How to apply for Advancement Director, West

About Sierraclub

The Sierra Club is the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with nearly 700 staff and 64 local chapters driven by thousands of volunteers. It is unique for its deep commitment to interdependence—fighting for a healthy climate rooted in environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice—and for being a unionized employer where more than half of employees are represented by labor unions. Working here means joining a bold, transformational agenda at the intersection of ecology, race, and representative government.

About the role

As Advancement Director, West, you will be a key frontline fundraiser for the Sierra Club's Advancement team, focusing on major gifts from donors in the Western U.S., with a preference for the Pacific Northwest. You will manage a portfolio of major donors, develop cultivation and solicitation strategies, and work closely with volunteer leaders and chapter staff to align fundraising with the organization's strategic priorities. This role is impactful because it directly fuels the Sierra Club's fight for climate justice and a healthy planet, turning donor passion into resources for grassroots action.

A typical day

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with donors and chapter leaders, drafting personalized solicitation materials, and updating the donor database. You could also be preparing for an upcoming trip to meet with a major donor in Seattle or Portland, coordinating with volunteer fundraising committees, and collaborating with colleagues across the Advancement team to align strategies. Expect a mix of remote work and travel, with a focus on building relationships that advance the Sierra Club's mission.

Who Sierraclub is looking for

• Proven experience in major gifts fundraising, with a track record of soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors.
• Strong understanding of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice issues, and the ability to articulate how philanthropy advances these interconnected causes.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, chapters, or grassroots networks, and comfort navigating a federated, unionized organizational structure.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to travel regularly across the West region to meet donors and attend events.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your major gifts experience with specific metrics—dollar amounts raised, number of donors managed, and gift closures—in your resume and cover letter.
• Demonstrate your commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) by weaving in examples of how you've integrated these values into your fundraising work.
• Mention your familiarity with the Pacific Northwest or Western U.S. donor landscape, and express willingness to travel extensively within the region.
• Research the Sierra Club's current campaigns (e.g., Beyond Coal, Clean Transportation for All) and reference them in your application to show alignment.
• If you have experience in a unionized or volunteer-led environment, emphasize it—Sierra Club values collaborative decision-making and grassroots engagement.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your direct experience securing major gifts and managing a donor portfolio, with concrete results; (2) your passion for the Sierra Club's mission and its intersectional approach to environmental justice; (3) your ability to work effectively with volunteers, chapters, and union colleagues in a remote, travel-heavy role; and (4) your connection to the West region and understanding of its donor communities.

Research before applying

• Explore the Sierra Club's website, especially the Advancement section, annual reports, and recent major campaigns to understand fundraising priorities.
• Read about the Sierra Club's unionization efforts and its commitment to being a unionized employer, as this reflects the organizational culture.
• Research the Pacific Northwest environmental landscape and key Sierra Club chapters in the region (e.g., Oregon, Washington, British Columbia) to tailor your outreach.
• Look up recent news about Sierra Club's climate justice initiatives and any recent major gifts or fundraising milestones to reference in your application.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Tell us about a time you successfully solicited a major gift. What was your strategy, and how did you navigate challenges?
• How would you approach building a major gifts pipeline in the Pacific Northwest, given the Sierra Club's grassroots and volunteer-led structure?
• Describe your experience working with volunteer leaders or chapters. How do you balance their input with organizational fundraising priorities?
• How do you incorporate principles of racial, economic, and gender justice into your fundraising work?
• This role requires significant travel. How do you manage your time and stay effective while on the road?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention the Sierra Club's specific mission or the West region—this role requires genuine passion for environmental and social justice.
• Don't neglect to quantify your fundraising achievements; vague statements like 'helped with fundraising' won't stand out.
• Avoid showing reluctance to travel or work with volunteers; this role is highly collaborative and travel-intensive, so any hesitation could be a red flag.