Application Guide

How to Apply for Major Gifts Officer

at Seva Foundation

🏢 About Seva Foundation

Seva Foundation is a globally respected nonprofit that has restored sight to over 72 million people in underserved communities since 1978. Its mission-driven culture and remote-first flexibility make it an inspiring place to work, where your fundraising efforts directly translate to life-changing eye care.

About This Role

As Major Gifts Officer, you will manage a portfolio of 75-100 high-net-worth donors, crafting personalized strategies to deepen their engagement and secure gifts of $5,000+. Your work will directly fund sight-restoring surgeries and blindness prevention programs, with the added responsibility of mentoring a Manager of Donor Relations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor portfolios and sending personalized thank-you notes or impact reports. You'll then have virtual meetings with 2-3 major donors to discuss their philanthropic goals, followed by a strategy session with the Manager of Donor Relations to plan stewardship events. Afternoon could involve analyzing giving trends with the Senior Manager of Development Operations and drafting a proposal for a six-figure gift.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Seva Foundation Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 5+ years of experience and a proven track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts, ideally in a global health or nonprofit setting.
  • A strategic relationship-builder who excels at tailoring cultivation plans and stewardship for individual donors, with strong analytical skills to track giving patterns.
  • An empathetic communicator who can tell compelling stories about Seva's impact and handle confidential donor information with discretion.
  • A collaborative leader who can mentor a junior team member and partner effectively with operations to meet fundraising targets.

📝 Tips for Applying to Seva Foundation

1

Highlight specific major gift solicitations you've led, including dollar amounts and the strategies used to secure them.

2

Demonstrate your familiarity with Seva's work by mentioning their flagship programs (e.g., the 5th Eye Camp) or their partnership model with local organizations.

3

Showcase your ability to work remotely by citing examples of self-directed portfolio management and virtual donor engagement.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize donor retention metrics and upgraded giving, not just total dollars raised.

5

Include a brief cover letter paragraph on why global eye care resonates with you personally.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for Seva's mission of restoring sight and preventing blindness in underserved communities.", "Concrete examples of how you've cultivated and solicited major gifts (five- and six-figure) with a strategic, donor-centric approach.", 'Your experience managing a portfolio of 75+ donors and using data to drive retention and upgrades.', 'Your leadership style and how you would mentor the Manager of Donor Relations to enhance donor stewardship.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Seva's latest annual report and impact metrics (e.g., number of surgeries, countries served).
  • → Learn about their signature programs like the '5th Eye Camp' and their model of training local doctors.
  • → Understand their donor recognition levels and stewardship practices (e.g., Seva Circle, Legacy Society).
  • → Read recent news or blog posts about their COVID-19 response or innovations in telemedicine for eye care.
Visit Seva Foundation's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would develop a cultivation plan for a new major donor prospect at Seva.
2 Describe a time you successfully upgraded a donor from a mid-level to a major gift. What was your strategy?
3 How do you track and analyze donor giving patterns to identify opportunities for increased engagement?
4 Seva works in remote, underserved areas. How would you communicate impact to donors to inspire continued support?
5 How would you approach mentoring the Manager of Donor Relations while managing your own portfolio?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Seva's specific programs or global impact.
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of major gift solicitations with dollar amounts and outcomes.
  • Overlooking the mentorship aspect of the role; be ready to discuss how you'll develop the Manager of Donor Relations.

📅 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 Seva Foundation!

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