Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Development

at Earthspecies

🏢 About Earthspecies

Earth Species Project (ESP) is a unique non-profit using cutting-edge AI to decode animal communication, aiming to transform human-nature relationships. Supported by prominent philanthropists like Reid Hoffman and the National Geographic Society, ESP offers a chance to work at the intersection of technology, biology, and conservation, with a mission that is both scientifically groundbreaking and deeply meaningful.

About This Role

As Director of Development, you will own ESP’s fundraising strategy, scaling from an $8M to $13M budget in 2026, focusing on major gifts, foundations, and government grants. This role is critical to sustaining ESP’s rapid growth and enabling its ambitious research agenda, reporting directly to the CEO and supervising an existing development team.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a virtual check-in with your development team to review pipeline progress, followed by a call with a prospective major donor to pitch ESP’s latest research breakthrough. Afternoon could involve drafting a foundation proposal or meeting with the CEO to align on fundraising priorities, capped by a virtual happy hour with the research team to learn about new findings to share with donors.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Earthspecies Is Looking For

  • Proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, specifically securing six- and seven-figure major gifts and foundation grants, ideally in science, technology, or conservation sectors.
  • Experience scaling fundraising operations in a fast-growing organization, with ability to build and manage a pipeline to meet aggressive revenue targets (e.g., $5M+ increase in one year).
  • Strong relationship-building skills with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and government agencies, plus comfort with AI and technology concepts to communicate ESP’s work effectively.
  • Leadership experience supervising a development team and collaborating cross-functionally with research and communications staff in a remote-first environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthspecies

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable fundraising achievements (e.g., 'Secured $3M in major gifts in 2024' or 'Expanded foundation portfolio by 40%').

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience with ESP’s mission—mention any passion for AI, animal communication, or conservation, and how you’d leverage that to attract donors.

3

Research ESP’s key funders (e.g., Reid Hoffman, Waverley Street Foundation) and reference them in your application to show you understand their donor base.

4

Since ESP is 100% philanthropic, emphasize your ability to diversify revenue streams (e.g., government grants, corporate partnerships) beyond traditional foundations.

5

Prepare a brief fundraising plan or pitch for the CEO interview, showing how you’d approach the $8M-to-$13M growth in 2026.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with major gifts and foundations in a science or tech-focused nonprofit, with concrete examples of revenue growth.', 'Your enthusiasm for ESP’s mission—using AI to understand non-human communication—and how it aligns with your personal or professional values.', 'Your strategic vision for scaling fundraising, including how you’d cultivate new donor segments (e.g., tech philanthropists, government agencies) while stewarding existing supporters.', 'Your leadership style and experience managing a development team in a remote, collaborative environment.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read ESP’s latest research publications or blog posts on AI and animal communication to understand their scientific approach and impact.
  • → Review their current donor list and key supporters (e.g., Reid Hoffman, McGovern Foundation) to identify potential connections or gaps.
  • → Study the competitive landscape—other nonprofits using AI for conservation (e.g., WildTrack, Rainforest Connection)—to differentiate ESP’s value proposition.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the CEO’s background and ESP’s strategic plan (if available) to align your fundraising vision with organizational goals.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a fundraising plan to grow ESP’s budget from $8M to $13M in one year? What donor segments would you prioritize?
2 Describe a time you secured a major gift from a high-net-worth individual. What was your approach and how did you tailor the ask?
3 How do you stay informed about trends in AI and conservation to effectively communicate ESP’s work to potential donors?
4 Given ESP’s remote culture, how would you build relationships with donors and manage your team without in-person interaction?
5 What experience do you have with government grants (e.g., NSF, NIH) and how would you explore this new revenue stream for ESP?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic fundraising resume without specific, quantifiable achievements in major gifts or foundation grants.
  • Underestimating the importance of AI literacy—failing to show genuine interest or understanding of ESP’s core technology could signal misalignment.
  • Focusing only on individual donors while ignoring the need to build a diversified pipeline including foundations and government grants, which are critical for ESP’s growth.

📅 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 Earthspecies!

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