Application Guide

How to Apply for Major Gifts and Donor Engagement Contractor

at Just Schools

🏢 About Just Schools

Just Schools is unique in its laser focus on creating safe, inclusive, and affirming educational environments specifically for queer and trans students in Arizona. Unlike broader education nonprofits, it combines education justice with anti-racist LGBTQ+ equity through direct advocacy and organizing. Someone would want to work here to directly impact marginalized students' lives while fundraising for a mission that's both politically charged and deeply personal to many communities.

About This Role

This Major Gifts and Donor Engagement Contractor role involves building a pipeline of high-capacity individual donors who are passionate about LGBTQ+ inclusive education in Arizona. You'll be responsible for identifying prospects, developing cultivation strategies, and closing five- and six-figure gifts while working with the board. The role is impactful because major gifts directly fund advocacy and organizing efforts that create systemic change in Arizona schools.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching high-capacity individual prospects in Arizona or California progressive networks, then crafting personalized outreach strategies based on their giving history to LGBTQ+ or education causes. You'd likely have virtual donor meetings to discuss Just Schools' specific impact on queer and trans students in Arizona, followed by detailed follow-up and stewardship planning. The day would balance independent prospect work with collaboration with the board on donor strategy and gift closure.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Just Schools Is Looking For

  • Has a proven track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors, with specific examples of gift amounts and cultivation timelines
  • Possesses existing relationships in Arizona philanthropic circles, California progressive networks, or national LGBTQ+ funding communities
  • Demonstrates comfort navigating politically charged fundraising environments, with experience in controversial or polarizing causes
  • Shows deep, authentic alignment with both education justice and anti-racist LGBTQ+ equity through previous work or personal commitment

📝 Tips for Applying to Just Schools

1

Quantify your major gifts experience with specific numbers: 'Closed 3 six-figure gifts in 18 months' rather than 'experienced in major gifts'

2

Explicitly mention your Arizona, California, or progressive network connections in your resume summary or cover letter

3

Include examples of fundraising in politically sensitive environments, such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, or other polarized causes

4

Demonstrate your understanding of Arizona's education landscape by referencing specific policies or school districts in your materials

5

Highlight board collaboration experience, as this role specifically mentions working with Just Schools' board on donor stewardship

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience closing five- and six-figure individual gifts with concrete examples and outcomes', 'Your existing relationships in Arizona, California, or progressive philanthropic networks relevant to education/LGBTQ+ causes', "Your personal alignment with Just Schools' dual mission of education justice and anti-racist LGBTQ+ equity", 'Your ability to operate independently in politically charged environments while building donor relationships']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Just Schools' specific advocacy campaigns and organizing efforts in Arizona schools over the past 2 years
  • → Arizona's current political landscape regarding LGBTQ+ rights in education, including recent legislation or school board policies
  • → Major philanthropic funders already supporting LGBTQ+ education work in Arizona or nationally
  • → The backgrounds of Just Schools' leadership and board members to understand their networks and priorities
Visit Just Schools's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your process for identifying and qualifying high-capacity individual prospects for a cause like LGBTQ+ inclusive education
2 Describe a time you successfully closed a five- or six-figure gift in a politically charged environment. What challenges did you face?
3 How would you approach building a major donor pipeline specifically for Arizona-focused education equity work?
4 What strategies would you use to steward donors who are passionate about both education justice and LGBTQ+ rights?
5 How have you previously collaborated with a board on donor engagement, and what lessons would you bring to Just Schools?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic fundraising language without specific examples of closing five- or six-figure individual gifts
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of the unique challenges of fundraising for LGBTQ+ causes in Arizona's political climate
  • Presenting as more comfortable with institutional fundraising rather than high-net-worth individual donor cultivation and stewardship

📅 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 Just Schools!

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