Application Guide
How to Apply for Major Gifts Officer
at WaterAid America
🏢 About WaterAid America
WaterAid America is the US affiliate of the global WaterAid federation, which works in 30+ countries to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere. Unlike many nonprofits, WaterAid combines grassroots implementation with high-level policy advocacy, and its global federation structure offers unique opportunities to collaborate across borders. Working here means joining a nimble, mission-driven team where your fundraising directly translates into life-changing water and sanitation projects.
About This Role
As a Major Gifts Officer, you will be a frontline fundraiser responsible for building and managing a portfolio of approximately 55 current and prospective donors, focusing on gifts from $5,000 to low six figures. You will personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, while also supporting the Director of Major Gifts and collaborating with colleagues across WaterAid America and the global federation. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on relationship-building and wants to see the tangible impact of their fundraising on global water access.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve conducting donor research, preparing personalized solicitation materials, and making phone calls or virtual meetings with donors to cultivate relationships or make asks. You might also collaborate with the Director of Major Gifts on portfolio strategy, update the CRM with donor interactions, and coordinate with colleagues in other WaterAid offices to align on global initiatives. Some days will be more administrative, ensuring donor data is accurate and gift processing is smooth, while others will be heavily focused on donor engagement.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who WaterAid America Is Looking For
- At least 3-5 years of frontline fundraising experience, with a proven track record of soliciting and closing five-figure gifts from individual donors.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to listen deeply, tell compelling stories, and build authentic relationships with high-net-worth donors.
- Self-motivated and results-oriented, comfortable working remotely and independently while also contributing to a small, collaborative team of two.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills, with experience managing donor portfolios, using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge), and supporting operational tasks as needed.
- A genuine passion for WaterAid's mission and values, and a commitment to ethical fundraising practices.
📝 Tips for Applying to WaterAid America
Quantify your fundraising results in your resume and cover letter—specify the number of donors you managed, the average gift size, and total revenue raised, especially in the $5K-$100K range.
Highlight any experience working with global or international organizations, even if not in WASH, to show you can navigate cross-cultural contexts and a federated structure.
Demonstrate your ability to work remotely and independently by mentioning specific tools and strategies you've used to stay organized and connected with donors and colleagues.
In your cover letter, tell a brief story about a donor relationship you built from scratch and the outcome, showcasing your relationship-driven approach and persistence.
Research WaterAid's recent campaigns or initiatives (e.g., the 'Water Effect' or climate resilience work) and mention how you would engage donors around these specific programs.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your direct experience soliciting and closing five-figure gifts, with concrete examples; (2) your ability to build authentic, long-term donor relationships and your approach to stewardship; (3) your comfort working in a small team where you'll need to pitch in on administrative tasks; and (4) your alignment with WaterAid's values and mission, perhaps referencing a personal connection to water issues or global development.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore WaterAid's global strategy and recent impact reports to understand the scale and focus of their work, especially in the countries where they operate.
- → Learn about the WaterAid federation structure—how WaterAid America fits in and collaborates with other member countries—to speak intelligently about cross-border fundraising.
- → Review the LinkedIn profiles of the Director of Major Gifts and other team members to understand their backgrounds and potential synergies.
- → Look up recent news about WaterAid's campaigns, partnerships, or advocacy wins to reference in your application and interviews.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid focusing only on your ability to close gifts without emphasizing relationship-building and stewardship, as this role is heavily relationship-driven.
- Don't neglect to mention your experience with CRM systems and data management, as managing a portfolio requires strong administrative skills.
- Avoid generic statements about wanting to work in international development; instead, show specific knowledge of WaterAid's mission and approach.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to WaterAid America!