Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Coordinator

at Zinc Collective

🏢 About Zinc Collective

Zinc Collective is a mission-driven organization focused on building persistent Democratic majorities through political organizing and fundraising. What makes them unique is their dual focus on immediate campaign impact and long-term strategic projects, creating an environment where political professionals can work on both tactical and visionary initiatives. Someone might want to work here to contribute to meaningful political change while developing expertise in Democratic fundraising infrastructure.

About This Role

As Development Coordinator at Zinc Collective, you'll be the operational backbone of the development team, managing all donor data systems while supporting fundraising activities and donor relations. This role is impactful because accurate donor data directly enables effective fundraising, which fuels the organization's mission to build Democratic majorities. You'll work at the intersection of data management, political strategy, and donor cultivation in a remote environment.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with updating donor records in NGP VAN or HubSpot from recent fundraising events, then preparing donor briefing materials for the development team's outreach calls. You'd likely spend midday troubleshooting data discrepancies and ensuring all donor interactions are properly logged, before ending the day coordinating logistics for upcoming virtual fundraising events and generating reports on donor engagement metrics.

🎯 Who Zinc Collective Is Looking For

  • Has 2-4 years of hands-on experience with donor databases (specifically HubSpot, NGP VAN, or Salesforce) in political campaigns or Democratic-aligned nonprofits
  • Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail through examples of managing complex data systems with zero tolerance for errors
  • Can articulate specific experience handling sensitive donor information with absolute confidentiality in politically charged environments
  • Shows genuine alignment with Democratic political goals and understands the unique pressures of campaign-style fundraising cycles

📝 Tips for Applying to Zinc Collective

1

Quantify your experience with specific CRM tools - instead of 'used Salesforce,' say 'managed 500+ donor records in Salesforce for a 2022 congressional campaign'

2

Include a brief statement of political alignment in your application materials, as the incomplete job description suggests this is important to Zinc Collective

3

Highlight any experience with both immediate campaign fundraising AND long-term donor cultivation, as the role mentions 'current programs and future long-term focused projects'

4

Demonstrate your remote work capabilities by mentioning tools/processes you've used for virtual donor management and team coordination

5

Show how you've maintained data accuracy under pressure - political fundraising often has tight deadlines that test organizational systems

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience with political donor databases (mention which CRMs you've used and for what types of campaigns/organizations)", "Examples of how you've managed sensitive donor information with discretion in politically sensitive environments", 'Your understanding of Democratic fundraising cycles and how data management supports both immediate campaigns and long-term projects', "Why you're personally motivated to support Zinc Collective's mission of building persistent Democratic majorities"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Zinc Collective's specific programs and campaigns - look for their recent political initiatives and fundraising events
  • The Democratic fundraising ecosystem - understand how organizations like Zinc Collective fit into broader party infrastructure
  • Current Democratic political priorities that might influence Zinc Collective's fundraising focus areas
  • Remote collaboration tools commonly used in political organizations (Slack, Asana, etc.) to show you understand the workflow
Visit Zinc Collective's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience with NGP VAN - how have you used it for donor management in past political work?
2 How would you handle a situation where donor data needs to be updated urgently before a major fundraising deadline?
3 What processes would you implement to ensure 100% accuracy in donor records across multiple Zinc Collective programs?
4 How do you maintain confidentiality when working with high-profile Democratic donors' information in a remote setting?
5 Can you describe a time when your attention to detail prevented a significant error in donor communications or reporting?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being vague about which specific CRM platforms you've used - political organizations need exact tool experience
  • Failing to demonstrate political alignment or showing limited understanding of Democratic fundraising mechanics
  • Not providing concrete examples of handling confidential information - this role requires proven discretion with sensitive donor data

📅 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 Zinc Collective!