Vital Impacts: Vice President of Development

Senior-level fundraising or revenue leadership experience, with clear ownership of results; experience in founder-led or early-stage organizations strongly preferred

Minimum 5+ years at VP-level (or equivalent senior role) in a nonprofit

Proven track record closing $100K+ major gifts.

Experience fundraising across multiple channels or audiences

Demonstrated experience building fundraising strategy, relationships, and processes from the ground up

Passion for journalism and storytelling, including an understanding of how high-quality reporting is developed, supported, and funded; experience working with journalists, media, or storytelling-driven organizations is a plus

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Compensation:

Salary range starts at $175,000 and the final compensation will be based on experience and competitive with market rates.

Travel:

Occasional travel for donor cultivation

Vital Impacts is seeking a Vice President of Development to lead and expand the organization’s fundraising efforts during a pivotal stage of growth.

Working closely with founder and Executive Director Ami Vitale, the VP of Development will help translate the organization’s creative platform and global network into a scalable fundraising engine.

Ami’s work and relationships across the photography, conservation, and media worlds create an unusual opportunity to engage donors through powerful storytelling and artist-driven initiatives.

The VP of Development will lead the organization’s development strategy—cultivating major individual donors, expanding corporate and institutional partnerships, and strengthening systems for long-term philanthropic growth.

While Vital Impacts has already demonstrated significant fundraising success, the development function is still evolving.

This role will be central to building the structure, relationships, and processes that support the organization’s next phase.

Vital Impacts is a nonprofit founded and led by National Geographic Explorer-at-Large, photographer, and filmmaker Ami Vitale. The organization works at the intersection of storytelling, conservation, and education, supporting a global community of photographers and journalists who are documenting and protecting our planet.

While Vital Impacts began by mobilizing the photography community through fine art print sales to fund grassroots conservation efforts, the organization has evolved into a dynamic platform for mentorship, fellowships, and youth education programs that nurture the next generation of environmental storytellers and changemakers.

Today, Vital Impacts runs fellowship and mentoring initiatives that support emerging photographers and journalists around the world, providing training, resources, and a global network to amplify stories that matter. The organization also hosts a live speaker series for students in grades 5–8, connecting young people directly with leading photographers, scientists, and explorers to inspire curiosity, empathy, and environmental stewardship.

Since its founding, Vital Impacts has generated more than $3.7 million for community-led conservation efforts, supported over 1,000 journalists in 87 countries, and reached more than 35,000 students through its youth education initiatives.

As the organization enters its next phase of growth, Vital Impacts is expanding its fellowships, mentorship programs, and youth engagement efforts—building a global community of storytellers and leaders who are using creativity and collaboration to protect the future of our planet.

The Opportunity