Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Development at The War Horse

at Bash Advisory

🏢 About Bash Advisory

The War Horse is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigative journalism about the true cost of military service, holding the powerful accountable and serving the public interest. Working here means contributing to impactful storytelling that resonates with veterans, families, and citizens, in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

About This Role

This role is a unique blend of fundraising and communications leadership, requiring you to drive the organization's revenue growth while shaping its public narrative. As Director of Development & Communications, you'll be at the helm of a pivotal growth phase, directly impacting the sustainability and reach of The War Horse's journalism.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your development team to review donor pipelines and campaign metrics, followed by a meeting with the editorial team to align on a major investigation's communications strategy. You might spend the afternoon drafting a major gift proposal or preparing for a board presentation, interspersed with emails to partners and a social media planning session.

🚀 Application Tools

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🎯 Who Bash Advisory Is Looking For

  • Proven experience in nonprofit development, with a track record of raising $2M+ annually, including major gifts, grants, and events.
  • Strategic thinker who can integrate communications and development to amplify impact, with strong storytelling and brand-building skills.
  • Collaborative leader with experience managing and mentoring a team, and working closely with executive leadership and board members.
  • Familiarity with the military/veteran community and a passion for journalism and democratic accountability is a strong plus.

📝 Tips for Applying to Bash Advisory

1

Tailor your resume to highlight both development and communications achievements, using metrics (e.g., funds raised, campaign growth).

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to The War Horse's mission and recent investigations; show you understand their impact.

3

Research their current donors and partnerships; mention how you'd leverage or expand these in your application.

4

Demonstrate your ability to work remotely and collaborate across teams, as the role is remote and requires integration of two functions.

5

Include a brief portfolio or examples of successful integrated campaigns you've led, showing how you aligned fundraising and messaging.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for The War Horse's mission and the importance of telling the true cost of war.", 'Highlight your specific experience in setting and achieving ambitious fundraising goals, with examples of stewardship and prospecting.', "Showcase your strategic approach to integrating communications and development, with a clear vision for how you'd grow their donor base.", 'Mention your collaborative leadership style and ability to inspire a team, as the organization is growing and needs a unifying force.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read The War Horse's recent investigations and features to understand their editorial voice and impact.
  • → Review their annual reports and donor lists to see their current funding sources and partnerships.
  • → Check their social media and newsletter to gauge their current communications strategy and audience engagement.
  • → Look into the background of their leadership team and board to understand their priorities and culture.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing a unified development and communications strategy for a nonprofit newsroom?
2 Describe a time you successfully integrated fundraising and communications to achieve a major campaign goal.
3 How do you build relationships with major donors and ensure long-term stewardship?
4 What is your experience with digital fundraising and leveraging social media for donor engagement?
5 How would you balance the need for revenue generation with maintaining editorial independence and journalistic integrity?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention The War Horse's specific work or mission.
  • Avoid focusing only on fundraising without addressing communications; the role is integrated, so show you understand both.
  • Don't overlook the remote aspect; emphasize your experience with remote collaboration and self-management.

📅 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 Bash Advisory!

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