Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Development
at Alaska Wilderness League
🏢 About Alaska Wilderness League
Alaska Wilderness League uniquely combines national advocacy with deep local partnerships, working directly with Alaska-based communities, Indigenous groups, and scientists to protect irreplaceable ecosystems. This organization offers the opportunity to contribute to tangible conservation outcomes while building an inclusive movement that values diverse perspectives and collaborative approaches to wilderness protection.
About This Role
As Director of Development, you'll lead a four-person team responsible for generating $2.8M annually while personally managing 100-150 mid-level and major donors. This role is impactful because you'll shape the financial sustainability of conservation efforts that protect Alaska's wild lands and waters for future generations, serving as a key member of the senior leadership team.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve strategizing with your development team on donor cultivation approaches, personally engaging with 3-5 major donors from your portfolio, collaborating with program staff to align fundraising with conservation priorities, and participating in senior leadership discussions about organizational strategy and culture. You'll balance hands-on donor work with team management and cross-departmental planning.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Alaska Wilderness League Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success securing major gifts ($1,000+) and institutional grants
- Possesses experience leading teams and engaging boards in small, fast-paced nonprofit environments
- Demonstrates strategic thinking with specific examples of developing comprehensive fundraising plans that align with organizational objectives
- Shows genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through concrete examples in fundraising practices and team culture
📝 Tips for Applying to Alaska Wilderness League
Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically - mention dollar amounts raised, team sizes managed, and portfolio sizes similar to the 100-150 donor requirement
Highlight experience working with Indigenous communities or environmental justice organizations, as AWL emphasizes inclusive partnerships
Demonstrate understanding of Alaska-specific conservation issues by referencing current AWL campaigns or Alaska wilderness areas
Show how you've cultivated philanthropy across entire organizations, not just development teams, given AWL's emphasis on organization-wide fundraising culture
Provide specific examples of working in small organizations with shared responsibilities and significant autonomy
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience managing donor portfolios of similar size (100-150 donors) and securing major gifts at the $1,000+ level', 'Specific examples of developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising plans that supported strategic organizational objectives', "How you've fostered diversity, equity, and inclusion within fundraising practices and team leadership", 'Your approach to mentoring development teams and collaborating across departments in small nonprofit settings']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → AWL's current campaigns and priority wilderness areas in Alaska (like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or Tongass National Forest)
- → The organization's partnerships with Alaska-based groups and Indigenous communities mentioned in their mission
- → AWL's recent public communications, annual reports, or donor materials to understand their messaging and priorities
- → The broader landscape of Alaska conservation organizations and how AWL positions itself within that ecosystem
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic environmental fundraising examples without tailoring them to Alaska-specific conservation or AWL's partnership model
- Focusing only on individual giving without demonstrating institutional grant experience or team leadership capabilities
- Presenting as someone who needs structured corporate environments rather than thriving in small organizations with significant autonomy and shared responsibilities
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Alaska Wilderness League!