Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Manager, Development Operations & Donor Engagement
at Braver Angels
๐ข About Braver Angels
Braver Angels is a unique grassroots movement dedicated to depolarizing America by bridging political divides through workshops, community gatherings, and collaborative action. Working here means contributing to a mission that is both timely and impactful, fostering understanding and cooperation across party lines.
About This Role
As Senior Manager of Development Operations & Donor Engagement, you will be the backbone of fundraising efforts, building and refining the systems that drive donor growth and retention. This role is crucial for scaling Braver Angels' impact by ensuring efficient processes, data-driven decisions, and seamless donor experiences.
๐ก A Day in the Life
Your day might start by reviewing donor data in Salesforce to identify trends or opportunities, then collaborating with the communications team to plan an email campaign. After lunch, you could be documenting a new workflow for event follow-ups, followed by a virtual meeting to discuss fundraising strategy with the development team.
๐ Application Tools
๐ฏ Who Braver Angels Is Looking For
- You have 4-7 years of experience in fundraising operations, donor engagement, or a related field, with a proven ability to manage CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and build reporting processes.
- You are highly detail-oriented and dependable, thriving on organizing complex information and creating clear, repeatable workflows.
- You possess strong writing and communication skills, able to craft compelling donor communications and collaborate across teams.
- You are comfortable with data analysis, using metrics to guide fundraising strategies and improve donor engagement.
๐ Tips for Applying to Braver Angels
Highlight specific examples of how you've improved CRM systems or built reporting processes from scratch, especially in a nonprofit or mission-driven environment.
Demonstrate your understanding of Braver Angels' cross-partisan mission by mentioning how your work can help bridge divides and engage diverse donors.
Showcase your ability to work remotely and manage multiple projects independently, as this role is fully remote.
Quantify your impact in previous roles, such as increased donor retention rates or streamlined fundraising operations.
Tailor your cover letter to emphasize your passion for depolarization and your experience with Salesforce or similar CRMs.
โ๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your commitment to Braver Angels' mission of bridging political divides and how your skills can directly support that mission.", 'Your experience with Salesforce and building donor tracking/reporting systems, with concrete examples.', 'Your ability to create efficient workflows and standard operating procedures that enable team growth.', "Your data-driven approach to fundraising and how you've used analytics to inform decisions and improve engagement."]
Generate Cover Letter โ๐ Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- โ Read about Braver Angels' workshops and community gatherings to understand their approach to depolarization.
- โ Familiarize yourself with their current fundraising campaigns and donor engagement strategies.
- โ Review any public reports or impact metrics to understand how they measure success.
- โ Learn about the political landscape and why cross-partisan work is critical today.
๐ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on technical CRM skills without connecting them to the mission and donor engagement.
- Avoid being too genericโshow specific knowledge of Braver Angels and its unique approach.
- Don't overlook the importance of soft skills like communication and collaboration, which are key for a remote, mission-driven team.
๐ 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Braver Angels!