How to apply for Senior Development Manager

About The Acceleration Project

The Acceleration Project is a nonprofit founded in 2012 that provides free consulting to under-resourced small business owners. It has served over 18,000 businesses across 48 states and reports a 10:1 social return on investment. The organization is growing its national funding portfolio and building its development function.

About the role

The Senior Development Manager will lead and grow TAP's national fundraising program, reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer. The role involves hands-on work to identify, cultivate, and secure foundation, corporate, institutional, and major donor funding. It has direct accountability for a portfolio of funders and offers a path to senior leadership as the team expands.

A typical day

A typical day might involve researching prospective funders, drafting a grant proposal, and meeting with the Chief Revenue Officer to review pipeline progress. You could also have calls with current donors or corporate partners to cultivate relationships and report on impact. Since the team is lean and remote, you would manage your own schedule and priorities.

Who The Acceleration Project is looking for

• Experienced fundraiser with a track record of securing foundation, corporate, institutional, and major donor gifts.
• Compelling writer who can craft proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Results-driven and strategic, with the ability to manage a portfolio and meet revenue targets.
• Motivated by TAP's mission to support under-resourced small business owners.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of foundation, corporate, or major donor gifts you have secured, including amounts and outcomes.
• Show your ability to write compelling proposals and reports by referencing successful grant applications or donor appeals.
• Demonstrate familiarity with TAP's model: free consulting, 10:1 social return on investment, and national reach across 48 states.
• Explain why you want to work at a lean, growing nonprofit where you will both execute and help shape fundraising strategy.
• Address your experience working remotely and managing a national portfolio.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience securing foundation, corporate, institutional, and major donor funding, with specific results.', 'Your writing ability, using examples of proposals or donor communications that led to funding.', "Your interest in TAP's mission and its 10:1 social return on investment.", 'Your fit for a hands-on role in a lean team, with the potential to grow into senior leadership.']

Research before applying

• Review TAP's website, annual reports, and any public financials to understand its funding sources and growth plans.
• Research TAP's programs and impact metrics, such as the 18,000+ businesses served and the 10:1 social return on investment.
• Look up the Chief Revenue Officer and other team members on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds.
• Identify TAP's current foundation, corporate, and institutional partners if listed publicly.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would build and manage a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and major donor funders for a national nonprofit.
• Your process for identifying, cultivating, and securing funding from new sources.
• Examples of compelling proposals or reports you have written and their outcomes.
• How you would work with the Chief Revenue Officer to shape TAP's fundraising strategy.
• How you prioritize and manage multiple funder relationships in a remote work environment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting generic cover letters that do not mention TAP's mission or the specific fundraising responsibilities.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of past fundraising results, such as amounts secured or donor types.
• Ignoring the hands-on, execution-oriented nature of the role and focusing only on strategy or leadership.