Application Guide

How to Apply for Director - Major Gifts

at Winrock International

🏢 About Winrock International

Winrock International stands out for its innovative, integrated approach to tackling complex global challenges in social, agricultural, and environmental development simultaneously. Working here means contributing to sustainable solutions that address root causes rather than just symptoms, with a mission-driven culture that values practical, on-the-ground impact.

About This Role

This Director - Major Gifts role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive strategy to secure five- and six-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. You'll build and manage a portfolio of 75-100 donors while collaborating with program experts to translate complex development work into compelling funding opportunities that directly support Winrock's mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves virtual meetings with major donor prospects, crafting personalized cultivation strategies for your portfolio, collaborating with program teams to understand funding needs, and developing compelling proposals that connect donor interests with Winrock's integrated development work. You'll balance relationship management with strategic planning to grow the major gifts pipeline.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Winrock International Is Looking For

  • Has 8-10 years of proven success securing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals and family foundations, not just institutional donors
  • Demonstrates exceptional ability to translate complex global development concepts into clear, emotionally resonant donor communications
  • Possesses strong relationship-building skills with high-capacity donors and can manage 75-100 relationships with meaningful, regular engagement
  • Shows experience working collaboratively with program teams to identify strategic funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support

📝 Tips for Applying to Winrock International

1

Quantify your major gifts success with specific examples of five- and six-figure gifts secured, including the cultivation timeline and relationship management approach

2

Demonstrate your understanding of Winrock's integrated approach by referencing specific programs or initiatives that combine social, agricultural, AND environmental elements

3

Show how you've translated complex technical work into donor-friendly language - include a brief writing sample or describe your process

4

Highlight experience with remote relationship management, as this position is fully remote but requires maintaining strong donor connections

5

Research and reference specific Winrock programs you find compelling and explain how you would position them to major donors

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience securing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals/family foundations with concrete examples', 'How you translate complex development work into compelling donor narratives (provide a brief example)', 'Your approach to building and managing a portfolio of 75-100 high-capacity donors with regular, meaningful engagement', "Why Winrock's integrated approach to social, agricultural, and environmental development resonates with you personally and professionally"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Winrock's current major initiatives that combine social, agricultural, and environmental elements (like their work on climate-smart agriculture or sustainable landscapes)
  • → The organization's recent annual reports and donor communications to understand their current messaging and priorities
  • → Key leadership and program staff mentioned on their website to understand who you'd be collaborating with
  • → Winrock's existing donor base and major supporters through their annual reports and news releases

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your process for cultivating a prospect who eventually made a six-figure gift to a global development organization
2 How would you explain Winrock's work in sustainable agriculture or environmental development to a potential major donor with no technical background?
3 Describe your strategy for managing 75-100 donor relationships while ensuring each feels personally valued and engaged
4 How have you successfully collaborated with program staff to identify funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support?
5 What metrics and systems do you use to track and report on major gifts progress in a remote work environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing primarily on institutional or corporate fundraising experience without emphasizing individual major gifts success
  • Using generic development language without demonstrating understanding of Winrock's specific integrated approach to social/agricultural/environmental work
  • Failing to provide specific, quantifiable examples of five- and six-figure gifts secured and the relationship-building process behind them

📅 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 Winrock International!

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