Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Institutional Giving

at Repair the World

🏢 About Repair the World

Repair the World is a national Jewish service organization that mobilizes Jews and their communities to pursue a just world through service and social change. By 2030, they aim to inspire one million acts of service, making it a mission-driven workplace where your work directly contributes to building a flourishing Jewish community and repairing the world.

About This Role

As the Director, Institutional Giving, you will lead the entire institutional fundraising lifecycle, from crafting compelling grant proposals to managing submission systems. This role is pivotal in securing the financial resources needed to power Repair the World's national service movement, making your storytelling and project management skills directly impactful on their ambitious 2030 goal.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing a grant deadline calendar, drafting a concept note for a foundation, and meeting with program staff to gather impact data for a report. You might also spend time researching new funding opportunities, updating the CRM, and collaborating with the development team to refine messaging for an upcoming proposal.

🎯 Who Repair the World Is Looking For

  • A seasoned grant writer with 5+ years of experience in institutional giving, preferably in the nonprofit or Jewish communal sector.
  • An exceptional writer and storyteller who can translate complex programmatic work into compelling, mission-driven narratives for diverse funders.
  • A strategic project manager who can manage multiple deadlines, maintain a grants calendar, and ensure flawless submissions.
  • A collaborative team player who can work with program staff to gather information and with development leadership to align proposals with organizational goals.
  • Familiarity with the Jewish community and values, and a passion for service and social justice.
  • Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and grant research tools.
  • Ability to work remotely and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to Repair the World

1

Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific grant writing successes, including dollar amounts raised and the types of funders (foundations, corporations, etc.).

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your passion for social justice and Jewish values to Repair the World's mission, showing you understand their unique niche.

3

Demonstrate your project management skills by mentioning tools you use (e.g., Asana, Trello) and how you've managed complex grant calendars.

4

If possible, include a writing sample that showcases your ability to tell a compelling story about service or community impact, not just a generic grant proposal.

5

Research Repair the World's recent grants and programs (e.g., their service corps, partnerships) and mention specific ones in your application to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your deep understanding of and alignment with Repair the World's mission to mobilize Jewish communities for social justice.", "Your proven track record in institutional fundraising, with specific examples of successful grants you've written and managed.", 'Your ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with funders and inspire action.', 'Your project management expertise in handling multiple deadlines and collaborating across teams to gather information.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Explore Repair the World's website to understand their programs, such as the Jewish Service Corps, and their recent campaigns or initiatives.
  • Read their annual report or financial statements to see their funding sources and how they report impact.
  • Look into their 2030 goal of one million acts of service and think about how institutional giving can support that.
  • Research the Jewish service movement and key funders in this space to understand the landscape.
Visit Repair the World's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building relationships with new institutional funders while maintaining existing ones?
2 Describe a time you had to translate a complex program into a compelling grant proposal. What was the outcome?
3 How do you prioritize and manage multiple grant deadlines without sacrificing quality?
4 What strategies would you use to align grant proposals with Repair the World's strategic goals and Jewish values?
5 How do you stay informed about trends in Jewish philanthropy and service?
6 Can you share an example of a grant report that successfully demonstrated impact to a funder?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Repair the World's specific mission or programs.
  • Focusing only on your writing skills without demonstrating project management and strategic thinking abilities.
  • Ignoring the Jewish aspect of the role – even if you're not Jewish, you must show respect and understanding of the organization's values and community.

📅 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 Repair the World!