Application Guide

How to Apply for MAJOR GIFTS MANAGER

at Movement For Black Lives

🏢 About Movement For Black Lives

The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) is a unique ecosystem of over 150 organizations united by a shared vision for Black liberation, grounded in abolition, anti-capitalism, and radical Black Queer Feminisms. Working here means being part of a transformative movement that centers the most marginalized and fights for systemic change, not just incremental reform.

About This Role

As Major Gifts Manager, you will lead the strategy to secure $25,000+ annual gifts from a portfolio of high-net-worth donors, driving critical resources for M4BL's campaigns and programs. This role is impactful because you'll directly fuel the movement's ability to win rights, control, and resources for Black people through personalized donor engagement and strategic events.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing your portfolio in EveryAction, prioritizing follow-ups with donors who have upcoming events. You could draft a personalized stewardship email to a $50K donor, then hop on a video call with a potential major donor in California. Afternoon might involve collaborating with the communications team on a donor newsletter and planning logistics for a regional house party in Atlanta.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Movement For Black Lives Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 3-5+ years of experience securing major and principal gifts, ideally within social justice or BIPOC-led organizations.
  • Proven ability to manage a portfolio of 50+ donors and move them through the full cultivation cycle, with a track record of closing gifts of $25,000+.
  • Deep alignment with M4BL's values: abolition, anti-capitalism, and Black Queer Feminism; understanding of how these principles inform fundraising (e.g., donor accountability, power dynamics).
  • Tech-savvy with proficiency in EveryAction or similar CRM, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office; comfortable using data to track moves management and report on progress.

📝 Tips for Applying to Movement For Black Lives

1

In your resume, explicitly quantify your major gifts success (e.g., 'Managed a portfolio of 60 donors, raising $1.2M annually with an average gift of $30,000').

2

Tailor your cover letter to explain how your fundraising approach aligns with M4BL's values—mention abolition or anti-capitalism to show genuine understanding, not just buzzwords.

3

Highlight experience with donor events, especially virtual or hybrid, as M4BL is remote and plans 2-3 in-person events per year.

4

If you have experience with EveryAction, mention it prominently; if not, demonstrate quick learning ability with other CRMs.

5

Show your commitment to Black liberation beyond work—e.g., volunteerism, community organizing, or personal connection to the movement.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your personal alignment with M4BL's mission and values, and how your fundraising experience advances social justice.", "Provide specific examples of major gifts you've secured and the strategies used (e.g., regional events, personalized stewardship).", 'Demonstrate understanding of donor accountability—how you ensure fundraising respects the dignity of communities and avoids extractive practices.', 'Mention your ability to work remotely and independently, while collaborating with a distributed team across time zones.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read M4BL's policy platform (M4BL.org/platform) to understand their key demands and how major gifts support them.
  • → Review recent campaigns and victories (e.g., policy wins, coalition actions) to speak knowledgeably about impact.
  • → Study M4BL's organizational structure—it's an ecosystem, not a traditional nonprofit—and how fundraising fits.
  • → Look up their donor transparency and accountability practices (e.g., how they report back to donors).
Visit Movement For Black Lives's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you approach major gift fundraising in a way that aligns with anti-capitalist and abolitionist values?
2 Describe a time you cultivated a donor who was initially skeptical of a social justice organization—what worked?
3 How would you design a regional event to engage major donors while being mindful of budget and equity?
4 What experience do you have with EveryAction or similar CRMs? How do you use data to prioritize donor moves?
5 How do you handle the tension between needing to raise money and ensuring the organization's values are not compromised?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid cookie-cutter language about 'changing the world' without connecting it to M4BL's specific framework of abolition and Black feminism.
  • Do not emphasize personal ambition or career advancement over the movement's goals—this role requires humility and collective focus.
  • Never suggest that fundraising is 'just a job' or that you are apolitical—M4BL expects deep ideological commitment.

📅 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 Movement For Black Lives!

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