Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Director of Development & Strategy

at IGNITE National

🏢 About IGNITE National

IGNITE National is a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women and gender-expansive youth to become political leaders. Their mission-driven work, focus on underrepresented communities, and national impact make it a compelling place for those passionate about equity and civic engagement.

About This Role

As Senior Director of Development & Strategy, you'll architect and execute a $2M+ fundraising strategy, personally manage a major donor portfolio, and lead a small team. Your work directly fuels IGNITE's programs that train the next generation of diverse political leaders.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor pipeline reports and coaching your development team on outreach priorities. You could then have a virtual coffee meeting with a major donor to discuss their interests, followed by strategizing with the communications team on an upcoming digital campaign. Afternoon might involve drafting a solicitation proposal and ending with a check-in with the CEO on revenue progress.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who IGNITE National Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 7+ years of experience, including a proven track record of closing $25K+ major gifts and managing a portfolio of 100-150 donors.
  • A strategic leader who has designed and implemented pipeline-based fundraising strategies and can coach a team of 2 to achieve ambitious revenue goals.
  • Someone deeply aligned with IGNITE's mission of uplifting young women and gender-expansive youth in politics, with strong relationship-building skills.
  • Proficient in CRM systems (HubSpot preferred) and comfortable overseeing digital fundraising, events, and alumni engagement to diversify revenue streams.

📝 Tips for Applying to IGNITE National

1

Highlight specific major gifts you've closed at the $25K+ level, including the donor's background and how you cultivated the relationship.

2

Demonstrate your experience building a fundraising pipeline from scratch or scaling an existing one—use metrics and timelines.

3

Show your leadership style by describing how you've managed or mentored development staff, including examples of coaching and accountability.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize digital fundraising and event management experience, as the role oversees community and digital campaigns.

5

Research IGNITE's current programs and recent campaigns (e.g., their Young Women's Political Leadership Program) and reference them in your cover letter.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your personal connection to IGNITE's mission of advancing young women and gender-expansive youth in politics.", 'Concrete examples of major gift solicitations at the $25K+ level, including cultivation strategies and outcomes.', 'Your experience leading fundraising strategy and managing a team, with emphasis on collaboration and accountability.', "Your familiarity with pipeline development and how you've used data to drive donor engagement and increase revenue."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review IGNITE's annual reports and recent news to understand their funding sources, program impact, and strategic priorities.
  • → Study their website and social media to see how they engage young women and gender-expansive youth, and identify potential donor segments.
  • → Look up their current board members and major partners to understand the existing donor network.
  • → Research the political landscape for young women and gender-expansive individuals to speak knowledgeably about the need for IGNITE's work.
Visit IGNITE National's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would design a pipeline-based fundraising strategy for a $2M goal at IGNITE.
2 Describe a time you managed a difficult major donor relationship and how you turned it around.
3 How would you approach coaching and developing a small development team to meet ambitious targets?
4 What digital fundraising tactics have you used to grow a donor pipeline, and how do you measure success?
5 How do you ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated into your fundraising practices?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid being too generic about your fundraising experience—failing to mention specific gift amounts and cultivation strategies.
  • Don't overlook the team management aspect; the role requires leading 2 staff, so not addressing your leadership approach is a miss.
  • Neglecting to show alignment with IGNITE's mission and values, especially around gender equity and youth empowerment, can hurt your candidacy.

📅 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 IGNITE National!

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