Application Guide
How to Apply for Development Director
at Kuda Vana Partnership International
🏢 About Kuda Vana Partnership International
Kuda Vana Partnership International (KVPI) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to keeping vulnerable children in Southern Africa in families, not orphanages, through its Family Care Model. Working at KVPI offers the chance to make a tangible difference in children's lives while collaborating with a passionate, remote-first team committed to systemic change.
About This Role
As Development Director, you will be the driving force behind KVPI's fundraising, responsible for securing foundation/government grants, cultivating individual donors, and leading the year-end campaign. This role is impactful because your efforts directly enable the expansion of family-based care, replacing institutionalization with loving homes.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing donor CRM notes and following up with a family foundation program officer via email or Zoom. You might spend the afternoon drafting a proposal for a government grant, then meet virtually with the Board to strategize the year-end campaign. Evenings could involve writing a personalized stewardship letter to a major donor or researching new grant opportunities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Kuda Vana Partnership International Is Looking For
- A seasoned fundraiser with 5+ years of experience winning five- and six-figure foundation or government grants, ideally in international development or child welfare.
- A relationship-builder who has cultivated family foundations, family offices, or major donors ($5,000+), with existing connections in U.S. private philanthropy.
- An exceptional writer who can craft compelling proposals, LOIs, and donor communications that resonate with U.S. philanthropic audiences.
- Proficient in donor CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang, Salesforce NPSP) and comfortable managing a donor portfolio, tracking pipeline metrics, and reporting progress to the Board.
📝 Tips for Applying to Kuda Vana Partnership International
Quantify your fundraising wins: include dollar amounts, number of grants secured, and donor retention rates in your resume and cover letter.
Highlight any experience with family foundations or family offices specifically, as KVPI values these relationships.
Tailor your writing sample to a proposal or LOI for a child welfare or international development cause, demonstrating your ability to align with KVPI's mission.
Mention your familiarity with remote work tools and self-motivation, as this role is fully remote and contract-based.
Research KVPI's Family Care Model and reference it in your application to show genuine interest and understanding.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your track record of winning grants and cultivating donors, with specific examples and dollar amounts.', "Express passion for KVPI's mission of keeping children in families, not orphanages, and connect it to your own values.", 'Highlight your ability to build relationships with program officers and family office advisors, citing any existing connections.', 'Demonstrate your strategic thinking by outlining how you would approach Year 1 goals (e.g., $40K in grants, $175K year-end campaign).']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read about KVPI's Family Care Model and its impact in Southern Africa, especially compared to institutional care.
- → Review KVPI's current donors and partners (if publicly available) to understand their philanthropic network.
- → Look into the board members' backgrounds to identify potential connections or shared interests.
- → Study the U.S. foundation landscape for child welfare and international development to identify potential grantors.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without referencing KVPI's specific mission or Family Care Model.
- Overlooking the contract nature of the role; be prepared to discuss your comfort with contract work and self-management.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of fundraising wins—vague claims without numbers or outcomes weaken your application.
📅 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 Kuda Vana Partnership International!