Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Director of Development

at CalMatters

🏢 About CalMatters

CalMatters is an award-winning nonprofit newsroom that combines rigorous journalism with a mission to explain California policy and politics. Its 2024 merger with The Markup adds a powerful focus on technology accountability, making it a unique and impactful organization for those passionate about journalism and democracy.

About This Role

As Senior Director of Development, you will architect and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning foundations, major donors, and mid-level giving. Your leadership will directly fuel CalMatters' investigative reporting and policy coverage, ensuring the newsroom's financial sustainability and growth.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start by reviewing weekly revenue dashboards with your team, then hop on a call with a major donor in San Francisco. After lunch, you'll draft a proposal for a foundation interested in tech accountability, and later lead a strategy session on mid-level donor engagement. Your day ends with a check-in on a donor event planned for next month.

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🎯 Who CalMatters Is Looking For

  • A seasoned development leader with 5+ years at a senior management level, ideally in nonprofit media or journalism.
  • Proven track record of building and executing multi-channel fundraising strategies that hit seven-figure revenue targets.
  • Experienced in managing and mentoring a team of at least three development professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.
  • Excellent communicator who can articulate the value of nonprofit journalism to diverse donors and represent CalMatters externally.

📝 Tips for Applying to CalMatters

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable fundraising achievements, such as % growth in foundation grants or major donor portfolios.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience with journalism or technology accountability to CalMatters' mission after the Markup merger.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with California's philanthropic landscape, especially foundations that support media and public interest technology.

4

If you have experience with remote team management, highlight specific tools and practices you've used to maintain cohesion and accountability.

5

Include examples of how you've successfully stewarded major donors through events or personalized communications in a remote setting.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism and its role in democracy, specifically CalMatters' California focus.", 'Concrete examples of leading a team to exceed fundraising goals, with numbers and donor segments mentioned.', 'Your strategic approach to integrating foundation, major donor, and mid-level giving into a cohesive plan.', "Understanding of CalMatters' unique position after the Markup merger and how you would leverage that for fundraising."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read CalMatters' recent annual report and donor list to understand current funding sources and gaps.
  • → Review The Markup's investigative series on technology to grasp the merged organization's editorial focus.
  • → Study the California philanthropic landscape for journalism, including major foundations like the California Endowment or Hewlett Foundation.
  • → Look at CalMatters' executive team and board to understand leadership priorities and potential stakeholders.
Visit CalMatters's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a fundraising strategy for a merged newsroom with distinct brand identities (CalMatters and The Markup)?
2 Describe a time you turned around a struggling development team or revenue stream. What steps did you take?
3 How do you build relationships with major donors in a remote environment without in-person events?
4 What metrics do you use to track the health of a development pipeline, and how do you adjust strategy based on them?
5 How would you engage California's tech philanthropists to support journalism about technology's impact on the public good?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CalMatters' specific mission or the Markup merger.
  • Overemphasizing political fundraising experience without connecting it to nonpartisan journalism.
  • Failing to demonstrate experience with both foundation and individual giving; this role requires a multi-channel approach.

📅 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 CalMatters!

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