Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Officer

at We Make the Future

🏢 About We Make the Future

We Make The Future is unique as an implementation home for the Race Class Narrative, blending empirical messaging research with strategic communications and coalition building to drive social justice progress. Working here means contributing to evidence-based approaches that integrate legislative, electoral, and cultural change through movement building.

About This Role

This Development Officer role involves creating and executing a comprehensive 3-5 year fundraising strategy to secure major gifts, corporate/foundation giving, and special events funding for social justice initiatives. The position is impactful because it directly enables WMTF's mission by building sustainable funding partnerships that support their Race Class Narrative implementation work.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategizing with communications teams on how to frame fundraising appeals using Race Class Narrative messaging, while managing foundation relationships through calls, grant reporting, and identifying new funding opportunities. You'd balance long-term strategic planning with immediate donor cultivation and compliance tracking for current grants.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who We Make the Future Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years fundraising leadership specifically in movement building organizations with proven success managing $3M+ annual budgets
  • Possesses established donor connections within social justice, progressive, or philanthropic circles and demonstrates persistence in finding new funding pathways
  • Is an adept storyteller who can communicate the Race Class Narrative framework to diverse audiences while maintaining meticulous attention to grant compliance and deliverables
  • Has experience managing foundation partnerships end-to-end, from relationship building to grant administration and reporting

📝 Tips for Applying to We Make the Future

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically in movement building contexts - show exactly how you've delivered $3M+ budgets with concrete examples

2

Demonstrate familiarity with the Race Class Narrative framework by referencing how you've used evidence-based messaging in previous fundraising work

3

Highlight specific experience with foundation relationship management in social justice spaces, not just general nonprofit fundraising

4

Show persistence in challenging fundraising environments by describing how you've identified and secured new funding pathways when traditional sources were limited

5

Tailor your materials to show how your skills align with WMTF's integration of strategic communications with coalition building

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience fundraising for movement building organizations and managing $3M+ budgets', "How you've used storytelling to communicate complex social justice concepts to funders and diverse audiences", 'Your approach to developing 3-5 year strategic fundraising plans that align with organizational missions', 'Examples of deepening foundation partnerships through relationship management and compliance with funder requirements']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Deep dive into the Race Class Narrative framework and how WMTF implements it - understand their specific messaging research
  • → Research WMTF's current coalition partners and legislative/electoral campaigns to understand their funding needs
  • → Explore progressive philanthropy landscape - which foundations fund similar social justice movement building work
  • → Review any available information about WMTF's current funding structure and past successful campaigns
Visit We Make the Future's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would develop a 3-5 year fundraising strategy specifically for implementing the Race Class Narrative
2 Describe your experience managing foundation relationships in social justice spaces and how you ensure compliance with progressive funder requirements
3 How do you approach prospecting for new funding partners in challenging political or economic environments?
4 Share an example of how you've used storytelling to secure major gifts for movement building work
5 How would you integrate WMTF's evidence-based messaging research into your fundraising communications?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting generic nonprofit fundraising experience without specific movement building or social justice context
  • Focusing only on individual donor cultivation without demonstrating foundation and corporate partnership experience
  • Showing lack of understanding about the Race Class Narrative or evidence-based messaging approaches
  • Providing vague budget management examples instead of specific $3M+ fundraising achievements

📅 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 We Make the Future!

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