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Interview with Jennifer Bernstein: ​LOIS L. LINDAUER SEARCHES (LLLS) Partners with NRDC for Major Team Build-up​

The Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, is growing its Development team across the country. With regional offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco and Santa Monica, the environmental advocacy organization is gearing up to raise significant support and broaden its base to advance its work to protect our environment.

Chief Development Officer Jennifer Bernstein talks with LLLS about her team and why there’s never been a better time to consider if NRDC is an opportunity for you.

LLLS: NRDC has quite a few open positions right now. Can you tell us more about what is prompting this recent surge in hiring?

JB: As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2020, we are launching a significant, multi-year campaign. We are just now entering the silent phase, assessing our current generous donors and developing strategies for cultivating new prospects. We are fortunate to have more than three million members and activists across the globe who, collectively, represent an enormous base of advocacy, power and fundraising potential. Our membership has grown dramatically in the last two years and we think this is only the beginning. We hear every day from people who are deeply concerned about the future of our planet, especially for their children and grandchildren and they know that NRDC is singularly equipped to advocate for a healthy future and livable planet.

We currently raise around $150 million annually and we know that with more talented fundraisers and support staff, we can raise even more. We must. To respond to this urgent need to do more, we are ramping up our development team by 33% over the next year to ensure the success of this campaign and to take NRDC’s fundraising to the next level. One of the positions we filled is a Campaign Director to help us strategize how to accomplish this.

The timing seems particularly relevant. Can you talk more about that?

The risk to the environment, to our planet, has never been higher. Climate change is real and we must act now to avert its most dangerous impacts. The lifting of regulations against toxic chemicals in our air, food and water are having serious impacts on children’s health. Oil drilling makes us more vulnerable to serious industrial accidents that may cause irreparable harm to the surrounding lands, waterways and communities. Fundamentally, we believe that all people have the right to clean air, water and healthy foods. We believe that our pristine natural landscapes are worth protecting. We believe that we can create a cleaner and more beautiful world and that we can do it today. Many organizations claim they are changing the world, but at NRDC, we really are.

Share with us what makes working at NRDC so special.

We’re serious about saving the environment so we are all very committed to our mission. And we’re also very friendly and we have a lot of fun! People really enjoy working at NRDC and want to stay here for a long time. We have employees who have been with us for 10, 15 and 20 years.

We also offer competitive salaries, generous holiday and vacation schedules and healthcare packages. Each of our offices is centrally located in a desirable neighborhood and is easily accessible by public transportation. We even offer a few perks not found elsewhere, such as bicycle maintenance reimbursement if you ride your bike to work. And, our office recycling program is no joke!

What are you looking for?

We’re building our team of frontline fundraisers significantly, so we’re looking for Major Gifts Officers in most of our regional offices.

We are also looking for a Director of Development, Midwest, and Director of Development, Northern California. We’re really growing!

Who would you most like to see apply?

We need experienced fundraisers who care about a healthy world and are willing to work hard alongside an incredible group of colleagues dedicated to the same cause. If that’s you, we definitely want to talk to you.

View all NRDC job opportunities here.

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