Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Philanthropy
at National Anti-Vivisection Society
🏢 About National Anti-Vivisection Society
The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) and its affiliate, IFER, are leading the charge to end animal testing by funding and promoting humane scientific alternatives. If you're passionate about animal welfare and want to drive systemic change in research and policy, NAVS offers a mission-driven remote culture where your work directly reduces animal suffering and advances ethical science.
About This Role
As Director of Philanthropy, you'll manage a portfolio of 75–125 major donors, cultivating relationships that yield gifts from $5,000 to $1M+ to fund alternatives to animal testing. You'll translate complex scientific and policy developments into compelling cases for support, collaborate with program teams, and lead donor events—making you a critical bridge between NAVS's mission and the resources needed to achieve it.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a virtual check-in with the development team, followed by reviewing donor portfolios and drafting personalized stewardship emails. You'll spend midday on a Zoom call with a major donor discussing NAVS's latest policy win, then collaborate with the science team to create an impact report for a $50k grant. Afternoon is dedicated to planning a virtual donor cultivation event featuring a researcher using organ-on-a-chip technology.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who National Anti-Vivisection Society Is Looking For
- A seasoned major gifts officer with 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, specifically managing a portfolio of 75+ donors and closing six-figure-plus gifts.
- Someone who can demystify scientific and ethical concepts (e.g., animal testing alternatives, 3Rs principles) and craft narratives that resonate with high-net-worth donors.
- A strategic relationship-builder who excels at personalized outreach, one-on-one meetings, and partnering with senior leadership to solicit major gifts.
- Comfortable working remotely and self-motivated to plan and execute donor cultivation events that deepen engagement with NAVS's mission.
📝 Tips for Applying to National Anti-Vivisection Society
In your cover letter, mention specific knowledge of animal testing issues or alternatives (e.g., organ-on-a-chip, computational models) to show genuine alignment with NAVS's mission.
Quantify your fundraising success with concrete numbers: total dollars raised, number of six-figure gifts closed, and percentage of portfolio growth or retention.
Highlight any experience translating complex topics (science, policy) into donor communications—provide an example of a proposal or impact report you've written.
Research NAVS's current campaigns (e.g., Be Cruelty-Free, Humane Science) and IFER's grant recipients to tailor your application to their specific priorities.
Emphasize remote work experience and your system for managing donor relationships without in-person meetings, including tools like CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and virtual event platforms.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for ending animal testing and advancing humane science—connect it to a personal or professional experience.', 'Proven track record of cultivating and closing major gifts ($100k+), with specific examples of strategies you used to build donor relationships.', 'Ability to communicate scientific and ethical concepts clearly to diverse audiences (donors, board, public).', 'Experience collaborating with program teams to translate mission impact into compelling donor materials.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore NAVS's website (navs.org) to understand their advocacy campaigns, educational resources, and recent victories (e.g., legislative bans on animal testing).
- → Review IFER's grant programs and funded research projects to see the types of alternatives they support (e.g., in vitro models, computer simulations).
- → Read NAVS's annual report or impact statements to understand their fundraising goals and how they measure success.
- → Familiarize yourself with key terms like 'humane science,' '3Rs,' and 'non-animal methods' to speak fluently in interviews.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic fundraising resume without tailoring it to animal welfare or scientific causes—NAVS wants mission alignment, not just skills.
- Avoid vague language like 'managed a portfolio' without specifics on gift sizes, retention rates, or strategies—use data.
- Don't overlook the remote aspect—failing to mention how you stay organized and connected with donors virtually can signal you're not prepared for a remote role.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to National Anti-Vivisection Society!