Application Guide

How to Apply for Half-Time Executive Director

at THIS! Is What We Did

🏢 About THIS! Is What We Did

THIS! Is What We Did stands out as a national nonprofit that uniquely combines climate justice advocacy with intergenerational movement-building, specifically targeting the fossil fuel industry's influence. Unlike many environmental organizations, they focus on building power across age groups to drive systemic change, offering the chance to work on high-impact climate solutions in a remote, flexible structure.

About This Role

As Half-Time Executive Director, you'll lead the development of the Earth's Athletes program while managing all organizational functions from fundraising to staff supervision. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how youth and professional athletes engage with climate justice, building a movement that could shift cultural attitudes and policy outcomes in the fossil fuel fight.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions with remote staff on Earth's Athletes program development, followed by donor outreach calls to climate-focused foundations, and afternoon work on grant proposals or partnership discussions with sports organizations. You'd balance high-level organizational management with hands-on program design for youth engagement.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for THIS! Is What We Did

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who THIS! Is What We Did Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of nonprofit executive experience with demonstrated success in both program development (especially youth/education programs) and campaign organizing
  • Can point to specific fundraising achievements with individual donors and foundations in the climate/environmental justice space
  • Has experience managing remote teams while fostering inclusive workplaces with explicit DEI initiatives
  • Possesses strong public speaking skills with experience presenting to diverse audiences including athletes, schools, and donors

📝 Tips for Applying to THIS! Is What We Did

1

Quantify your climate justice or environmental program impact—specifically mention metrics like funds raised, people mobilized, or policy changes influenced

2

Highlight any experience working with athletes, sports organizations, or youth programs in your resume's bullet points

3

Research and reference their specific campaigns or Earth's Athletes program ideas in your application materials

4

Demonstrate your remote leadership experience by describing how you've managed distributed teams effectively

5

Show explicit understanding of intergenerational organizing by mentioning specific strategies you've used to engage different age groups

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience developing youth programs or campaigns that could translate to the Earth's Athletes initiative", "Examples of successful donor relationships you've built in the climate/environmental justice sector", "How you've fostered inclusive workplaces and managed remote teams in previous leadership roles", 'Your vision for growing an intergenerational movement against fossil fuel interests']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Their specific campaigns and current initiatives mentioned on their website or social media
  • → The fossil fuel industry targets they've previously engaged with or protested
  • → Their existing partnerships with sports organizations or schools
  • → Their funding model and major donors (if publicly available)
Visit THIS! Is What We Did's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design the first 90 days of the Earth's Athletes program rollout?
2 Describe your approach to fundraising from both individual donors and foundations in the climate space
3 How have you managed performance and inclusion in remote team environments?
4 What strategies would you use to engage professional athletes versus youth athletes differently?
5 How would you balance the part-time nature of this role with the executive responsibilities?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic environmental experience without showing specific climate justice or anti-fossil fuel campaign knowledge
  • Failing to address how you'd manage executive responsibilities in a part-time, remote structure
  • Not demonstrating concrete experience with both program development AND fundraising in your application

📅 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 THIS! Is What We Did!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →