Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Development Manager

at The Acceleration Project

🏢 About The Acceleration Project

The Acceleration Project (TAP) is a nonprofit that empowers under-resourced small business owners with free, high-impact consulting, having served 12,000+ businesses across 48 states. With a validated 10:1 social return on investment and a lean, high-performing team, TAP offers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to economic equity and see tangible results from your work.

About This Role

As Senior Development Manager, you will own and drive TAP's national fundraising program, managing a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and major donor relationships. This hands-on role is central to TAP's growth, with direct accountability for securing funding and shaping strategy, and a clear path to senior leadership as the team scales.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve drafting a grant proposal for a corporate foundation in the morning, then hopping on a call with a potential major donor to discuss TAP's impact. You'd spend time researching new funding opportunities, updating your pipeline in the CRM, and collaborating with the CRO on strategy – all from your home office, with the flexibility to manage your schedule.

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🎯 Who The Acceleration Project Is Looking For

  • Proven fundraiser with 5+ years of experience in nonprofit development, specifically in securing six-figure gifts from foundations and corporations.
  • Exceptional writer who can craft compelling grant proposals, reports, and donor communications that resonate with mission-driven funders.
  • Strategic thinker who can identify and cultivate new funding opportunities while managing a pipeline and meeting ambitious revenue goals.
  • Mission-driven and self-motivated, comfortable in a lean, fast-paced environment where you can take ownership and grow with the organization.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Acceleration Project

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable fundraising results (e.g., dollars raised, number of grants secured) and experience with foundation/corporate giving, not just general nonprofit work.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention TAP's 10:1 SROI and 12,000+ businesses served to show you've done your homework and align with their impact metrics.

3

Showcase your writing skills by including a brief, compelling example of a successful grant proposal or fundraising communication in your application materials.

4

Emphasize your ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities, as the role is remote and requires self-direction.

5

If you have experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or fundraising databases, mention it – it's a plus for managing donor portfolios.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for empowering small business owners and TAP's specific mission of providing free consulting to under-resourced entrepreneurs.", 'Highlight your track record of building and managing relationships with foundations and corporate donors, leading to increased funding.', 'Demonstrate strategic thinking by suggesting a potential funding angle or partnership idea for TAP (e.g., targeting community development financial institutions or small business advocacy groups).', 'Convey your readiness to grow with the organization and take on more responsibility as the development team expands.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review TAP's website and annual reports to understand their programmatic impact, funding sources, and key partners.
  • → Look up recent news or press releases about TAP to see their latest initiatives and any new funding announcements.
  • → Research the small business landscape and challenges faced by under-resourced owners to speak knowledgeably about TAP's work.
  • → Check the LinkedIn profiles of TAP's leadership team (e.g., Chief Revenue Officer) to understand their background and priorities.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building a fundraising strategy for a growing nonprofit with a lean team?
2 Describe a time you successfully cultivated a major donor or secured a large grant. What steps did you take?
3 How do you balance multiple deadlines and competing priorities, especially when working remotely?
4 What experience do you have with grant reporting and ensuring compliance with funder requirements?
5 How would you leverage TAP's 10:1 SROI metric to make a compelling case to potential funders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter – it must be personalized to TAP's mission and this specific role.
  • Avoid focusing only on your fundraising experience without tying it to TAP's impact or the nonprofit sector.
  • Don't overlook the importance of writing skills – this role is writing-heavy, so any typos or weak writing in your application is a red flag.
  • Don't underestimate the remote aspect – make sure you emphasize your ability to work independently and communicate effectively across teams.

📅 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 The Acceleration Project!

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