Job Description
About Us
The American Energy Leadership Institute is a conservative energy policy research and advocacy organization. Our goal is to ensure America leads and dominates the 21st century. We promote solutions that accelerate US energy innovation, expand domestic energy production, reduce reliance on foreign adversaries, enhance our energy security, hold adversaries like China accountable for their emissions, win the arms race for new energy technologies, and contribute to the revitalization of America's manufacturing and energy production base.
We believe that America's interests are best served through a vigorous, competitive, and exuberant economy, a forward-thinking energy agenda that puts US interests first, and a conservative movement that plays offense to secure our nation’s economic, environmental, and national security priorities.
Given the longstanding cultural dominance of the environmental left—and their anti-capitalism and de-growth agenda—we aim to restore the American conversation on climate and energy, curb the epidemic of pessimism, especially amongst our youth, and invite the next generation into a more exciting, optimistic vision about our nation and its future.
Position Summary
AELI is seeking a Development Director to build and lead its fundraising function from the ground up. This is not a support role inside an existing development shop — it is the senior fundraising seat at AELI, responsible for setting strategy, building the donor pipeline, and translating the organization's mission into the resources it needs to scale. The Development Director will report directly to the President and will operate as a close strategic partner to leadership on growth, positioning, and funder relationships.
Location: Remote.
Compensation
AELI offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a growing benefits package. The base salary range for this position is $132,000–$156,000 annually, with increases aligned with organization growth.
Core Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership
Build and own AELI's overall development strategy, annual fundraising plan, and revenue targets, reporting progress directly to the President
Identify and prioritize the funding sources best suited to AELI's mission — major individual donors, family and corporate foundations, and energy-sector partners aligned with American energy leadership
Set the long-term vision for AELI's development function, including when and how to build out a development team as the organization scales
Donor & Partner Cultivation
Identify, research, and personally cultivate a portfolio of major donors, foundations, and corporate partners, managing the full pipeline through close
Serve as a primary external face of AELI's fundraising effort — representing the organization in donor meetings, briefings, and conferences
Build trust-based, lasting relationships with funders who share AELI's vision for energy security, innovation, and American competitiveness
Communications & Persuasive Writing
Draft compelling funding proposals, briefing materials, and donor correspondence that translate AELI's policy work into a clear case for investment
Partner with leadership and policy staff to ensure funding asks reflect AELI's current priorities and wins
Develop donor-facing materials, impact reports, and stewardship communications that reinforce AELI's optimistic, offense-oriented narrative
Operations & Reporting
Stand up and maintain a donor database/CRM appropriate to AELI's stage, ensuring accurate records of donor activity and giving history
Track and report on pipeline health, fundraising metrics, and progress against goals for the President
Manage development-related administrative functions — grant tracking, gift processing, acknowledgments — until the function grows enough to warrant additional support
Qualifications
Required
Five years or more of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, external affairs, or a related field
Demonstrated experience with prospect research and donor cultivation
Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines
Proficiency in donor database management (experience with Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar CRM preferred)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive writing for fundraising and external audiences
Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, professional, and relationship-first approach
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace
History of successful solicitation and ongoing management of relationships with family foundations and other grant-making institutions
Preferred
Familiarity with grant research tools such as Candid/GuideStar or Foundation Directory Online
Experience with email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc.)
Knowledge of Moves Management fundraising tactics
Demonstrated passion for American energy leadership, innovation, and security, and/or a conservative approach to climate and energy policy
Qualities & Attributes
Mission-Driven — Genuine commitment to AELI's vision of American energy leadership and its conservative, pro-growth worldview
Self-Starter — Able to work independently and take initiative with minimal supervision, especially given the lead nature of this role
Detail-Oriented — Meticulous attention to accuracy in data, writing, and follow-through
Adaptable — Comfortable navigating a dynamic, early-stage organization where structure is still being built
Collaborative — Team player who thrives in cross-functional partnerships with leadership and policy staff
Application Process
Please submit your resume/CV and a cover letter to hiring@aeliaction.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.