Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief Development Officer

at At The Well Project

🏢 About At The Well Project

At The Well Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women living with HIV, providing resources, community, and advocacy. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven team that values lived experience, equity, and empowerment, with a remote-first culture that offers flexibility and a collaborative environment.

About This Role

As the Chief Development Officer, you will lead all fundraising efforts, from major gifts to digital campaigns, and play a pivotal role in shaping the organization's growth and sustainability. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll build and execute a comprehensive development strategy, cultivate donor relationships, and work closely with the CEO and Board—directly impacting the organization's ability to serve its community.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing fundraising metrics and meeting with your development team to strategize on upcoming campaigns, followed by a virtual coffee meeting with a major donor to nurture a relationship. You might also spend time preparing materials for a board presentation, collaborating with the CEO on a grant proposal, and analyzing data to refine your approach—all from your home office.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who At The Well Project Is Looking For

  • Proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 7-10 years of experience, including successful major gift solicitation and closing six-figure gifts.
  • Experience developing and executing multi-year fundraising strategies that diversify revenue streams (individual, institutional, grassroots, digital).
  • Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and manage a development team and collaborate with executive leadership and Board members.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build infrastructure and systems from the ground up, and comfort with a hands-on, 'roll up your sleeves' approach.

📝 Tips for Applying to At The Well Project

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable fundraising results (e.g., 'grew annual fund by 40%' or 'secured $500K major gift') and experience with seven-figure goals.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with remote work and leading distributed teams, as the role is remote.

3

Research At The Well Project's mission and recent achievements, and reference them specifically to show your genuine interest in their work.

4

Highlight any experience with building development infrastructure, such as implementing a donor CRM or creating a major gifts program from scratch.

5

Be prepared to discuss your approach to cultivating a culture of philanthropy across an organization, not just within the development team.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for the mission of supporting women with HIV and your understanding of the unique challenges in this space.', "Your experience in setting and achieving ambitious fundraising goals, with specific examples of strategies you've implemented.", 'Your ability to work collaboratively with a CEO and Board to equip them as fundraising partners.', 'Your entrepreneurial spirit and readiness to build and innovate in a growing organization.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review At The Well Project's website, including their mission, programs, and any recent annual reports to understand their impact and funding needs.
  • → Look into their current fundraising efforts and donor base to identify potential areas for growth.
  • → Check their social media and news mentions to understand their public presence and any recent initiatives.
  • → Research the broader landscape of HIV-related nonprofits to understand the competitive funding environment.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing a multi-year fundraising strategy for an organization with a seven-figure annual goal?
2 Describe a time you personally closed a major gift and the steps you took to cultivate that relationship.
3 How would you engage the CEO and Board in fundraising, and what systems would you put in place to support them?
4 What experience do you have with digital fundraising and grassroots campaigns, and how would you grow these channels?
5 How do you balance strategic planning with hands-on execution, especially in a remote work environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter—make sure it's clearly tailored to At The Well Project and this specific role.
  • Avoid focusing too much on your own achievements without connecting them to how you can help this organization meet its goals.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of cultural fit—demonstrate your alignment with the organization's values and community-centered approach.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to At The Well Project!

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