Application Guide

How to Apply for Major Gifts Officer - Dallas, Texas

at Covenant House International

🏢 About Covenant House International

Covenant House International is a globally respected organization dedicated to ending youth homelessness, operating in 34 cities across the Americas. Their holistic approach—providing housing, trauma healing, and independence pathways—makes them a mission-driven workplace where your work directly transforms lives. The remote flexibility and focus on North Texas allow you to make a local impact while being part of a worldwide network.

About This Role

As the Major Gifts Officer for Dallas, Texas, you will be the face of Covenant House in the region, building and managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors to secure gifts of $10,000+. Your work directly fuels programs that shelter, heal, and empower homeless youth, making every conversation and event a step toward ending youth homelessness.

💡 A Day in the Life

You’ll start your day reviewing donor moves and updating your CRM, then spend the morning on virtual meetings with prospects or stewardship calls. Afternoons might involve drafting personalized gift proposals, collaborating with the national team on strategy, or attending virtual events. Once a month, you’ll travel to Dallas for local donor meetings or site visits to Covenant House programs.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Covenant House International Is Looking For

  • A relationship-builder with 2-5 years of major gifts or nonprofit corporate partnership experience, ideally with a track record of securing five-figure gifts.
  • An exceptional communicator who can articulate Covenant House’s mission with passion and tailor messages to inspire donors in the North Texas market.
  • A self-starter who thrives in a remote environment, proactively managing a donor portfolio and collaborating virtually with a national team.
  • Proficient in donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and Microsoft Office, with comfort using data to track moves and report progress.

📝 Tips for Applying to Covenant House International

1

In your resume, highlight specific dollar amounts raised or portfolio growth metrics from past major gifts roles.

2

Tailor your cover letter to show you understand Covenant House’s unique focus on youth homelessness and trafficking—mention their national reach and local Dallas presence.

3

Demonstrate remote-work readiness: include examples of self-directed projects and virtual collaboration with teams across time zones.

4

Research North Texas philanthropists and mention any local connections or knowledge of the Dallas giving landscape in your application.

5

If you have experience with donor data software, list it prominently; if not, emphasize your quick learning ability and proficiency with CRMs.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Express genuine passion for Covenant House’s mission to end youth homelessness and trafficking, linking it to your personal or professional values.', "Highlight your experience in major gifts fundraising, specifically with gifts of $10,000+, and quantify your success (e.g., 'Managed a portfolio of 100+ donors and raised $500K annually').", 'Showcase your ability to work independently in a remote role, providing an example of a successful campaign you led from start to finish without daily supervision.', 'Demonstrate knowledge of the Dallas philanthropic community—mention any local events, foundations, or networks you’re connected to.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Covenant House’s annual report and latest impact statistics to understand their outcomes and priorities.
  • → Explore their website and news section for recent initiatives or campaigns in Texas or nationally.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the youth homelessness landscape in Dallas, including key statistics and local partner organizations.
  • → Look up the major gifts team structure on LinkedIn to understand who you’d be working with and reporting to.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a pipeline of major donors in the Dallas area, given you may not have an existing network?
2 Describe a time you cultivated a donor from initial contact to a major gift—what steps did you take?
3 How do you stay motivated and organized while working remotely, especially with a portfolio that requires constant outreach?
4 What do you know about Covenant House’s programs and how they differ from other youth homelessness organizations?
5 Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with other departments (e.g., marketing, programs) to secure a gift—how did you ensure alignment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t submit a generic cover letter—this role requires specific passion for youth homelessness; vague mission statements won’t stand out.
  • Avoid downplaying the need for data proficiency; the job requires tracking donor moves, so be honest about your skills or willingness to learn CRMs.
  • Don’t ignore the remote nature of the role—if you’re not comfortable with self-direction and virtual collaboration, this isn’t the right fit.

📅 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 Covenant House International!

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