Application Guide
How to Apply for Development Director
at Vital Impacts
🏢 About Vital Impacts
Vital Impacts is a unique women-led nonprofit that combines fine art photography with conservation fundraising, creating compelling visual narratives to support grassroots environmental efforts. Unlike traditional nonprofits, they leverage artistic storytelling to cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders while directly funding journalists and ecosystem protection.
About This Role
As Development Director, you'll lead fundraising strategy during a pivotal growth phase, building systems from the ground up while securing major gifts and corporate partnerships. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable conservation journalism and ecosystem protection by translating program results into inspiring donor narratives that fuel Vital Impacts' mission.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves strategizing major gift approaches for high-net-worth individuals, developing donor materials that translate photography exhibitions into conservation impact narratives, and building CRM systems to track relationships. You'll balance remote donor meetings with crafting proposals that connect art with environmental action while establishing processes for Vital Impacts' growth phase.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Vital Impacts Is Looking For
- Has 7+ years of senior fundraising experience with documented success securing 5- and 6-figure gifts from major individual donors or corporate partners
- Demonstrates experience building fundraising strategies and processes from scratch, including CRM implementation and donor tracking systems
- Is an exceptional relationship builder who can engage diverse constituencies including high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners
- Can translate complex conservation programs into compelling narratives that inspire major gift commitments
📝 Tips for Applying to Vital Impacts
Quantify your fundraising results specifically: 'Secured $X in 6-figure gifts from Y corporate partners in Z timeframe' rather than generic 'experienced fundraiser'
Highlight any experience with arts-based or visual storytelling nonprofits, as Vital Impacts uniquely blends photography with conservation
Demonstrate your CRM implementation experience by mentioning specific systems you've selected and implemented for donor tracking
Show understanding of their dual mission by referencing both conservation impact AND their innovative arts-based fundraising approach
If you have remote nonprofit experience, emphasize how you've built donor relationships and systems without geographic proximity
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience building fundraising systems from the ground up, including CRM selection and implementation', 'Examples of translating program impact into compelling narratives that secured major gifts (5-6 figures)', 'How your relationship-building skills align with engaging high-net-worth individuals interested in conservation', "Why Vital Impacts' unique arts-based approach to conservation resonates with your fundraising philosophy"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study their photography exhibitions and artists to understand how they use visual storytelling for fundraising
- → Review their specific conservation programs and partnerships to reference in your application
- → Research their current donor base and corporate partners through their website and annual reports
- → Understand their growth trajectory by examining their program expansion and recent initiatives
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic nonprofit fundraising experience without specific major gifts (5-6 figure) examples
- Failing to address their unique arts-based approach to conservation in your application materials
- Not demonstrating experience with system-building or CRM implementation for a growing organization
📅 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!