Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Major Gifts

at Chef Ann Foundation

🏢 About Chef Ann Foundation

The Chef Ann Foundation is unique in its focused mission to transform school food systems through scratch-cooking programs, directly addressing childhood nutrition equity and environmental sustainability. Working here means contributing to tangible change in children's health while collaborating with food professionals nationwide, offering a rare blend of culinary passion and nonprofit impact.

About This Role

As Director of Major Gifts, you'll personally manage 75-100 donors capable of $5,000+ annual gifts, developing customized cultivation strategies to secure $500,000+ annually. This role directly fuels school food transformation programs, connecting donor passion with measurable outcomes in children's health and sustainable food systems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves virtual donor meetings to discuss school food program impacts, developing personalized cultivation plans for 5-7 portfolio donors, collaborating remotely with program teams to create compelling funding cases, and tracking progress toward the $500,000 annual target through donor management systems. You'll balance strategic planning with hands-on relationship building across time zones.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Chef Ann Foundation Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years specifically in major gifts fundraising with documented success closing $5,000+ gifts individually
  • Demonstrates portfolio management expertise with 75-100 donors and a track record of meeting/exceeding $500,000+ annual targets
  • Shows deep understanding of the full donor cycle from identification through stewardship with relationship-based strategies
  • Possesses genuine passion for food systems change, childhood nutrition, or educational equity that aligns with Chef Ann's mission

📝 Tips for Applying to Chef Ann Foundation

1

Quantify your major gifts achievements specifically: 'Managed portfolio of 80 donors, secured $550,000 annually through 15+ $5,000+ gifts'

2

Reference Chef Ann Foundation's specific programs like 'Get Schools Cooking' or 'The Lunch Box' to show mission alignment

3

Highlight experience with remote donor cultivation since this is a remote position working with donors across the US

4

Demonstrate understanding of school food systems or childhood nutrition initiatives in your experience examples

5

Show how you've developed multi-year cultivation strategies aligned with organizational plans, not just transactional fundraising

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Specific examples of managing 75+ donor portfolios and exceeding $500,000 annual targets', 'Demonstrated passion for food systems transformation or childhood nutrition equity', 'Experience developing cultivation strategies aligned with multi-year organizational plans', 'Success stories of moving donors through complete relationship cycles from identification to stewardship']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Chef Ann Foundation's specific programs: Get Schools Cooking, The Lunch Box, and Healthy School Food Pathway
  • → Founder Ann Cooper's background and public advocacy for school food reform
  • → Recent foundation impact reports showing program outcomes and funding needs
  • → School food policy landscape and how foundations fill gaps in public funding

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your process for developing individualized cultivation strategies for 75+ donors
2 How would you approach a donor interested in supporting scratch-cooking programs specifically?
3 Describe a time you secured a $5,000+ gift and the relationship-building process involved
4 How do you align major gifts strategy with organizational mission in the education/food space?
5 What metrics do you track to ensure portfolio management success with remote donors?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic fundraising experience without specific major gifts portfolio management examples
  • Focusing only on transactional fundraising rather than relationship-based cultivation strategies
  • No demonstrated knowledge or passion for food systems, nutrition, or educational equity

📅 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 Chef Ann Foundation!

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