Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Individual Major Gifts (California)

at RMI

🏢 About RMI

RMI is unique as a non-profit focused on practical, market-driven solutions to accelerate the clean energy transition globally by 2030, not just advocacy. Their approach combines deep technical expertise with real-world implementation, making them a leader in transforming energy systems. Someone would want to work here to directly contribute to scalable climate solutions with measurable impact.

About This Role

This role involves managing a portfolio of 100-125 high-net-worth individuals and family offices to secure principal gifts of mid-six to seven figures, aiming for at least $5M annually. It's impactful because you'll directly fund RMI's high-priority clean energy initiatives by aligning donor interests with technical programs. You'll translate complex energy transition projects into compelling narratives for major donors.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategizing cultivation moves for top-tier prospects, drafting personalized outreach, and meeting with RMI program leads to understand funding needs for clean energy projects. You could also be preparing for donor meetings by tailoring technical proposals into accessible narratives and updating the portfolio pipeline to track progress toward the $5M annual goal.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who RMI Is Looking For

  • Has 7+ years in non-profit development with a documented track record of personally securing gifts of $100K+ from individuals, not just institutional grants.
  • Possesses substantive knowledge of climate, energy, or environmental sectors, enabling meaningful conversations about RMI's technical work.
  • Demonstrates experience building and managing a full donor pipeline from identification through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of repeat gifts.
  • Has practical experience with legacy and planned giving strategies, which is strongly preferred for this senior-level role.

📝 Tips for Applying to RMI

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically for individual major gifts (e.g., 'secured $2.1M from 15 HNW individuals in 2023'), not just total dollars raised.

2

Highlight any experience with family offices or principal gift strategies in the environmental/climate space, as this is core to the portfolio.

3

Tailor your resume to show how you've partnered with program teams to develop funding proposals, mirroring RMI's collaborative approach.

4

If you have planned giving experience, explicitly mention specific tools or campaigns you've managed (e.g., charitable remainder trusts, bequest programs).

5

Reference RMI's specific initiatives or reports (like their 'Energy Transition Hub' or recent decarbonization studies) to show genuine understanding of their work.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Open with a specific example of how your background in climate/energy development aligns with RMI's mission to transform global energy systems.", 'Detail one or two concrete instances where you successfully solicited a six-figure+ gift from an individual, explaining your cultivation strategy.', "Explain how you would approach translating RMI's technical program details into donor-centric narratives for HNW individuals.", "If applicable, briefly mention experience with legacy giving and how it could expand RMI's donor pipeline."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study RMI's recent major reports and initiatives (e.g., 'The Breakthrough Effect,' their work on green hydrogen or building decarbonization) to understand their technical priorities.
  • → Review RMI's leadership team and board to identify potential connections or understand organizational structure.
  • → Explore their donor communications (annual reports, website) to gauge their current fundraising narrative and tone.
  • → Look into their presence in California, as the role focuses on that region, including any local partnerships or projects.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your process for cultivating a new high-net-worth prospect in the climate space from identification to a seven-figure ask.
2 How would you align a donor interested in renewable energy innovation with RMI's specific programs, like industrial decarbonization or equitable transition?
3 Describe a time you partnered with technical experts to create a compelling funding proposal for an individual donor.
4 How do you balance managing a large portfolio (100-125 donors) while prioritizing principal gift opportunities?
5 What strategies have you used for stewarding repeat donors and increasing their giving over time?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on institutional or corporate fundraising experience without highlighting individual major gift success.
  • Using generic climate advocacy language without demonstrating knowledge of RMI's market-based, solutions-oriented approach.
  • Failing to provide specific, quantifiable examples of soliciting and closing gifts of $100K or more from individuals.

📅 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 RMI!

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