Pheasants Forever’s Jake Hanson Promoted to Development Officer

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce Jake Hanson as the organization’s newest development officer. Hanson, previously a regional representative in South Dakota, now serves the Midwest in his new fundraising capacity for the nation’s leading nonprofit upland habitat conservation group.

In his new role, Hanson will be responsible for working in collaboration with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever team members, donors, volunteers, and partners to expand private, corporate, and public funding relationships. Building a stronger culture of philanthropy among Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever constituents is a top priority, which includes but is not limited to — leadership gifts and major gifts, charitable bequests, corporate philanthropy, gifts of real estate and conservation easements, endowments and grant funding.

“While serving Pheasants Forever as a regional representative, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many generous supporters across the Midwest and it is apparent there is a great love for upland hunting and conservation all across the Great Plains states,” Hanson said. “I look forward to collaborating with our supporters to make a significant impact at the intersection of their vision, generosity, and the mission of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.”

Part of Hanson’s role will be to help Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Call of the Uplands® campaign with a finish strong. Call of the Uplands is the organization’s first-ever comprehensive, national campaign — a $500 million effort to cultivate the next generation of conservationists, enhance over 10 million acres of upland habitat, and accelerate permanent habitat protection while open lands to public hunting. The campaign will close its final chapter at National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis on February 17-19, 2023. 

“Jake has proven to be a tremendous asset to Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and our supporters. His passion for conservation was immediately apparent upon his initial hiring, and his background in philanthropy will help The Habitat Organization achieve major successes for the future,” said Jordan Martincich, Director of Development. “We’re lucky to have Jake as part of our organization and I’m excited for the impact he will have in his new position.” 

Hanson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies from Concordia College in 2011 and a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy and Resource Development from the University of Denver in 2022. He moved to South Dakota in 2015, where he founded the South Dakota Prairie Hills Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Prior to joining Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Hanson was a leadership recruiter for the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as the director of development for Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota. 

About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 567,500 habitat projects benefiting 22 million acres.

Media Contact
Casey Sill
(402)-657-4143
csill@pheasantsforever.org