Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Manager

at Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center

🏢 About Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center is a unique nonprofit that combines litigation, advocacy, education, and grantmaking to fight systemic injustices. Named after a trailblazing public interest lawyer, the organization offers a mission-driven environment where your fundraising efforts directly support high-impact social justice work.

About This Role

As Development Manager, you will lead the Center's fundraising strategy, building a major gifts program and executing events and campaigns. Your work is critical to sustaining and expanding the organization's ability to challenge systemic inequities through legal and advocacy channels.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor database reports to track progress toward quarterly goals, then meeting virtually with the Director of Communications to align on an upcoming email appeal. Afternoon could involve drafting a major gift proposal for a law firm partner, followed by a donor cultivation call with a high-net-worth individual interested in supporting the Center's new advocacy initiative.

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🎯 Who Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 5+ years of nonprofit development experience, specifically in securing major gifts ($10k+) from individuals, corporations, and law firms.
  • Someone who thrives in a remote, lean team environment and can independently develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan.
  • Proficient with donor databases (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) and skilled at tracking and analyzing fundraising metrics to inform strategy.
  • Passionate about social justice and able to articulate the Center's mission to diverse stakeholders, including high-net-worth donors and law firm partners.

📝 Tips for Applying to Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center

1

In your resume and cover letter, quantify your fundraising success with specific dollar amounts (e.g., 'secured $500k in major gifts over two years').

2

Highlight any experience with law firm philanthropy or legal community networks, as the Center likely values connections to that sector.

3

Tailor your cover letter to reflect an understanding of the Center's specific focus areas (e.g., systemic racism, poverty, gender equity) and how your fundraising can advance those causes.

4

If you have experience with virtual events or remote donor cultivation, emphasize that, as the role is fully remote.

5

Mention any experience with grantmaking or foundation relations, as the Center also makes grants and may need support in that area.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for the Center's mission and its founder's legacy, and connect your personal values to their work.", 'Demonstrate your track record in building a major gifts program from scratch or scaling one, with concrete examples.', 'Show your ability to collaborate with communications teams on donor messaging and campaigns, as mentioned in the job description.', 'Highlight your experience with the specific types of donors the Center likely targets: individual philanthropists, corporate sponsors, and law firms.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Center's website and recent annual reports to understand its current funding sources and grantmaking priorities.
  • → Learn about the legacy of Barbara McDowell and how her work inspires the organization's approach to social justice.
  • → Research the Center's major litigation and advocacy campaigns to identify potential donor alignment (e.g., criminal justice reform, economic justice).
  • → Look up any past fundraising events or campaigns (e.g., virtual galas, giving days) to understand their donor engagement strategies.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you developed and implemented a fundraising strategy that exceeded goals. What was your approach?
2 How would you identify and cultivate major gift prospects for a small social justice organization?
3 Can you share an example of a successful fundraising event you planned and executed? What metrics defined its success?
4 How do you collaborate with communications teams to align fundraising appeals with organizational messaging?
5 What experience do you have with donor databases, and how do you use data to prioritize donor stewardship?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference the Center's specific mission or Barbara McDowell's legacy.
  • Failing to provide concrete, numbers-driven examples of fundraising success in your application materials.
  • Overlooking the need to demonstrate remote work skills and self-motivation, as this is a contract, remote role with likely minimal supervision.

📅 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 Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center!

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