How to apply for Philanthropy Officer, Animal Welfare

About The Humane League

The Humane League is a global nonprofit working to end the abuse of animals raised for food, recognized as a Top Charity by Animal Charity Evaluators for multiple years running. As a fully remote organization with 100+ staff across the globe, THL is a high-impact, mission-driven team that uses strategic, evidence-based approaches to dismantle factory farming. Working here means joining a bold, accountable, and collaborative movement that sets ambitious goals and continuously improves to create lasting change for farmed animals.

About the role

As a Philanthropy Officer, you will be central to sustaining and expanding THL's impact by securing philanthropic resources from major donors and partners. You will build, cultivate, and steward trust-based relationships with high-capacity donors, aligning their interests with THL's strategic priorities. This role is critical for driving sustainable progress for farmed animals worldwide, making it both a fundraising and mission-critical position.

A typical day

A typical day might involve researching and identifying new major donor prospects, preparing personalized outreach materials, and conducting virtual meetings with current or potential donors to cultivate relationships. You might also collaborate with THL's programs and leadership teams to align donor interests with organizational priorities, and update donor records and strategies in the CRM. The role is highly autonomous but connected, requiring regular check-ins with colleagues across time zones to share insights and coordinate efforts.

Who The Humane League is looking for

• Proven track record of engaging and securing high-capacity donors (e.g., six-figure gifts) in a nonprofit or mission-driven setting, ideally in animal welfare or a related cause.
• Strategic and relationship-driven fundraiser with strong interpersonal acumen and the ability to build trust-based partnerships that inspire significant giving.
• Mission-driven and aligned with THL's goal to end factory farming, with a deep commitment to animal welfare and evidence-based advocacy.
• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a fully remote, global team environment, with excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across borders.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of major gifts you have secured, including gift amounts, donor types, and your role in the cultivation and stewardship process.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of THL's mission and approach by referencing their Top Charity status and their strategic focus on dismantling factory farming in your application.
• Emphasize your ability to work remotely and collaboratively across time zones, as THL is a fully remote organization with staff worldwide.
• Show your alignment with THL's values of bold goal-setting, continuous improvement, and accountability by sharing relevant professional or volunteer experiences.
• Use language that reflects THL's high-impact, strategic culture—avoid generic nonprofit fundraising language and instead focus on measurable outcomes and donor-centered strategies.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience in securing major gifts from high-capacity donors, with concrete examples of gifts secured and your specific contributions.', "Your understanding of and commitment to THL's mission to end factory farming, and why you are motivated to fundraise for this cause specifically.", 'Your ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships with donors, including how you align donor interests with organizational priorities.', 'Your experience working in a remote, global team and how you stay connected and effective in that environment.']

Research before applying

• Explore The Humane League's website, annual reports, and recent campaigns to understand their strategic priorities and impact metrics.
• Research Animal Charity Evaluators' rationale for rating THL as a Top Charity, to understand what makes their approach effective.
• Look into THL's major donors and philanthropic partners (if publicly available) to get a sense of their donor base and giving patterns.
• Read about the factory farming industry and current animal welfare issues to speak knowledgeably about the cause during interviews.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Can you walk us through a time you successfully cultivated a major donor relationship from identification to solicitation? What was your strategy?
• How do you align donor interests with organizational priorities when they may not perfectly match?
• What do you know about The Humane League's approach to ending factory farming, and how would you communicate that to a potential donor?
• How do you handle rejection or a declined gift from a major donor? What steps do you take next?
• Describe your experience working remotely and collaborating with a global team. How do you maintain strong relationships with colleagues and donors?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on general fundraising skills without demonstrating specific experience with high-capacity major donors and six-figure gifts.
• Showing a lack of genuine passion for animal welfare or THL's mission—this role requires a deep commitment to the cause, not just fundraising expertise.
• Neglecting to mention remote work experience or ability to collaborate across borders, as THL is fully remote and global.