Application Guide
How to Apply for Development Manager
at Ohio Women's Alliance
🏢 About Ohio Women's Alliance
Ohio Women's Alliance is a unique Reproductive Justice organization focused on power-building through programming, resources, and education for women, gender-expansive people, and youth across Ohio. Unlike traditional nonprofits, they work at the intersection of movement-building and direct service, addressing systemic issues like equitable education, holistic healthcare, and inclusive democracy. This makes it an ideal workplace for someone passionate about creating tangible change through both grassroots organizing and strategic development.
About This Role
As Development Manager, you'll be the engine behind Ohio Women's Alliance's fundraising efforts, directly executing their annual plan and maintaining the fundraising pipeline. This role is impactful because you'll secure resources that enable programming across Ohio—from reproductive health access to economic prosperity initiatives—while building sustainable donor relationships that support long-term movement-building. Your grant writing and database management will directly translate to expanded services for marginalized communities.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing grant deadlines and donor communications, then transitioning to drafting a proposal for an Ohio-based foundation supporting youth programming. In the afternoon, you'd update the donor database with recent contributions, coordinate with leadership on upcoming stewardship events, and research new grant prospects aligned with their economic prosperity initiatives—all while collaborating remotely with team members across the state.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Ohio Women's Alliance Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years in nonprofit development with demonstrated success in grant writing (preferably in Reproductive Justice, gender equity, or movement-building contexts)
- Is proficient with donor databases like EveryAction, Bonterra, or Bloomerang, and can efficiently manage development operations and accurate records
- Combines strategic thinking with collaborative execution, able to work independently on grant proposals while coordinating with senior leadership on fundraising strategy
- Possesses exceptional writing/editing skills specifically for grants and donor communications, with attention to detail in project management
📝 Tips for Applying to Ohio Women's Alliance
Highlight specific grant writing achievements with measurable outcomes (e.g., 'secured $X in grants for reproductive health programs') rather than just listing responsibilities
Mention experience with Ohio-based funders or Reproductive Justice donors, or demonstrate knowledge of Ohio's political landscape regarding gender equity issues
If you have movement-building experience, explicitly connect it to development work—show how you've fundraised for advocacy or community organizing initiatives
Tailor your resume to include keywords from their tech stack: name-drop specific donor databases (EveryAction, Bloomerang, etc.) if you have experience
Address how your values align with Reproductive Justice principles (beyond just 'pro-choice')—show understanding of intersectional approaches to healthcare, education, and democracy
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Demonstrate understanding of Reproductive Justice as a framework (not just reproductive rights) and how development supports this mission in Ohio', 'Provide concrete examples of managing full grant cycles—from research to reporting—preferably with metrics on funds secured or donor retention', "Explain how you've collaborated with leadership teams on fundraising strategy while independently managing operations", 'Connect your database management experience to efficient donor stewardship, emphasizing how clean data supports cultivation and events']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Ohio Women's Alliance's specific programs (e.g., their youth education or healthcare initiatives) to understand where development funds are directed
- → Review Ohio's recent legislation/policies affecting reproductive health, gender equity, and democracy to contextualize their work
- → Study their public-facing communications (social media, website) to understand their tone and priorities around gender-expansive inclusivity
- → Identify potential Ohio-based foundations or donors who support their work (e.g., women's funds, health equity grantmakers)
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic development language without tying it to Reproductive Justice or movement-building contexts
- Failing to address remote work experience or self-management skills in a distributed team
- Overemphasizing event planning or donor cultivation without demonstrating strong grant writing/database management capabilities
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Ohio Women's Alliance!