Senior Philanthropy Writer, Donor Communications

Company Description

Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. Nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 5 million globally are WWF members.

Job Description

Major Function 

The Senior Philanthropy Writer contributes to the team’s creation of high-level individual donor concepts, proposals, stewardship reports, and other products that will educate and present a clear and compelling case for major and principal donor support of WWF’s conservation priorities. These donor-centric pieces must convey donor impact and the organization’s appreciation of transformational gifts. This position sits within the Donor Communications and Stewardship team in the Development Department’s Strategic Services division.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Collaborates across multiple teams and stakeholders to develop compelling proposals, reports, and other donor communications collateral for WWF’s highest-level individual donors and priority programs.   
• Writes and designs both generic and highly personalized narratives for WWF’s highest-level individual donors that accurately translate complex material into readable, informative, and compelling cases for support of WWF priorities.  
• Manages a dynamic portfolio of requested projects and owns the development of the assigned written materials from concept to completion. 
• Partners closely with gift officers and key program staff to proactively seek program opportunities and results that connect donor interests to WWF priorities to effectively develop written materials for donor cultivation and acquisition.  
• Works closely with Donor Communications & Stewardship team at large, other Development teams, institutional Communications colleagues, and program staff to share programmatic information, ensure consistent messaging and branding. 
• Updates donor assignment databases and ensures appropriate documents are filed in the knowledge management library help build robust resources for the team, relationship managers, and other WWF staff.    
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications

Key Competencies:

• Initiative: The ability to take proactive action without requiring constant direction or supervision. Demonstrates ownership, anticipates needs or challenges, pursues opportunities for improvement, and consistently follows through on responsibilities and commitments.
• Adaptability: The ability to adjust effectively to changing priorities, environments, technologies, expectations, or organizational needs while maintaining performance, professionalism, and productivity. Demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to learn new approaches in dynamic situations.
• Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration: The ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with individuals and teams across all levels of an organization. Builds positive working relationships, actively listens, shares information effectively, and collaborates to achieve shared goals and strengthen team performance.
• Solution-Oriented Partner: The ability to work cross-functionally to identify practical solutions that align with organizational objectives and long-term strategy. Approaches challenges with a proactive mindset, balances stakeholder needs, and contributes to decision-making that improves operational effectiveness and business outcomes.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: The ability to analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and develop creative, effective, and forward- thinking solutions. Demonstrates critical thinking, resourcefulness, and the ability to improve processes, systems, or outcomes through innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills and Abilities:

• A bachelor’s degree and 6+ years professional work experience:
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write in a range of voices and styles for varied projects with diverse audiences.
  • Experienced and dependable proofreader and editor. Fluency with style guides.
  • Demonstrated research skills.
  • Able to translate complex and technical information into clear, jargon-free language that conveys key messages.
  • Excellent visual sense for presenting written and visual content (photographs, data, graphics) in a compelling way for individual donors.
  • Donor database, design, and project management tool experience preferred.
• 4+ years of work MUST be specific to philanthropy writing:
  • Developing proposals, concepts, reports, and presentations for high-net-worth individuals and/or foundations or corporations; frontline fundraising
• Proven ability to quickly learn about evolving conservation issues and trends; demonstrate familiarity with conservation, environmental, or related sciences.
• Ability to efficiently synthesize content from different sources to create donor-friendly materials. Experience with technical or scientific writing is a plus.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, including urgent and high-level requests. Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and timeliness. Able to maintain composure and good humor under pressure. 
• Capability to build constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of colleagues, including leadership, across the organization (fundraisers, program experts, brand and goal communicators, external contractors, and other WWF staff).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and productively as a member of a team, and communicate clearly in a cross-functional, global organization environment. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, basic Excel. Capacity to learn emerging technologies.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Additional Information

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.