Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Development
at Southeast Community Foundation
🏢 About Southeast Community Foundation
Southeast Community Foundation has been providing targeted small group tutoring to Los Angeles students since 2015, focusing on closing achievement gaps through high-impact interventions. What makes SCF unique is its localized, community-driven approach to educational equity, specifically serving the LA area with personalized academic support rather than broad national programs.
About This Role
As Head of Development, you'll lead strategic fundraising decisions and build a comprehensive plan to cultivate existing alliances while expanding SCF's donor base to support a $2M annual budget. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable the foundation's mission by securing funding for new initiatives and sustaining high-impact tutoring programs for LA students.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves strategizing with leadership on donor cultivation plans, meeting with existing LA-based philanthropic partners to strengthen alliances, and developing grant proposals or event strategies to diversify funding streams. You'll also analyze donor data to identify pipeline opportunities and collaborate with program staff to align fundraising with new tutoring initiatives.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Southeast Community Foundation Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years in nonprofit development with proven success in expanding donor relationships, specifically within education-focused organizations
- Demonstrates tangible experience cultivating existing donor alliances over time, not just acquiring new ones
- Possesses experience establishing fundraising infrastructure to grow budgets through major gifts, grants, and events
- Shows genuine passion for educational equity and SCF's mission of closing achievement gaps through targeted tutoring
📝 Tips for Applying to Southeast Community Foundation
Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically related to education or youth development nonprofits
Highlight experience with LA-area philanthropic networks or community foundations
Demonstrate how you've cultivated existing donor relationships over 3+ year periods
Show familiarity with small group tutoring or educational intervention programs
Connect your experience directly to growing a $2M+ annual budget through multiple funding streams
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience cultivating existing donor relationships in education nonprofits', "How you've designed and implemented comprehensive development plans for similar-sized organizations", "Your understanding of LA's educational landscape and philanthropic community", "Your passion for SCF's mission of targeted small group tutoring to close achievement gaps"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → SCF's specific tutoring programs and their impact metrics in LA schools
- → Current major donors or partners mentioned in SCF's annual reports or website
- → LA's educational achievement gaps and community foundation landscape
- → SCF's leadership team and their backgrounds in education
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on new donor acquisition without demonstrating cultivation of existing relationships
- Generic fundraising experience without education nonprofit specificity
- Not showing understanding of SCF's localized LA focus versus national education nonprofits
📅 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 Southeast Community Foundation!