Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Individual Giving (candidates can be based anywhere in the US)

at Climate Defiance

🏢 About Climate Defiance

Climate Defiance is a high-impact organization that uses nonviolent direct action and strategic communications to elevate climate change as a top political issue. Working here means joining a nimble, results-driven team that values bold action and innovation in the fight to end fossil fuels.

About This Role

As Director of Individual Giving, you will build and scale the individual donor program, focusing on securing four and five-figure gifts from a portfolio of 75+ donors. Your work directly fuels the organization's ability to mobilize mass turnout and disrupt business-as-usual, making you a key driver of Climate Defiance's growth and impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor portfolios and scheduling calls with prospects in different time zones. You could spend part of the day traveling to a donor event or meeting, followed by video calls with your team member to strategize on cultivation plans. Evenings might involve attending a virtual donor briefing or preparing materials for the Executive Director's upcoming donor meeting.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Climate Defiance

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Climate Defiance Is Looking For

  • A seasoned development professional with 5+ years of experience in individual giving, ideally in a nonprofit or advocacy setting, who has a proven track record of securing five-figure gifts.
  • An entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives on building programs from the ground up, including identifying and cultivating high-capacity prospects through events and database mining.
  • A relationship-builder who can manage a portfolio of 75+ donors with personalized, frequent touchpoints and can support the Executive Director in their fundraising efforts.
  • A highly mobile individual comfortable with 35-50% travel, ready to engage donors in person across the US and represent Climate Defiance's mission with passion and professionalism.

📝 Tips for Applying to Climate Defiance

1

Quantify your success: include specific numbers (e.g., 'grew major donor portfolio from 30 to 75, increasing revenue by 40%') to demonstrate your impact.

2

Highlight experience with scaling: describe a time you expanded a donor program or identified new prospects, aligning with Climate Defiance's need to scale up their major donor program.

3

Show alignment with direct action: mention any familiarity with or support for nonviolent civil disobedience, as this is core to their strategy.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize entrepreneurial, results-driven language: use words like 'built,' 'launched,' 'grew,' and 'exceeded targets'.

5

Address travel willingness explicitly: state your comfort with frequent travel and provide examples of remote work success.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for climate activism and specific examples of how you've used fundraising to advance a mission-driven organization.", 'Your experience in building and scaling a major donor program, including concrete results like increased donor retention or gift sizes.', 'Your ability to work independently and travel frequently, with examples of managing a portfolio remotely.', "How your entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with direct action align with Climate Defiance's culture of disruption and urgency."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Climate Defiance's recent campaigns and actions (e.g., disruptions of political events) to understand their tactics and messaging.
  • → Read their annual reports or donor communications if available to see how they currently engage supporters.
  • → Look up media coverage of Climate Defiance to grasp their public profile and the potential donor base.
  • → Research the board of directors and major funders to understand the existing donor landscape and where you could add value.
Visit Climate Defiance's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you successfully cultivated a five-figure gift from a new donor. What steps did you take?
2 How would you go about identifying high-capacity prospects from Climate Defiance's database of activists?
3 This role requires frequent travel. How do you manage your time and relationships while on the road?
4 Climate Defiance uses nonviolent direct action. How do you incorporate this into donor communications and stewardship?
5 How would you support the Executive Director in fundraising while managing your own portfolio and a team member?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Climate Defiance's unique approach of nonviolent direct action.
  • Downplaying the travel requirement or failing to demonstrate how you'll manage a remote, travel-heavy role.
  • Focusing only on stewardship without showing how you can identify and cultivate new donors, which is key for scaling.

📅 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 Climate Defiance!

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