Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Direct Response Fundraising

at NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

🏢 About NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, uniquely combining advocacy, education, and support for millions affected by mental illness. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven team that directly impacts lives through public awareness and community programs. The remote-first culture offers flexibility while being part of a high-impact national movement.

About This Role

This role owns NAMI's $4-5M direct response fundraising program across multiple channels (mail, email, SMS, social, web), making it critical to sustaining the organization's financial health. You'll lead strategy, manage a consulting firm, and optimize data-driven campaigns to grow donor engagement and revenue. Your work directly funds NAMI's advocacy and support services for mental health.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start reviewing email campaign performance from the previous day, then meeting with the consulting firm to discuss upcoming mail piece creative. Afternoon could involve analyzing donor segmentation in Salesforce and drafting a social media fundraising post for an upcoming awareness day. You'd also review the budget against actuals and plan the next quarter's campaign calendar.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Is Looking For

  • 5-7 years of direct response fundraising experience, specifically across multi-channel campaigns (mail, email, social, SMS) with a track record of hitting revenue targets.
  • Proven ability to manage external agencies or consulting firms, including budget oversight, production schedules, and creative briefs.
  • Strong data skills: comfortable with Salesforce for campaign tracking and reporting, plus experience with donation platforms like GoFundMe Pro and email tools like MailChimp.
  • Excellent writing and editorial skills, with a knack for crafting compelling fundraising copy that resonates with diverse audiences and drives action.

📝 Tips for Applying to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific revenue growth metrics from direct response campaigns (e.g., 'Increased email revenue by 20% year-over-year through A/B testing').

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with Salesforce, GoFundMe Pro, and MailChimp, as these are strongly preferred tools.

3

Showcase your ability to manage a high-volume production schedule by describing a time you coordinated multiple campaigns simultaneously with tight deadlines.

4

Include examples of how you've optimized donor data for segmentation and list growth, as data-driven infrastructure is a key responsibility.

5

Research NAMI's recent fundraising campaigns (e.g., their annual 'NAMIWalks' or 'Mental Health Month') and reference how you could enhance their approach.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for mental health advocacy and alignment with NAMI's mission.", 'Specific examples of direct response fundraising success across multiple channels, including revenue numbers and growth percentages.', "Your experience with the exact tools mentioned (Salesforce, GoFundMe Pro, MailChimp) and how you've used them to drive results.", 'Your ability to lead both strategy and execution, including managing external partners and budgets.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review NAMI's current fundraising appeals on their website, email sign-up, and social media to understand their tone and donor journey.
  • → Read NAMI's latest annual report to understand their funding sources, program expenses, and key initiatives.
  • → Explore NAMI's advocacy priorities (e.g., mental health legislation) to connect fundraising to their broader impact.
  • → Look into NAMI's 'NAMIWalks' events and how they integrate fundraising with community engagement.
Visit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would plan and execute a multi-channel direct response campaign for a new donor acquisition drive.
2 Describe a time you used data to optimize a fundraising campaign. What metrics did you track and what changes did you make?
3 How do you manage relationships with external agencies or consultants to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables?
4 NAMI uses Salesforce for donor management. Can you give an example of how you've set up campaigns and reports in Salesforce?
5 How would you integrate paid social and organic social into a direct response strategy for a nonprofit like NAMI?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention mental health or NAMI's specific mission.
  • Overlooking the data and analytics aspect of the role; failing to demonstrate comfort with Salesforce and reporting.
  • Not highlighting experience with both digital and offline channels, as the role spans mail, email, social, and web.

📅 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 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)!

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