Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Development

at The Acceleration Project

🏢 About The Acceleration Project

The Acceleration Project (TAP) uniquely combines business consulting with social impact by providing high-impact strategic support specifically to under-resourced small business owners nationwide. Unlike traditional nonprofits, TAP delivers measurable economic outcomes through direct operational and financial assistance, having served over 11,000 businesses to unlock economic mobility and job creation. Working here means being part of a mission-driven organization that bridges the gap between business expertise and community empowerment.

About This Role

As Director of Development, you'll partner directly with the Chief Development Officer to design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy targeting foundations, corporations, major donors, and campaigns. This role is pivotal in securing sustainable funding to expand TAP's reach to more under-resourced small businesses, requiring you to identify new funding sources while deepening relationships with existing supporters. Your work directly enables TAP to scale its impact on economic mobility nationwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with the CDO to refine quarterly fundraising targets, researching new foundation prospects aligned with economic development, and drafting a grant proposal for a small business support initiative. You'll likely spend time in Salesforce updating donor records, preparing stewardship reports for current funders, and connecting with corporate partners about sponsorship opportunities for TAP's national programs.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Acceleration Project Is Looking For

  • Has 6+ years of development experience with demonstrated success in major gift cultivation ($25K+ gifts) and multi-channel fundraising campaigns
  • Possesses specific experience with foundation grants and corporate partnerships in the economic development or small business support sector
  • Is proficient with Salesforce CRM and can demonstrate how they've used data to optimize donor pipelines and fundraising strategies
  • Can articulate a genuine passion for TAP's mission with examples of how they've supported under-resourced communities or small businesses

📝 Tips for Applying to The Acceleration Project

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically: instead of 'increased donations,' state 'secured $500K in new foundation grants' or 'grew corporate partnerships by 40%'

2

Highlight any experience with small business support organizations, economic development nonprofits, or workforce development initiatives

3

Mention specific familiarity with remote fundraising strategies since this is a remote position serving a national organization

4

Include a brief statement in your resume about why TAP's focus on under-resourced small businesses resonates with you personally or professionally

5

If you have Salesforce experience, specify how you've used it for donor management, reporting, or pipeline tracking

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Demonstrate understanding of TAP's dual focus on business consulting and social impact by referencing specific programs or outcomes from their website", "Share a specific example of how you've cultivated a major donor or foundation relationship that resulted in sustained funding", 'Explain how your strategic thinking has helped develop or execute an annual fundraising plan with measurable results', "Connect your passion for economic mobility to TAP's mission with a personal or professional anecdote about supporting small businesses"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review TAP's specific programs like their consulting services, financial coaching, or marketing support to understand their service delivery model
  • → Identify current funders or partners mentioned on their website or annual report to understand their existing support network
  • → Research the challenges facing under-resourced small businesses in different regions to speak knowledgeably about TAP's impact
  • → Look for recent news, press releases, or social media to understand TAP's current initiatives and growth priorities
Visit The Acceleration Project's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing a fundraising strategy for a national remote organization serving small businesses across diverse communities?
2 Describe a time you identified and secured a new funding source for an organization with a similar social impact mission
3 How have you used CRM data (specifically Salesforce if possible) to optimize donor cultivation and stewardship?
4 What experience do you have with foundation grant writing and reporting for economic development or small business support programs?
5 How would you partner with a CDO to balance immediate fundraising goals with long-term relationship building?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic fundraising language without tailoring examples to TAP's specific focus on small business economic mobility
  • Failing to demonstrate remote work experience or strategies for building donor relationships without in-person meetings
  • Overemphasizing event fundraising or individual giving without showing experience with foundation grants and corporate partnerships

📅 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 The Acceleration Project!

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