Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Officer

at National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

🏢 About National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

NDLON is unique as a national network that combines immigrant worker organizing with cultural strategy and frontline defense, operating through a decentralized, community-led model rather than top-down advocacy. Working here offers the chance to directly support grassroots movements defending vulnerable workers through innovative approaches like disaster recovery brigades and cultural resistance campaigns.

About This Role

This Development Officer role focuses on expanding NDLON's funding portfolio by managing philanthropic partnerships for immigrant worker organizing and stewarding individual donor relationships. The position is impactful because it directly enables frontline defense, worker-led organizing, and equity-centered recovery efforts through strategic resource mobilization.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating with NDLON's decentralized network partners to gather impact stories for donor reports, analyzing funding patterns to identify growth opportunities for worker defense campaigns, and personalizing outreach to individual donors passionate about immigrant justice. You'd likely balance grant calendar management with relationship cultivation across different time zones in this remote role.

🎯 Who National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of fundraising experience specifically with social justice organizations or immigrant rights groups
  • Demonstrates exceptional storytelling ability that can convey the urgency of immigrant worker defense and cultural resistance
  • Possesses both strong organizational skills for grant systems and adaptability for NDLON's fast-moving, frontline environment
  • Is bilingual in Spanish/English and deeply understands immigrant and workers' rights issues beyond surface-level awareness

📝 Tips for Applying to National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

1

Highlight specific experience with immigrant rights or worker organizing fundraising, not just general nonprofit development

2

Include concrete examples of managing philanthropic portfolios for social justice campaigns in your resume

3

Demonstrate knowledge of NDLON's specific programs like disaster recovery brigades or cultural resistance in your materials

4

Show how you've used donor trend analysis to inform strategic growth in previous roles

5

If bilingual, provide examples of Spanish-language donor communications or community engagement

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with immigrant worker or social justice fundraising (not just general nonprofit development)', "How you've successfully cultivated long-term donor relationships for frontline organizing work", 'Examples of strengthening grant systems and workflows in fast-moving environments', "Your personal connection to or understanding of immigrant and workers' rights issues"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • NDLON's specific campaigns like the #Not1More deportation defense or disaster recovery brigade work
  • The network's decentralized structure and how it differs from traditional immigrant rights organizations
  • Recent NDLON cultural resistance initiatives and how they integrate with worker organizing
  • The organization's funding partners and philanthropic landscape for immigrant worker defense
Visit National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach cultivating philanthropic partners for NDLON's unique blend of worker organizing, cultural strategy, and legal defense?
2 Describe your experience tracking donor trends and using that analysis to inform strategic growth in social justice contexts
3 How would you steward relationships with individual donors who are passionate about immigrant worker defense?
4 What systems have you implemented to manage grant calendars and workflows in fast-moving organizing environments?
5 How do you see development work supporting NDLON's model of community-led, decentralized organizing?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic nonprofit development language without connecting it to immigrant worker organizing specifically
  • Focusing only on grant writing without addressing donor cultivation and relationship stewardship
  • Demonstrating superficial knowledge of immigrant rights without understanding worker-led organizing models

📅 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 National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)!