executive Team

Outreach

• Proactively cultivate Bison Champions by email, with telephone follow up
• Use social media platforms to broadcast the invitation to become a Bison Champ by the time of NABS2
• Help manage and record the action challenge extended to contributing Champions 
• Track the progress and success of your approaches, correspondence, and Champion contributions with all entities assigned

Fundraise

• Set internal fundraising goals to be met by the team through contributions and events
• Organize and hold at least one fundraising event and recruit at least 10 Bison Champs yourself, as a team lead and example of what can be accomplished
• Work with the NABS2 leadership team to tie Bison Champs to Summit outcomes

The Project Coordinator will manage the process and protocol in the recruitment process of 100 Bison Champions from diverse businesses and organizations. The PC will assist the Bison Champs team in successfully confirming Bison Champs as a resource base and creating positive relationships with our new and previous sponsors, ensuring benefits of being a Bison Champ are received.

The Bison Champs Project Coordinator is required to designate 15-20 (flexible but defined) hours a week to WRF and agree to work with WRF for 6 months and be able to be onsite for the prep and during the proceedings of the Summit. This role is intended for an individual who is a self-starter, ambitious, creative, productive, and dedicated to WRF’s mission. The role provides an ongoing modest stipend, that is dependent on fundraising performance and success in achieving productivity of the team.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject preferred.
• Passion for wildlife and rural America and knowledge of conservation and/or agricultural practices required, with appreciation of the bison’s historical, cultural, and ecological role.
• Proven experience in planning and executing large-scale events or conferences and cold-calling
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel required, with other technological skills (e.g., Wix and Canva) a plus.
• Comfortability with corresponding and talking with donors.