Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Manager

at Local Progress

🏢 About Local Progress

Local Progress and the Local Progress Impact Lab are unique in their focus on building a movement of nearly 1,800 local elected officials across the US to advance racial, gender, and economic justice. Working here means contributing to systemic change through government, with a collaborative and mission-driven team that values equity and impact.

About This Role

As Development Manager, you will be the backbone of the organization's fundraising operations, ensuring systems and strategies are in place to sustain and grow resources. Your work directly enables the movement of local elected officials to push progressive policies, making your role critical to the organization's financial health and long-term impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with reviewing a grant deadline calendar and drafting a report for a foundation. Mid-morning, you'd hop on a call with the policy team to align on a new proposal's impact metrics. After lunch, you'd update the donor database, segment a list for an upcoming fundraising event, and end the day by analyzing monthly giving trends to report to the executive director.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Local Progress Is Looking For

  • You have 6+ years of development experience, with at least 3 years in non-profit fundraising, and a track record of managing grants and individual giving programs.
  • You are a strong writer and editor, comfortable drafting and reviewing grant proposals and reports that clearly communicate impact.
  • You are highly organized and detail-oriented, with experience managing donor databases and complex multi-stakeholder projects.
  • You are proactive and independent, able to evolve fundraising systems and coordinate across teams without constant supervision.

📝 Tips for Applying to Local Progress

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable fundraising achievements, such as grant dollars raised or donor retention rates, rather than just listing responsibilities.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to Local Progress's mission of advancing racial, gender, and economic justice through local government.

3

Research their current campaigns and recent wins (e.g., tenant protections, policing reforms) and mention how your fundraising skills can support those efforts.

4

Show familiarity with their structure: Local Progress is the 501(c)(4) and Local Progress Impact Lab is the 501(c)(3); explain how you'd navigate dual-entity fundraising.

5

If you have experience with CRM tools like Salesforce or EveryAction, emphasize it, as they likely use a donor database for grant and donor tracking.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for racial, gender, and economic justice and how it aligns with Local Progress's work.", 'Specific examples of managing grant cycles and donor programs from start to finish, including compliance and reporting.', 'Your ability to work remotely and independently while collaborating with a distributed team.', 'Your experience with fundraising events and individual giving campaigns, especially in a political or advocacy context.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Local Progress's website and recent policy wins to understand their legislative priorities and impact.
  • → Look up their annual reports or donor materials to see how they communicate their work and financial needs.
  • → Read about their Leadership Academy and how they train local elected officials, as this may be a key program to fundraise for.
  • → Check their blog or news section for current campaigns and partnerships to see how fundraising supports their goals.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you improve our current grant tracking system to ensure timely submissions and compliance?
2 Describe a time you managed a complex fundraising project with multiple stakeholders. How did you keep it on track?
3 How do you approach building relationships with individual donors, and what strategies have worked for you?
4 This role supports both a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4). How would you handle fundraising communications for each entity?
5 What metrics do you use to measure the success of a fundraising strategy, and how do you report them to leadership?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Local Progress's specific mission or structure.
  • Avoid overemphasizing corporate fundraising experience without connecting it to non-profit or advocacy contexts.
  • Don't neglect to proofread your application materials; given the strong writing requirement, errors can be disqualifying.

📅 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 Local Progress!

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