Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Director

at PowerSwitch Action

🏢 About PowerSwitch Action

PowerSwitch Action is unique as a national network organizing to build multi-racial feminist democracies through community oversight of public investments and challenging corporate harm. Working with 21 affiliates, it offers the opportunity to advance systemic change at the local and regional level while being part of a mission-driven collective focused on expanding resident decision-making power.

About This Role

As Development Director, you'll serve as a key thought partner to the Executive Director and Leadership Team, guiding development strategy and execution to diversify revenue streams. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable PowerSwitch Action's mission by securing resources to support member-based organizations and community-led initiatives across the network.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategizing with the Executive Director on donor cultivation approaches, reviewing grant proposals with the external writing firm, analyzing fundraising data in the CRM to identify trends, and connecting with affiliate leaders to understand their funding needs. You'd balance high-level planning with hands-on database management and relationship stewardship.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who PowerSwitch Action Is Looking For

  • A proven fundraiser with 5+ years of experience meeting ambitious goals through individual donor campaigns and foundation grants, ideally in social justice or community organizing contexts
  • A systems builder who has implemented or optimized grants databases/CRMs (like Salesforce or EveryAction) and established fundraising policies/procedures from assessment to management
  • A relationship and trust builder with demonstrated ability to work authentically across lines of difference (race, class, geography) and steward funding partnerships
  • Deeply mission-aligned with PowerSwitch Action's focus on multi-racial feminist democracy, community oversight of public investments, and challenging corporate harm

📝 Tips for Applying to PowerSwitch Action

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically for individual donors and foundations—mention dollar amounts raised, percentage increases, or number of grants secured in past roles

2

Highlight experience working with affiliate networks or coalition models, as PowerSwitch Action works with 21 affiliates and values collaborative fundraising approaches

3

Demonstrate your systems-building skills by describing a specific instance where you assessed fundraising system requirements and implemented improvements

4

Show mission alignment by referencing PowerSwitch Action's specific focus areas (community oversight of public investments, multi-racial feminist democracy) rather than generic social justice language

5

If you have experience managing external grant writing firms, detail your approach to that partnership and how you ensured alignment with organizational strategy

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your track record of meeting ambitious fundraising goals with specific examples of diversifying revenue streams beyond single funding sources', 'Experience building authentic relationships across lines of difference and how that informs your approach to donor stewardship and partnership development', 'Your systems-building capabilities, particularly with grants databases/CRMs and establishing fundraising policies/procedures', "Why PowerSwitch Action's specific model of working with affiliates to build community oversight resonates with your values and experience"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → PowerSwitch Action's 21 affiliates and their specific local campaigns for community oversight of public investments
  • → The organization's public materials on multi-racial feminist democracy and how it informs their theory of change
  • → Recent PowerSwitch Action victories or campaigns challenging corporate actors causing harm to communities
  • → Their funding partners and philanthropic landscape (foundations mentioned in their annual reports or website)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing an annual fundraising plan that balances foundation grants with individual donor strategies while diversifying revenue streams?
2 Describe your experience managing relationships with external grant writing firms—how do you ensure alignment and quality while maintaining organizational voice?
3 How have you built authentic relationships with funding partners across racial, class, or geographic differences in past roles?
4 What specific fundraising database/CRM systems have you worked with, and how would you assess PowerSwitch Action's current system needs?
5 How would you collaborate with the Executive Director and Program staff to ensure development strategy supports their community organizing work with affiliates?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic fundraising experience without specific examples of working in social justice, community organizing, or coalition models
  • Focusing only on foundation grants without demonstrating individual donor fundraising strategies and relationship-building skills
  • Lack of mission alignment evidence—failing to reference PowerSwitch Action's specific focus on multi-racial feminist democracy and community oversight

📅 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 PowerSwitch Action!

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