Application Guide
How to Apply for Associate Director of Development - West Coast Region
at Hadassah, WZOA, Inc.
🏢 About Hadassah, WZOA, Inc.
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is a unique volunteer-driven organization with a global impact through its support of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel. Working here means contributing to world-class healthcare, education, and social services while being part of a passionate community of women and supporters. The organization's rich history and mission-driven culture offer a fulfilling environment for development professionals.
About This Role
As the Associate Director of Development for the West Coast Region, you will be the frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of 150-200 donors, focusing on annual giving and major gift cultivation. This role is impactful because you'll directly grow philanthropy that funds life-saving medical care and innovative research in Israel, while collaborating with dedicated volunteers and staff. Your work will strengthen Hadassah's presence on the West Coast, a key region for donor engagement.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing Salesforce reports to track donor engagement and prioritize outreach. You could meet with a volunteer leader to plan a cultivation event, then spend the afternoon making thank-you calls to recent donors and drafting a tailored proposal for a potential major gift. The day might end with updating donor records and preparing materials for an upcoming regional campaign.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Hadassah, WZOA, Inc. Is Looking For
- A seasoned fundraiser with 3-5 years of development experience, ideally in annual giving or major gifts, who is comfortable with data-driven strategies and donor portfolio management.
- A collaborative team player who thrives on working with volunteers, providing them with tools and support to successfully cultivate and solicit donors.
- Tech-savvy and organized, with proficiency in Salesforce or similar CRM, and skilled in using MS Excel for tracking and reporting on donor metrics.
- Passionate about Hadassah's mission, with an understanding of Jewish philanthropy or Zionist causes, though not required, and excellent communication skills to articulate impact.
📝 Tips for Applying to Hadassah, WZOA, Inc.
Highlight any experience with annual giving campaigns and donor cultivation plans, specifically using multi-channel approaches (mail, email, events).
Quantify your success in past roles, e.g., 'Increased annual giving by 15% over two years' or 'Managed a portfolio of 150+ donors and achieved 90% retention rate.'
Emphasize your experience working with volunteers, such as training them for solicitation calls or supporting their fundraising events, as this is core to the role.
If you have Salesforce experience, mention specific tasks like creating reports, tracking donor interactions, or managing campaigns. If not, showcase your ability to quickly learn new systems.
Tailor your cover letter to express genuine interest in Hadassah's mission—research the Hadassah Medical Organization and mention specific programs or values that resonate with you.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience in managing donor portfolios and developing cultivation strategies that increased giving levels.', 'Proven ability to collaborate with volunteers and staff to achieve fundraising goals, with examples of successful partnerships.', 'Familiarity with CRM databases (especially Salesforce) and data analysis to drive donor engagement decisions.', "Your alignment with Hadassah's mission of supporting healthcare and education in Israel, and your enthusiasm for working with a women-led organization."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Hadassah's website to understand the impact of its medical organization, including the Hadassah Medical Center's research and patient care.
- → Read about Hadassah's volunteer structure and how the organization engages women across the US, especially on the West Coast.
- → Look into recent fundraising campaigns or events hosted by Hadassah, such as the 'Hadassah Heroes' or 'Women for Women' initiatives.
- → Understand the demographics and giving patterns of the West Coast region, including any key donor communities or past major gifts.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Hadassah's specific mission or the West Coast focus, showing lack of research.
- Downplaying the importance of volunteer collaboration; this role is volunteer-driven, so neglecting to highlight that experience can be a dealbreaker.
- Failing to demonstrate data literacy or CRM experience, as the role requires meticulous donor tracking and reporting in Salesforce.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Hadassah, WZOA, Inc.!