Fundraising & Philanthropy Director — Role description

The Opportunity

Common Nature is being established to make nature connection a national priority. As a founding Director you will join a high-calibre, collaborative, cross-disciplinary Board during our vital establishment phase. You will have the opportunity to:

  • Help build the case for investment in Common Nature, using nature connectedness as a scalable, measurable health and environmental intervention.

  • Oversee our approach to securing philanthropic ‘seed’ funding.

  • Drive engagement with visionary donors who understand that the nature crisis requires a structural, cultural solution.

Key Responsibilities

You will provide the strategic drive to transition Common Nature from a vision to a funded reality. Specifically:

  • Philanthropic Strategy: Oversee the initial seed-funding strategy to support core operations and pilot delivery.

  • Funder Relations: Open doors to major donors, private sub-funds, and environmental foundations, acting as a key "pitch partner" for the Founder.

  • DGR & Governance Support: Work with the Treasurer to ensure our Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status is optimized for tax-deductible investment.

  • Partnership Development: Identify and explore 3–5 high-value partnership opportunities with cultural or corporate entities that align with our cultural transformation goals.

  • Case for investment: Help translate our "Theory of Change" into compelling, "shovel-ready" investment proposals.

About You

We are seeking a strategic leader with:

  • Proven Track Record: Experience in major gift procurement, capital campaigns, or social impact investment, ideally within the Australian NFP sector.

  • Strategic Networks: An existing network within the Australian philanthropic community and an ability to navigate the funding landscape.

  • Evidence-Led Persuasion: The ability to communicate the psychological science of nature connection as a tangible, high-impact investment outcome for both human health and biodiversity.

  • Values Alignment: A genuine passion for repairing the human-nature bond to support a thriving natural environment.

Commitment

  • Term: Initial 2-year term as a voluntary member of the Founding Board.

  • Time: Approximately 1–2 days per month.

  • Meetings: Attendance at quarterly board meetings (2-3 hours) and one annual half-day strategic workshop.

  • Remuneration: Common Nature is in its Establishment Phase and roles are currently voluntary while we seek operational funding. Common Nature intends to review remuneration models in the future.

To apply

Click here to apply via our online form. Feel free to contact us at contact@commonnature.org.au if you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further.