Application Guide

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

at Climate Defiance

🏢 About Climate Defiance

Climate Defiance is a bold, unapologetic climate organization that uses mass turnout, nonviolent direct action, and strategic communications to elevate climate change as a top political issue. Unlike incremental groups, they hold decision-makers accountable and have already built a successful event model featuring high-profile speakers. This is a place for fundraisers who want to support cutting-edge, confrontational climate activism.

About This Role

As Director of Individual Giving, you will build and deepen relationships with donors across the country who are fed up with the status quo. You'll manage a portfolio of current donors, convert event attendees into long-term supporters, and identify new prospects to fund nonviolent direct action and strategic communications. Your work directly enables Climate Defiance to scale its impact and hold fossil fuel interests accountable.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor portfolios and sending personalized follow-ups to event attendees. You'd then hop on virtual meetings with major donors or prospects, discussing Climate Defiance's latest action and its impact. Afternoon could involve strategizing with the team on pipeline growth, analyzing event data to identify new prospects, and drafting a cultivation plan for a high-net-worth individual.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Climate Defiance

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Climate Defiance Is Looking For

  • Seasoned development professional with 5+ years of experience in individual giving, major gifts, or donor relations, ideally in a climate or social justice nonprofit.
  • Fired up about the climate crisis and comfortable with confrontational, direct-action tactics—not just incremental policy change.
  • Skilled at building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and converting event attendees into committed donors.
  • Able to work remotely and independently, with strong organizational skills to build systems and pipelines from scratch.

📝 Tips for Applying to Climate Defiance

1

In your resume, highlight specific dollar amounts raised from individual donors and any experience with event-based fundraising (e.g., galas, VIP gatherings).

2

Mention your familiarity with nonviolent direct action or climate activism—even if just as a volunteer—to show alignment with Climate Defiance's mission.

3

Tailor your cover letter to explain why you're drawn to their confrontational approach, not just climate change in general.

4

Include examples of how you've built donor pipelines or systems from scratch, as the role requires building the major donor program.

5

Research their recent actions and events (e.g., protests, celebrity speakers) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for bold climate action and alignment with Climate Defiance's unapologetic, direct-action strategy.", 'Proven track record of raising funds from individual donors, especially major gifts and event conversions.', 'Experience building fundraising systems or programs from the ground up.', 'Ability to work remotely and manage a portfolio of donors across the US.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Climate Defiance's recent actions and media coverage to understand their tactics and public perception.
  • → Look at their event history—speakers, attendance, and any donor conversion data they've shared publicly.
  • → Understand the broader climate funding landscape: which foundations and major donors support direct-action groups.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their leadership team and their backgrounds to anticipate cultural fit.
Visit Climate Defiance's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you convert a first-time event attendee into a recurring major donor?
2 Describe a time you built a donor pipeline from scratch. What steps did you take?
3 How do you feel about nonviolent direct action as a fundraising tool? How would you sell it to donors?
4 What's your approach to managing a remote portfolio of donors across different time zones?
5 How would you measure success in the first 6 months as Director of Individual Giving?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus only on traditional, incremental climate solutions—emphasize your comfort with disruptive tactics.
  • Avoid generic fundraising language; be specific about your experience with individual giving and event conversions.
  • Don't overlook the remote aspect: show you have systems for managing relationships without in-person meetings.

📅 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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