Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Manager at Islamic Scholarship Fund

at Bash Advisory

🏢 About Bash Advisory

The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) is a unique nonprofit dedicated to increasing American Muslim representation in fields that shape public policy and opinion through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development. Working here means contributing directly to empowering underrepresented communities while being part of a fast-growing organization with national impact.

About This Role

As Development Manager, you'll lead donor engagement strategies and execute major fundraising events like the NorCal/SoCal banquets while managing cultivation events across multiple states. This role is impactful because you'll directly expand ISF's national footprint and strengthen regional donor communities that fund scholarships for American Muslim students.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating with the Executive Director on donor engagement strategies, planning banquet logistics with vendors, supervising the Development Coordinator's tasks, and preparing for upcoming cultivation events in different regions—all while maintaining donor relationships through calls and communications.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Bash Advisory

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Bash Advisory Is Looking For

  • Has 5-8 years of hands-on nonprofit development experience with proven success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
  • Demonstrates specific experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising events (like banquets) with budgets, vendor coordination, and sponsorship packages
  • Has managed staff or volunteers previously and can provide coaching while overseeing workplans
  • Is skilled at building relationships with diverse donor segments and community stakeholders across different regions

📝 Tips for Applying to Bash Advisory

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements—mention specific dollar amounts raised, events managed, or donor segments you've cultivated

2

Highlight any experience with Muslim or diverse community organizations, as ISF specifically serves American Muslim students

3

Demonstrate your multi-region event management capability by mentioning experience with events in California, Chicago, D.C., or New York/New Jersey

4

Show how you've balanced strategic donor engagement with hands-on event execution in previous roles

5

Include examples of how you've supervised development staff or coordinated with executive leadership on donor strategies

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with nonprofit donor cultivation and stewardship strategies', "Examples of successful fundraising events you've planned and executed (especially banquets or similar large gatherings)", "How you've managed staff or volunteers in development roles", "Your understanding of ISF's mission and why increasing American Muslim representation in policy fields matters to you"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → ISF's scholarship recipients and their career paths in public policy/media/law
  • → Previous ISF events and donor recognition materials to understand their current fundraising approach
  • → The organization's growth trajectory and national expansion plans mentioned in their materials
  • → American Muslim representation statistics in public policy, media, and law fields
Visit Bash Advisory's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would plan and execute the NorCal and SoCal banquets from timeline to guest experience
2 Describe your approach to cultivating relationships with donors across different segments and regions
3 How would you supervise the Development Coordinator while balancing your own strategic responsibilities?
4 Share an example of a successful donor engagement strategy you implemented and the results
5 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple cultivation events across different states simultaneously?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only corporate fundraising experience without nonprofit donor relations examples
  • Failing to demonstrate specific event management experience with budgets and vendor coordination
  • Not showing understanding of ISF's specific mission to support American Muslim students in policy fields

📅 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 Bash Advisory!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →