Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Institutional Giving

at 350.org

🏢 About 350.org

350.org is a unique global grassroots movement that drives climate action in over 188 countries through decentralized, people-powered campaigns. Unlike traditional NGOs, it operates as a networked organization that empowers local activists while coordinating global strategy. Working here means contributing to one of the most influential climate movements worldwide, with the opportunity to directly support frontline communities fighting fossil fuel projects.

About This Role

This Senior Manager role leads the institutional fundraising strategy to secure $8M+ annually from foundations and institutional donors, primarily in the 6-8 figure range. You'll manage the grants team while personally writing and finalizing sophisticated proposals, making this position critical for funding 350.org's global climate campaigns. The impact is direct: your work secures multi-year funding that enables grassroots climate action across continents.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning check-ins with your remote grants team across time zones, followed by reviewing draft proposals for major foundation submissions. Afternoons could include donor cultivation calls with European climate funders and strategic planning sessions to align fundraising with 350.org's campaign priorities. You'd likely spend significant time in Salesforce updating donor records and tracking progress toward the $8M+ annual goal.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who 350.org Is Looking For

  • Has led an international grants team generating $8M+ annually with proven experience engaging directly with institutional funders in the climate/environmental space
  • Possesses 7+ years writing 6-8 figure grant proposals and managing complex multi-year budgets, with expertise in both restricted and unrestricted funding
  • Deeply understands the climate movement's landscape and can articulate 350.org's unique grassroots approach to institutional donors
  • Is proficient with Salesforce for donor management and can demonstrate experience using it in a fundraising context

📝 Tips for Applying to 350.org

1

Quantify your institutional fundraising achievements specifically: 'Secured $X million from X foundations over X years' rather than 'experienced fundraiser'

2

Highlight any experience with decentralized or networked organizations, as 350.org's grassroots model differs from traditional hierarchical NGOs

3

Mention specific climate campaigns or movements you've supported, showing you understand 350.org's focus on fossil fuel divestment and frontline community support

4

Include examples of managing remote/international teams, given the EU-based remote role and global team structure

5

Demonstrate your Salesforce proficiency with specific examples of how you've used it for donor cultivation, tracking, or reporting

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience managing institutional fundraising at the $8M+ level with international scope', "How your climate movement background aligns with 350.org's grassroots, activist-driven approach", "Examples of successful 6-8 figure grant proposals you've written or overseen, particularly for environmental causes", 'Your philosophy on building long-term relationships with institutional donors in the progressive funding space']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → 350.org's current major campaigns like Fossil Free and their theory of change around grassroots mobilization
  • → The organization's recent institutional funders and partnership announcements (check their annual reports)
  • → How 350.org's decentralized 'hub' model differs from traditional environmental NGOs
  • → Key climate funding trends in Europe, particularly among progressive foundations supporting movement-building
Visit 350.org's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a fundraising strategy targeting European foundations for 350.org's global campaigns?
2 Describe your approach to managing a remote grants team across different time zones while maintaining proposal quality
3 How do you balance securing restricted project funding versus unrestricted operational support in your fundraising plan?
4 Walk us through how you would cultivate a new relationship with a major climate-focused foundation unfamiliar with 350.org's grassroots model
5 What metrics and systems would you implement in Salesforce to track the $8M+ annual revenue goal and team performance?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic environmental NGO language without demonstrating understanding of 350.org's specific activist, grassroots identity
  • Focusing only on government or corporate fundraising experience without emphasizing foundation/institutional giving
  • Presenting experience with small grants only, without clear examples of 6-8 figure proposal development and management

📅 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 350.org!

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