Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Development

at Crushing Colonialism

🏢 About Crushing Colonialism

Crushing Colonialism is a unique nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices through multi-media storytelling, directly increasing pay and employment for Indigenous media makers. Working here means contributing to decolonization efforts and amplifying narratives that have been historically marginalized, all within a remote, values-driven team.

About This Role

As Director of Development, you will lead all fundraising efforts—from grants and individual donations to sponsorships—to sustain and grow the organization's impact. This role is pivotal in ensuring Indigenous media projects receive funding and that donor relationships are built on cultural humility and accountability.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing grant deadlines and coordinating with the finance team on budget reports. You could then meet with a potential corporate sponsor to discuss ethical partnerships, followed by a check-in with the Executive Director on donor cultivation strategies. Afternoon tasks might include drafting a grant proposal for a new media project and updating donor records in the CRM, ensuring all communications reflect the organization's values.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Crushing Colonialism Is Looking For

  • Has deep, long-term experience (10+ years) working directly with Indigenous communities and tribes, demonstrating cultural competency and trust.
  • Possesses 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience in the US, with a proven track record in donor cultivation and campaign management.
  • Is proficient with CRM systems and can oversee grant writing, reporting, and compliance, while collaborating with finance on budgets.
  • Holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Non-Profit Management, or a related field, and understands the nuances of Indigenous-led organizations.

📝 Tips for Applying to Crushing Colonialism

1

Explicitly highlight your experience with Indigenous communities and tribes, including specific projects or partnerships, to show alignment with the mission.

2

Quantify your fundraising successes (e.g., 'secured $X in grants' or 'grew individual donor base by Y%') to demonstrate your track record.

3

Tailor your cover letter to address how you practice cultural humility in donor stewardship and grant reporting, not just generic fundraising skills.

4

Research Crushing Colonialism's current projects (e.g., their multimedia series or grant programs) and mention how you can support those specific initiatives.

5

If you have experience working with CRM systems used by Indigenous nonprofits (e.g., Salesforce for nonprofits), mention it explicitly.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your direct experience with Indigenous communities and your understanding of their protocols and sovereignty.', 'Showcase your ability to build and maintain relationships with donors from a place of accountability and respect, not just transactional fundraising.', 'Highlight your experience in grant writing and compliance, especially with federal or tribal funding sources relevant to Indigenous media.', "Express genuine passion for storytelling and media as tools for decolonization, linking your personal values to the company's mission."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Crushing Colonialism's current and past projects (e.g., their website and social media) to understand their storytelling focus and funding needs.
  • → Learn about the organization's funding sources (e.g., grants from foundations like Ford or MacArthur) and any recent fundraising campaigns.
  • → Research key Indigenous media makers or organizations they've partnered with to show familiarity with their network.
  • → Understand the broader context of Indigenous media and decolonization efforts, including challenges like underfunding and cultural appropriation.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you cultivated a major donor relationship with an Indigenous community or organization. How did you ensure cultural humility?
2 How would you approach grant reporting to ensure it respects tribal data sovereignty and funder requirements?
3 What strategies would you use to diversify funding sources (grants, individual donors, sponsorships) for a small nonprofit?
4 How do you handle fundraising targets while maintaining ethical practices and not overburdening Indigenous partners?
5 Can you walk us through your experience with CRM systems and how you've used data to drive fundraising decisions?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic fundraising language without connecting it to Indigenous communities or cultural humility.
  • Do not overstate your experience with Indigenous communities if it's minimal—authenticity and accountability are critical here.
  • Don't ignore the requirement for 10+ years of community experience; if you lack it, address how your background is relevant and why you're committed to learning.

📅 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 Crushing Colonialism!

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