Application Guide
How to Apply for Capital Campaign Director
at Critical Resistance
🏢 About Critical Resistance
Critical Resistance is a national grassroots organization at the forefront of the movement to end the prison industrial complex (PIC). It uniquely combines direct organizing, advocacy, and the building of alternative community safety systems, making it a rare place where abolitionist theory meets practical, community-driven change. Working here means being part of a dedicated network of activists and organizers committed to transformative justice.
About This Role
As Capital Campaign Director, you will lead the 'Building People Power' (BPP) campaign, a multi-phase effort to secure major gifts that sustain CR's organizing and alternative programs. This role is impactful because it directly fuels the abolitionist movement by mobilizing significant resources from major donors, ensuring CR can continue its work of dismantling the PIC and building community-led safety solutions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the campaign team to review progress on donor outreach and upcoming events. You might spend the morning drafting a personalized proposal for a major donor, followed by a one-on-one call with a volunteer to discuss their network. Afternoon could involve analyzing CRM data to identify new prospects, then preparing a report for the board on campaign metrics and budget.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Critical Resistance Is Looking For
- A seasoned fundraiser with 5–7+ years of experience, specifically including 3+ years in capital campaigns or major gifts, with a track record of securing six-figure+ gifts and managing complex donor portfolios.
- Deeply aligned with CR's abolitionist values and committed to ending the prison industrial complex, with the ability to articulate this vision persuasively to diverse stakeholders.
- A strategic relationship-builder who can cultivate and solicit major donors ($10K+) while coordinating engagement across staff and volunteers, and is comfortable with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
- An excellent communicator and writer who can craft compelling cases for support, track campaign progress, manage budgets, and report transparently to stakeholders.
📝 Tips for Applying to Critical Resistance
1. In your resume and cover letter, explicitly connect your fundraising wins to social justice or abolitionist causes; highlight any experience with grassroots or movement organizations.
2. Tailor your major gift examples to show not just dollar amounts but also how those gifts advanced the organization's mission—CR cares deeply about values alignment.
3. Demonstrate your understanding of the quiet phase of a capital campaign: mention specific strategies for cultivation and solicitation of major donors before public launch.
4. If you have Salesforce experience, highlight it prominently; if not, emphasize your ability to quickly learn new CRM systems and your comfort with data tracking.
5. Show that you can work remotely and manage a national donor portfolio: mention experience with virtual donor meetings, remote team coordination, and cross-time-zone communication.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Emphasize your personal commitment to PIC abolition and how this role aligns with your values—avoid generic statements about 'social justice'.", 'Highlight specific examples of leading a capital campaign or major gift program, especially one that involved multi-phase planning and a quiet phase.', 'Show your ability to build relationships with major donors who may be new to the abolitionist movement, and how you can educate and inspire them.', 'Mention your experience with budget management, reporting, and cross-team collaboration, as CR needs a director who can manage both strategy and operations.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → 1. Read CR's 'Building People Power' campaign materials (if available on their website) to understand the specific goals and phases.
- → 2. Familiarize yourself with CR's key programs: their organizing against jail expansion, support for people inside prisons, and alternatives to policing.
- → 3. Study the broader abolitionist funding landscape: organizations like the Solidaire Network, Borealis Philanthropy, or the NoVo Foundation that fund movement work.
- → 4. Review CR's recent annual reports or donor communications to understand their fundraising voice and how they talk about impact.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1. Using generic fundraising language without connecting it to abolition or CR's specific mission—avoid phrases like 'making a difference' without context.
- 2. Focusing only on dollar amounts without showing alignment with values—CR cares about how gifts are raised, not just how much.
- 3. Underestimating the importance of the quiet phase: don't jump to public launch strategies without addressing cultivation and stewardship of major donors.
📅 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 Critical Resistance!