About SPUN

The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) was founded in 2021 with a mission to map, protect, and harness the planet’s critical fungal networks. We are building the most comprehensive atlas of Earth’s mycorrhizal biodiversity, scaling and accelerating the speed of science around mycorrhizal fungi.

SPUN conducts scientific research to understand the diversity and functions of mycorrhizal fungi — the microscopic, network-forming, underground fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Our team of scientists and advisors includes the world's leading mycorrhizal fungi experts. We use our findings to educate individuals, companies, landowners, and governments on the importance of protecting and managing underground ecosystems. In collaboration with researchers and local communities, we are accelerating efforts to protect the underground ecosystems that have been largely absent from conservation and climate agendas, and exploring the impacts of mycorrhizal fungi in global restoration projects.

Why SPUN?

Work at the forefront of fungal science. We invite you to join SPUN's team of scientists and thought-leaders who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to protect our planet. SPUN prides itself on developing new techniques and pushing the frontiers of fungal biology from the micro-level to the global scale. We have been cited in the world's leading press and scientific journals for our groundbreaking work.

Develop partnerships with other leading institutes around the world. Applications of cutting edge research are limited without deep and collaborative partnerships. SPUN works hard to build partnerships with leading institutes in conservation, climate, and community-led action to build collective impact within our fields. We are looking to build a team of innovative, creative, and impact-driven myconauts who want to help bring our core science to the next level.

Contribute to decolonizing science. We aim to lead by example in promoting diversity and decolonial science. We are actively working to address biases in mycorrhizal science and endeavor to center the wellbeing of most affected people and areas in our research. In this regard, we prioritize under-researched areas and collaborators in the Global South for our work, while providing capacity-building grants and partnership opportunities with local researchers. We are also actively working with Indigenous communities in Chile and Ecuador, and will continue to expand our partnerships with other Indigenous communities, to integrate non-western Science ways of knowing into our work.

Work with a global team. SPUN’s team members operate from various locations worldwide, embracing remote work for flexibility and work-life balance. Our team’s global presence aligns with our research expeditions, which have taken us to remote ecoregions in Tierra del Fuego, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Corsica, the Atacama, and the Galapagos Islands.

About the Role

The Development Officer will have a crucial role at SPUN in supporting the team in developing a fundraising strategy, ensuring that SPUN can maintain a sustainable funding stream to support its growing team. This role will span multiple areas of work, including grants administration, proposal and report writing, implementation of fundraising strategy, and networking. Of particular importance will be the Development Officer’s work in maintaining relationships with current and prospective funders. The Development Officer will work closely with both the Executive Director and the Managing Director to support SPUN’s fundraising efforts for core organizational funding as well as project funding. The Development Officer will report to the Managing Director.

About You:

You have at least 5 years working in non-profits and/or start-up settings
Developing and executing fundraising strategies is one of your strong skill sets
You have experience with HNWI
You are passionate about working in climate and/or biodiversity fields
You are knowledgeable about the fundraising landscape in both the U.S. and the E.U.

Bonus Points:

You are tech-savvy
People describe you as creative, strategic and ambitious
You have excellent English writing skills
You have an established network of contacts within climate and/or conservation philanthropy

Your Day to Day

Fundraising Strategy

Create a focused and high-growth fundraising strategy designed to support the organization in meeting its strategic objectives
Ensure that future pursuits of fundraising are in line with strategy
Work with the Executive Director and Managing Director to identify high-priority prospective funders
Support the Executive Director and Managing Director by attending meetings with potential funders, taking notes, noting action points and areas of interest etc.

Grants Management

Manage timeline for grant reporting
Oversee and coordinate the preparation and writing of grant proposals with SPUN team members
Assist the Director of Finance to develop budgets for grants proposals
Partner with our Director of Finance to create annual, quarterly budgets and budget allocations based on grant funding
Coordinate reporting and proposal responsibilities with involved team members from science, communications, etc.

Funder Relations Building

Support the Executive Director in maintaining relationships with funders and high-priority partners, through communications, fundraising events, etc.
Work with the communications team to develop and enhance communications aimed at funders (website, print pieces, email content, story/pic/video library, frames)

Administration

Manage the workflow from initiating contact with prospective funders to submitting proposals and applications
Manage and update contact and organizations databases, with support from Executive Assistant

Compensation

SPUN offers competitive compensation based on experience and location

Benefits and Perks

Health coverage
Generous PTO
In-person team building in international locations
Computer purchase stipend
Opportunities to travel for work

We encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups to apply.

At SPUN, we embrace diversity as a fundamental pillar of our mission to protect underground ecosystems. Our commitment to decolonizing science is dependent on the diversity of knowledge and experience on our team and among our partners across the globe. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or background, feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We highly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented or repressed groups, including but not limited to women, LGBTQIA, individuals from the Global South, and individuals with Indigenous heritage, to apply to join our team at SPUN.

To learn more about our company and culture, please visit our website www.spun.earth.

Society for the Protection of Underground Networks

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Fundraising & Grants Manager