Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Global Philanthropy

at The Humane League

🏢 About The Humane League

The Humane League is a unique nonprofit focused exclusively on reducing farmed animal suffering through evidence-based programs and corporate campaigns. Unlike general animal welfare organizations, THL employs strategic, data-driven approaches to create systemic change in food systems. Working here offers the opportunity to directly impact animal welfare on a global scale within a mission-driven, collaborative environment.

About This Role

As Director of Global Philanthropy, you'll lead a $6M+ major gifts program, personally managing high-value donor relationships while developing strategies to grow philanthropic support for THL's programs. This role is impactful because it directly fuels the organization's ability to execute campaigns that reduce animal suffering worldwide, requiring both strategic vision and hands-on donor cultivation.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing donor pipeline data in EveryAction, strategizing cultivation approaches for high-value prospects, collaborating with program staff to understand funding needs for specific campaigns, and mentoring your team on donor engagement best practices. You'll balance long-term strategic planning with hands-on donor relationship management to advance THL's mission.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who The Humane League Is Looking For

  • Has 9+ years in nonprofit fundraising with 5+ years specifically managing major gifts portfolios generating $1M+ annually from individual donors
  • Demonstrates experience leading a major gifts program raising at least $5M annually and has 3+ years of direct staff management experience developing high-performance teams
  • Is proficient with CRM systems (specifically EveryAction) for portfolio management, pipeline tracking, and data-driven fundraising analysis
  • Possesses experience collaborating with program staff to align fundraising strategies with organizational priorities in the animal welfare or similar mission-driven sector

📝 Tips for Applying to The Humane League

1

Quantify your major gifts achievements using specific metrics (e.g., 'grew portfolio from $800K to $1.2M in 18 months' or 'secured 7-figure gifts from 3 new donors')

2

Highlight specific experience with EveryAction or similar nonprofit CRMs (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) in managing donor pipelines and tracking performance

3

Demonstrate knowledge of THL's specific programs by referencing campaigns like their corporate cage-free initiatives or international expansion efforts

4

Show how you've partnered with program staff to develop funding strategies that align with organizational priorities, not just fundraising targets

5

Include examples of developing and mentoring fundraising teams, emphasizing how you've built capacity in major gifts programs

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience managing $1M+ personal portfolios and contributing to $5M+ major gifts programs', "How you've used data analysis and CRM systems to optimize donor engagement and pipeline management", 'Your approach to collaborating with program teams to align fundraising with organizational impact goals', "Why THL's specific focus on farmed animal welfare and evidence-based approaches resonates with your professional values"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → THL's specific programs and campaigns (like their corporate cage-free work or international efforts) to understand their funding needs
  • → The organization's recent annual reports and impact metrics to understand their growth trajectory and priorities
  • → THL's leadership team and board members to understand organizational culture and strategic direction
  • → The effective animal advocacy movement and how THL fits within the broader landscape of farmed animal welfare organizations
Visit The Humane League's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would develop a strategy to grow THL's $6M+ major gifts program over the next 3 years
2 Describe your experience using EveryAction or similar CRMs to manage donor portfolios and track performance metrics
3 How would you collaborate with THL's program staff to identify funding needs for specific initiatives like corporate campaigns or international expansion?
4 Share an example of how you developed a high-performance fundraising team and mentored staff in major gifts cultivation
5 What metrics would you track to measure the success of THL's major gifts program beyond just dollars raised?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic fundraising experience without specific major gifts metrics and portfolio management examples
  • Failing to demonstrate knowledge of THL's specific mission and programs beyond general animal welfare interest
  • Overemphasizing event fundraising or grant writing when this role focuses exclusively on major individual gifts

📅 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 Humane League!

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