Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Development and Communications Manager
at Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
🏢 About Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) is a unique nonprofit that operates at the intersection of policy advocacy and practical solutions for fair food systems. Unlike many think tanks, IATP works both locally in Minnesota and globally, focusing on the real-world impact of trade, farm, and food policies. Someone might want to work here to contribute to meaningful systemic change in sustainable agriculture and trade justice.
About This Role
This Senior Development and Communications Manager role is pivotal for translating IATP's complex policy work into compelling donor narratives and fundraising strategies. You'll be the bridge between program teams and individual donors, managing the donor database (Bloomerang) while crafting communications that sustain long-term relationships. Your work directly fuels IATP's ability to advocate for fair food systems by securing essential funding.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by reviewing Bloomerang reports to analyze donor trends, then collaborating with the program communications team to draft a donor appeal about IATP's latest trade policy research. In the afternoon, you could meet with the Associate Director of Development to strategize on upcoming campaigns, followed by updating donor records and preparing dashboards for a fundraising review.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years in nonprofit development/communications with proven experience creating donor-specific materials (appeals, newsletters, reports) that drive engagement.
- Is a strategic storyteller who can distill IATP's policy work on trade or sustainable agriculture into clear, mission-driven narratives for individual donors.
- Possesses strong technical skills with Bloomerang (or similar CRM) for database management, reporting, and generating donor insights to guide strategy.
- Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building skills, with experience cultivating diverse stakeholders and collaborating across teams like program communications.
📝 Tips for Applying to Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with donor communications in the nonprofit sector, quantifying results like donor retention or appeal success rates.
Mention any familiarity with Bloomerang or similar donor databases (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge), as this is a core responsibility in the job description.
Research IATP's recent campaigns or reports (e.g., on trade policy, climate-resilient farming) and reference one in your application to show genuine interest.
Emphasize your ability to collaborate with program teams, as the role requires close work with communications staff and the Associate Director of Development.
Avoid generic nonprofit language; instead, use terms from IATP's mission like 'fair trade systems' or 'sustainable agriculture' to align with their advocacy focus.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain how your experience in nonprofit development/communications aligns with IATP's mission, citing a specific project where you crafted donor narratives for policy-focused work.", "Highlight your proficiency with donor databases like Bloomerang and how you've used them to generate reports or dashboards for fundraising strategy.", 'Describe your approach to building long-term donor relationships, giving an example of how you sustained engagement through tailored communications.', "Mention your collaborative skills, noting how you've worked with program teams to translate complex topics into accessible donor materials."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore IATP's recent publications or campaigns (e.g., on food sovereignty, climate change, or trade agreements) to understand their current priorities and policy stance.
- → Review IATP's donor-facing materials (e.g., annual reports, newsletters on their website) to gauge their communication style and identify potential gaps or opportunities.
- → Learn about the nonprofit's history and global-local approach, noting how they connect Minnesota-based work to international trade issues.
- → Look into key staff like the Executive Director or Associate Director of Development (if mentioned publicly) to understand leadership and team dynamics.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning IATP's specific focus on agriculture, trade, or food systems—this shows lack of research.
- Overemphasizing corporate marketing experience without tying it to nonprofit donor relations or mission-driven storytelling.
- Failing to address the technical aspect of donor database management (Bloomerang), as it's a core responsibility listed in the job description.
📅 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 Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy!