Application Guide

How to Apply for Reach Out and Read National Associate Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer)

at Positively Partners

🏢 About Positively Partners

Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit that integrates children's books and shared reading into pediatric well-child visits, partnering with clinicians to build early literacy skills. Working here offers the chance to directly impact 4.8 million children annually across 6,800 clinics, combining a mission-driven culture with a collaborative, data-informed approach to philanthropy.

About This Role

This role focuses on managing a portfolio of 100-125 major donors ($1,000-$25,000), developing personalized engagement plans, and soliciting gifts through strategic moves management. As the National Associate Director of Development, you'll collaborate with leadership to identify funding opportunities and drive a culture of philanthropy, directly supporting the expansion of a proven early literacy program.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor portfolio data and prioritizing outreach. You could spend the morning drafting personalized proposals or stewardship emails, followed by virtual meetings with donors or internal colleagues to discuss funding opportunities. Afternoons might involve analyzing fundraising metrics, preparing for a donor event, or collaborating with the team on a cultivation strategy.

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Positively Partners Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 7+ years of donor-facing experience, ideally in large nonprofits or with diverse communities, who has closed gifts of $10,000+.
  • A strategic relationship builder skilled in moves management, data analytics, and crafting personalized proposals to retain, upgrade, and steward donors.
  • A proactive, self-motivated professional who thrives in a remote environment and can effectively engage and inspire donors from various backgrounds.
  • A collaborative team player who can work cross-functionally with internal staff and leadership to align fundraising with organizational priorities.

📝 Tips for Applying to Positively Partners

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable results from major gift solicitations (e.g., 'Closed $50K in new gifts from a portfolio of 100 donors' or 'Increased donor retention by 20% through stewardship plans').

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience with diverse communities to Reach Out and Read's mission of serving families from all backgrounds.

3

Research the Reach Out and Read model and mention specific clinic partnerships or literacy outcomes in your application to show genuine interest.

4

Prepare a brief example of a moves management plan you've executed, detailing how you cultivated, solicited, and stewarded a donor over time.

5

Since the role is remote, emphasize your ability to work independently, manage your time, and use CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) effectively.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Highlight your track record of closing five-figure gifts and managing a portfolio of 100+ donors, with specific examples.', "Demonstrate your understanding of Reach Out and Read's unique model (pediatric well-child visits) and your passion for early literacy.", 'Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and leadership to identify funding opportunities.', 'Emphasize your comfort with data-driven fundraising and your proactive, self-motivated work style in a remote setting.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Reach Out and Read's annual report and impact metrics (e.g., number of children served, clinic partnerships) to understand their scale.
  • → Read about their evidence-based model and how pediatricians integrate literacy into well-child visits.
  • → Explore their donor recognition programs and recent fundraising campaigns to understand their donor engagement strategies.
  • → Look into the 'Positively Partners' organization, as they are the hiring firm, to understand their role in the process.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you successfully upgraded a donor from a lower giving level to a major gift. What strategies did you use?
2 How would you develop a personalized engagement plan for a new donor in your portfolio? Walk us through your process.
3 How do you use data and analytics to prioritize donors and inform your moves management?
4 Give an example of how you collaborated with program staff or leadership to align donor interests with organizational needs.
5 Reach Out and Read serves diverse communities. How have you adapted your fundraising approach to engage donors from different backgrounds?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter; make sure to reference specific programs or achievements of Reach Out and Read.
  • Avoid overstating your experience; if you haven't managed a portfolio of 100+ donors, be honest and focus on transferable skills.
  • Don't neglect to mention your comfort with remote work and self-management; the role is fully remote and requires autonomy.

📅 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 Positively Partners!

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