Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Director, Individual Giving (Major Gifts)

at Voting Rights Lab

🏢 About Voting Rights Lab

Voting Rights Lab is a dynamic nonprofit at the forefront of protecting and expanding voting access in the U.S. They combine policy advocacy, research, and on-the-ground campaigns to counter voter suppression, making a tangible impact on democracy. Working here means joining a fast-paced, mission-driven team that values innovation and collaboration.

About This Role

As Senior Director of Individual Giving, you will lead major gift fundraising to secure 5- to 7-figure gifts from high-capacity donors, directly fueling critical voting rights initiatives. This role blends strategic planning with hands-on donor engagement, requiring you to build relationships, close significant gifts, and partner with leadership to translate program needs into compelling funding opportunities.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing donor portfolios and preparing for a virtual meeting with a prospective six-figure donor, followed by a strategy session with the VP of Development to align on upcoming campaigns. You might also draft a tailored proposal for a foundation or philanthropist, analyze fundraising metrics, and connect with program staff to craft compelling impact stories for donor communications.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Voting Rights Lab Is Looking For

  • A seasoned major gifts fundraiser with 8+ years of experience, including a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individual donors.
  • An expert in building and managing a high-value portfolio, with exceptional relationship-building skills and comfort in personally leading solicitations and stewardship.
  • A strategic thinker who can design comprehensive giving strategies, analyze performance metrics, and adapt in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment.
  • Passionate about voting rights and democracy, with the ability to connect donors' philanthropic goals to the organization's mission and programmatic priorities.

📝 Tips for Applying to Voting Rights Lab

1

Highlight specific examples of six- and seven-figure gifts you've closed, including the cultivation process and donor relationship management.

2

Demonstrate your understanding of Voting Rights Lab's work by referencing recent campaigns or policy wins in your cover letter.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize major gift fundraising metrics (e.g., portfolio size, revenue targets met) and experience in advocacy or social justice.

4

Showcase your ability to partner with leadership and program staff by describing how you've translated programmatic needs into donor-facing materials.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly state your commitment to voting rights and why you're drawn to this specific organization's approach.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your track record in major gifts: Quantify your success in closing large gifts and managing a high-value portfolio.', "Your alignment with the mission: Express genuine passion for voting rights and knowledge of Voting Rights Lab's impact.", 'Your strategic approach: Describe how you design and execute cultivation strategies and use data to optimize fundraising.', 'Your collaborative style: Emphasize experience working with executive leadership and program teams to create compelling funding cases.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Voting Rights Lab's website and recent reports to understand their current campaigns, focus states, and policy priorities.
  • → Read news articles or op-eds about voting rights challenges to grasp the urgency and context of their work.
  • → Check their donor base or major gift program (if publicly available) to see if they have existing high-level supporters.
  • → Follow their social media channels to get a sense of their public messaging and recent successes.
Visit Voting Rights Lab's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your process for cultivating and soliciting a six-figure gift from a new donor.
2 How do you prioritize and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors while balancing prospecting and stewardship?
3 Describe a time you exceeded a revenue target. What strategies did you use, and what was the outcome?
4 How would you partner with our program team to translate voting rights policy goals into donor pitches?
5 What metrics do you use to evaluate the success of a major gifts program, and how do you adjust strategies based on data?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too generic: Avoid a one-size-fits-all application; explicitly connect your experience to voting rights and this role.
  • Focusing only on tactics: Don't just list fundraising activities; show strategic thinking and impact through metrics.
  • Neglecting the mission: Failing to demonstrate genuine passion for voting rights can signal misalignment with the organization's culture.

📅 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 Voting Rights Lab!

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