Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Philanthropy

at Animal Legal Defense Fund

🏢 About Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is a pioneering organization that uses the power of the legal system to protect animals and advance their interests. Unlike many animal welfare groups, ALDF focuses on high-impact litigation, legal advocacy, and policy reform, making it a unique and influential force in the animal protection movement. Working here means contributing to groundbreaking legal efforts that hold animal abusers accountable and set precedents for animal law.

About This Role

As Head of Philanthropy, you will lead the major and principal gifts program, managing a team of four fundraisers while personally cultivating and soliciting six- and seven-figure gifts. This role is critical to ALDF's growth, as you will build the infrastructure, systems, and culture needed to scale philanthropic revenue and secure transformational investments that fuel the organization's legal work.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team check-in to review progress on donor outreach and pipeline development, followed by a one-on-one coaching session with a philanthropy manager. You might then spend the afternoon preparing for a virtual meeting with a prospective principal donor, crafting a personalized cultivation plan, or analyzing data to refine the team's focus. Evenings could involve attending a virtual donor event or reviewing a major gift proposal.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Animal Legal Defense Fund Is Looking For

  • Proven track record in major gifts fundraising (ideally $10k+), with experience securing six- and seven-figure commitments, preferably in a legal, advocacy, or mission-driven nonprofit.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience building and motivating a high-performing fundraising team, including setting goals, coaching, and fostering a culture of accountability.
  • Deep understanding of animal law, animal protection issues, or a demonstrated passion for ALDF's mission, with the ability to articulate the legal impact of philanthropy.
  • Excellent strategic thinking and communication skills, able to design and implement a comprehensive major gifts program, including donor pipelines, stewardship plans, and data-driven performance metrics.

📝 Tips for Applying to Animal Legal Defense Fund

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific fundraising results (e.g., 'Grew major gifts revenue by 40% over two years') rather than just listing duties.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to ALDF's legal mission—mention any familiarity with animal law or high-impact litigation.

3

Research ALDF's recent cases and campaigns (e.g., their work on factory farming, wildlife, or companion animals) and reference them to show genuine interest.

4

Emphasize experience with remote team management, as this role is fully remote and requires leading a distributed team effectively.

5

Prepare to discuss how you would build a principal gifts program from scratch or expand an existing one, as ALDF is establishing its first dedicated principal giving position.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for animal protection and how it aligns with ALDF's unique legal approach.", "Specific examples of major gifts you've secured and how you cultivated those donors.", 'Your leadership philosophy and experience managing fundraisers, especially in a remote setting.', "Your vision for scaling ALDF's philanthropy program, including any ideas for systems, processes, or donor engagement strategies."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about ALDF's most high-profile cases, such as their work on behalf of animals in factory farms, puppy mills, or wildlife trafficking.
  • → Study ALDF's annual reports and financials to understand their revenue mix and the role of individual giving.
  • → Review the bios of the Development Director and current philanthropy team to understand their backgrounds and priorities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the animal law field and key players, such as other nonprofits or law firms involved in animal protection.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you secured a six- or seven-figure gift. What was your strategy, and how did you involve the donor in the mission?
2 How would you assess and improve the performance of a team of fundraisers? Share an example of coaching a team member to success.
3 What do you know about ALDF's recent litigation victories, and how would you leverage them in donor conversations?
4 How would you build a pipeline of principal gift prospects for an organization that hasn't had a dedicated principal giving program?
5 What metrics would you use to track the success of the major gifts program, and how would you report progress to the Development Director?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention ALDF's specific mission or legal focus—generic animal welfare language won't resonate.
  • Avoid focusing solely on your fundraising numbers without connecting them to the mission—ALDF wants to see how you inspire donors with purpose.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of team leadership—this role requires building a culture, so avoid appearing only as an individual contributor.

📅 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 Animal Legal Defense Fund!

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