Application Guide

How to Apply for NECHAMA: Development Director

at NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster

🏢 About NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster

NECHAMA is the only national Jewish organization dedicated to long-term disaster recovery in the U.S., offering a unique blend of hands-on volunteerism and professional relief work. Working here means directly embodying Jewish values of compassion and repair, while making a tangible difference in communities devastated by natural disasters.

About This Role

As Development Director, you will architect and lead NECHAMA's fundraising strategy to sustain and grow its critical disaster response operations. You'll personally manage major donor relationships, oversee institutional giving, and foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization, ensuring resources are available when disasters strike.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing a grant proposal deadline while checking Salesforce for donor updates. Mid-morning, you could hop on a video call with a major donor in Florida, then spend the afternoon strategizing with the CEO on a upcoming campaign. Evenings may involve virtual networking with Jewish community leaders or preparing a board presentation on fundraising progress.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 10+ years of nonprofit experience, specifically in major gifts and foundation fundraising, and a proven track record of growing revenue streams.
  • A strategic thinker who can develop a multi-year fundraising plan and execute it, balancing major donor cultivation, grant writing, and corporate partnerships.
  • A CRM-savvy leader with strong Salesforce skills, capable of tracking donor interactions and reporting on fundraising progress.
  • A culturally aware professional familiar with the Jewish philanthropic landscape, able to engage Jewish community funders and align fundraising with Jewish values.

📝 Tips for Applying to NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster

1

Highlight your experience with disaster relief or emergency response fundraising, even if indirectly (e.g., COVID-19 relief).

2

Demonstrate specific results: mention dollar amounts raised, number of donors cultivated, or growth percentages in your portfolio.

3

Show your Salesforce proficiency by mentioning specific reports or workflows you've built or managed.

4

Emphasize any connections to Jewish community organizations, federations, or foundations.

5

Tailor your cover letter to reflect NECHAMA's mission of 'humanizing Jews' and 'spreading comfort and hope'—use their language.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for disaster recovery and how it aligns with Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world).', 'Concrete examples of diversifying revenue streams and successfully closing major gifts or grants.', 'Your ability to work remotely and collaborate with a small, mission-driven team.', 'Any experience with or knowledge of the Jewish philanthropic landscape and how you can leverage it for NECHAMA.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review NECHAMA's recent disaster response efforts (e.g., Hurricane Ian, California wildfires) to understand their operational needs.
  • → Read the organization's annual reports and financial statements to see revenue breakdowns and major funders.
  • → Explore the Jewish philanthropic landscape: key federations, foundations (e.g., The Jewish Federations of North America), and donor-advised funds.
  • → Learn about NECHAMA's volunteer programs and how they integrate with fundraising (e.g., volunteer trips can be donor cultivation opportunities).
Visit NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to developing a multi-year fundraising strategy for a small but growing nonprofit.
2 How would you engage the Board in fundraising and build a culture of philanthropy?
3 Tell us about a time you managed a major donor relationship from cultivation to solicitation to stewardship.
4 How do you prioritize competing fundraising activities (events, grants, major gifts) with limited resources?
5 What experience do you have with Salesforce, and how would you use it to track and report on fundraising progress?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic fundraising cover letter—failing to mention disaster recovery or Jewish values shows lack of research.
  • Avoid overstating your Salesforce skills if you're not proficient; they specifically require it, so be honest and mention willingness to learn.
  • Don't ignore the remote aspect—emphasize your self-discipline, communication skills, and experience working independently.

📅 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 NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster!

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