Application Guide
How to Apply for Director, Major Gifts
at Equality Now
🏢 About Equality Now
Equality Now is a global nonprofit that uses legal advocacy to fight for the rights of women and girls, with a mission to create a world where all people are equal regardless of gender. Working here means joining a remote-first, internationally minded team that translates complex legal and programmatic work into tangible change. The organization offers the chance to fundraise for a cause with direct, systemic impact on gender equality worldwide.
About This Role
As Director of Major Gifts, you will lead and grow a major gifts portfolio, including gala sponsorships, mid-level giving, and donor engagement, while supervising a Mid-level Giving & Prospecting Officer. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will partner with the CEO to translate Equality Now's development strategy into actionable fundraising plans and cultivate relationships with individuals, family foundations, and philanthropic networks. This role is pivotal in strengthening donor pipelines and ensuring sustainable funding for Equality Now's global mission.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve meeting with the Chief Development Officer to review donor strategy, conducting a virtual cultivation meeting with a major donor prospect, and coaching the Mid-level Giving Officer on prospect research. You might also collaborate with the Annual Giving team on donor pipeline integration and prepare a briefing for the CEO ahead of a donor call. The role is highly relational and strategic, balancing donor engagement, team leadership, and planning.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Equality Now Is Looking For
- Proven track record in major gifts fundraising, with experience closing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals and family foundations.
- Experience managing and growing a donor portfolio, including mid-level giving programs and gala sponsorships, preferably in a global or remote nonprofit setting.
- Strong relationship-management skills and cross-cultural fluency, with the ability to engage diverse donors and stakeholders.
- Supervisory experience, with the ability to lead and mentor a mid-level giving officer and collaborate across development functions.
- Sound judgment and strategic thinking, with the capacity to translate complex legal and programmatic work into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
📝 Tips for Applying to Equality Now
Highlight specific examples of major gifts you have personally solicited and closed, including gift amounts and donor types (individuals, family foundations, etc.).
Demonstrate familiarity with Equality Now's mission and legal advocacy work; mention specific campaigns or issues they address to show genuine interest.
Emphasize your experience with remote work and cross-cultural collaboration, as Equality Now is a remote organization with a global team.
Showcase any experience with gala sponsorships and mid-level giving programs, as these are key components of the role.
If you are based in New York, explicitly state your location, as there is a strong preference for candidates in the NY area; otherwise, confirm your eligibility to work in one of the listed states.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, focus on: 1) Your proven success in major gifts fundraising, including specific metrics and donor relationships. 2) Your ability to translate complex social justice issues into compelling donor narratives, ideally with examples from gender equality or human rights. 3) Your experience supervising and mentoring fundraising staff, particularly in mid-level giving. 4) Your alignment with Equality Now's mission and your commitment to global gender equality, showing how your values drive your fundraising approach.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Equality Now's website, focusing on their key campaigns, legal advocacy wins, and global impact reports to understand their work deeply.
- → Research the backgrounds of the Chief Development Officer and CEO to understand their leadership style and priorities for fundraising.
- → Look into Equality Now's recent galas or major donor events to understand the scale and nature of their fundraising events.
- → Familiarize yourself with the funding landscape for gender equality organizations, including trends in major gifts and family foundation giving.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic cover letters that do not mention Equality Now's specific mission or campaigns; they want to see genuine passion for gender equality.
- Do not neglect to highlight supervisory experience, as this role directly manages a Mid-level Giving & Prospecting Officer.
- Avoid focusing solely on annual giving or grassroots fundraising; this role requires a strategic focus on major gifts and donor cultivation.
📅 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!