Application Guide
How to Apply for Development Director - Part Time
at NancyonNorwalk
🏢 About NancyonNorwalk
Nancy on Norwalk is a unique, independent local news outlet dedicated to watchdog journalism and serving as a digital town square for Norwalk, CT. With a loyal readership and a new anchor grant, the organization is poised for growth, offering a meaningful opportunity to shape its future.
About This Role
As the first development hire, you will build and run the fundraising and stewardship systems, executing a three-year plan to secure individual giving, major gifts, sponsorships, and grants. Your work is critical to transitioning the organization from grant-dependence to long-term sustainability, directly impacting the community's access to trusted local news.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing donation reports, drafting a grant proposal, and scheduling a donor meeting in Norwalk. You might spend time emailing individual donors, coordinating with the board on upcoming fundraising events, and analyzing which fundraising strategies are working to adjust your approach.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who NancyonNorwalk Is Looking For
- Experienced in nonprofit fundraising, particularly in individual giving, major gifts, and grant writing, with a track record of meeting targets.
- Self-motivated and comfortable working remotely, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
- Strong relationship-builder who can engage donors, board members, and community stakeholders, and is comfortable with local travel in Norwalk, CT.
- Familiar with donor management systems and digital fundraising tools, and adept at using data to track progress and inform strategy.
📝 Tips for Applying to NancyonNorwalk
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight fundraising experience, especially in local news or small nonprofits, and quantify your achievements (e.g., 'grew individual giving by X%').
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your understanding of the role's part-time nature and how you would structure your 20 hours/week to maximize impact.
Demonstrate your knowledge of Norwalk or similar communities, and your passion for local journalism and civic engagement.
Mention any experience with donor databases (e.g., Salesforce, Bloomerang) and your proficiency with digital communication tools.
Since the role requires local travel, clarify your location or willingness to travel to Norwalk, CT, and how you plan to handle that.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your commitment to local journalism and the importance of independent news for democracy.', 'Highlight your experience in building fundraising programs from the ground up or scaling them, and your ability to work with a board.', 'Showcase your strategic thinking and how you would prioritize tasks to meet Year 1 goals, including specific fundraising tactics.', 'Mention your collaborative style and how you would partner with the board and volunteers to maximize fundraising efforts.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read recent articles on Nancy on Norwalk to understand their editorial focus and community impact.
- → Review their website, especially the 'About' and 'Support' sections, to see their current fundraising efforts and messaging.
- → Research Norwalk, CT, to understand the local issues, demographics, and potential donor base.
- → Look into the founders, Mark and Nancy Chapman, and their vision for the organization.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Nancy on Norwalk or the specific role.
- Avoid overlooking the part-time nature and local travel requirement; address how you will manage that in your application.
- Don't underestimate the importance of stewardship; emphasize your ability to build long-term donor relationships, not just secure one-time gifts.
📅 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 NancyonNorwalk!