Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Development Director
at Vote Mama
🏢 About Vote Mama
Vote Mama is unique as the first national organization dedicated exclusively to building the political power of mothers through its three-pronged approach: research (501(c)(3)), advocacy (501(c)(4)), and direct political support (PAC). Working here means advancing gender equity by breaking structural barriers for moms in politics while operating at the intersection of political strategy and social change. The organization offers the opportunity to work with Democratic moms candidates and influence policy while building sustainable political infrastructure.
About This Role
As Senior Development Director, you'll create and execute a multi-million dollar political finance plan across all three Vote Mama entities while personally managing a major donor portfolio. This role is impactful because you'll directly fuel the organization's ability to support Democratic moms candidates, conduct groundbreaking research on mom political participation, and advocate for policy changes that remove barriers for mothers in politics. You'll lead fundraising strategy while managing two direct reports and collaborating closely with the CEO and Board.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions with the Individual Giving Director on major donor outreach, followed by afternoon calls with high-capacity donors interested in supporting Democratic moms candidates. You'd spend time analyzing fundraising data across all three entities, coordinate with the COO on institutional partnerships, and prepare briefing materials for the CEO on upcoming donor meetings. The role balances strategic planning with hands-on donor management while ensuring compliance across different fundraising regulations.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Vote Mama Is Looking For
- A seasoned political fundraiser with 5+ years experience as a finance director on federal or statewide campaigns who understands FEC compliance and political contribution limits
- Someone with specific PAC fundraising experience who can navigate the unique challenges of political fundraising across 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC entities simultaneously
- A strategic thinker who can develop multi-channel fundraising strategies targeting Democratic donors passionate about gender equity and maternal political empowerment
- A leader comfortable managing both high-net-worth individual donors and institutional funders while working in a high-visibility, mission-driven environment
📝 Tips for Applying to Vote Mama
Quantify your political fundraising achievements specifically for federal/statewide campaigns and PACs - include dollar amounts raised, donor acquisition numbers, and portfolio sizes
Demonstrate understanding of Vote Mama's three-entity structure by addressing how you'd approach fundraising differently for their 501(c)(3) research arm versus their political PAC
Highlight any experience with maternal/parent-focused political organizations or gender equity causes to show mission alignment
Show how you've diversified donor bases in past roles, particularly with strategies relevant to Democratic women donors
Include specific examples of managing development teams in political contexts, not just nonprofit settings
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience creating and executing multi-million dollar political finance plans, with concrete examples from federal/statewide campaigns or PACs', "How you've successfully managed major donor portfolios in political contexts while maintaining compliance with campaign finance regulations", "Your strategic approach to fundraising across multiple channels (major donors, institutional, digital) and how you'd apply this to Vote Mama's three entities", "Why you're personally passionate about building political power for mothers and how your background aligns with this mission"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Vote Mama's 2024 endorsements and supported candidates to understand their political priorities and geographic focus
- → Review their recent research publications from Vote Mama Foundation to understand their data-driven approach to maternal political participation
- → Analyze their public donor acknowledgments or annual reports to identify current funding sources and gaps
- → Research the specific structural barriers for moms in politics that Vote Mama Lobby advocates against (like childcare on campaign trail)
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on nonprofit fundraising experience without highlighting specific political campaign or PAC fundraising achievements
- Using generic fundraising language without demonstrating understanding of political contribution limits and FEC regulations
- Failing to address how you'd approach the unique challenge of fundraising for three different entity types with different legal constraints
📅 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!