Associate SCLF Officer

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an Exempt, Full-time position that will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities, developing competitive proposals, building a portfolio, and stewarding relationships with state agencies, local governments, community foundations, and targeted federal programs.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country's 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

Position Function: The Associate SCLF Officer (State, Local, Community Foundation & Federal) will secure public and philanthropic funding that drives high-impact conservation outcomes across National Forests. This position reports to the Senior Director of Institutional Giving and plays a key role within NFF's Advancement team. Working in tight partnership with the regional Conservation Program leaders, this position translates on-the-ground project needs into compelling proposals aligned with regional priorities, local politics, and funder expectations. Many opportunities involve match requirements, making this role essential in leveraging public investment with private philanthropy.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Associate SCLF Officer will:

Grant Identification & Pipeline Development

• Research and track funding opportunities from state agencies, local governments, special districts, community foundations, and specific federal programs. This work will be done in across U.S. Forest Service Regions 6/10 (Pacific Northwest and Alaska), 5 (California), and 9 (Eastern).
• Build and maintain a proactive grant pipeline across multiple geographic regions where NFF operates.
• Evaluate alignment between potential opportunities and NFF's conservation strategies and project priorities.

Proposal Development & Grant Writing

• Develop high-quality, competitive grant proposals, including narratives, work plans, budgets, deliverables, and community-benefit framing.
• Collaborate closely with Conservation Program Managers to source technical details, scope project needs, and ensure proposal accuracy and feasibility.
• Tailor messaging to diverse audiences—from local city councils to state resource agencies to community foundation boards—taking into