Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Institutional Giving

at Clean Air Task Force

🏢 About Clean Air Task Force

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a highly respected nonprofit focused on catalyzing the rapid global deployment of low-carbon energy and climate-protecting technologies. Unlike many environmental organizations, CATF combines deep technical expertise with pragmatic policy advocacy and private sector partnerships to drive real-world emissions reductions. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven team that values innovation, research, and tangible impact on the planet's atmosphere.

About This Role

As Senior Manager, Institutional Giving, you will manage a portfolio of funding relationships with private charitable foundations, securing critical resources to support CATF's climate technology and policy work. This role is impactful because you directly enable CATF's research, advocacy, and partnerships by cultivating and stewarding institutional donors, ensuring the organization has the financial backing to advance zero-emissions solutions globally.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing a foundation's new RFP and drafting a concept note, meeting with program staff to align on project updates for a grant report, and preparing a stewardship call with a major funder. You'll also spend time researching new foundation prospects and updating Salesforce with contact notes and deadlines.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Clean Air Task Force Is Looking For

  • Experienced in institutional fundraising with a proven track record of managing and growing a portfolio of foundation relationships, ideally in climate, energy, or environmental nonprofits.
  • Deeply knowledgeable about climate and energy issues, particularly low-carbon technologies and policy, to credibly communicate CATF's work to funders.
  • Excellent written communicator with the ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and stewardship materials tailored to foundation priorities.
  • Strategic and organized, capable of developing fundraising plans, tracking deadlines, and coordinating with program staff to align funding opportunities with organizational goals.

📝 Tips for Applying to Clean Air Task Force

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific foundation fundraising results (e.g., dollars raised, portfolio growth, successful renewals) and your experience with climate or energy topics.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your knowledge of low-carbon technologies (e.g., carbon capture, hydrogen, advanced nuclear) to CATF's mission and specific programs.

3

Research CATF's current institutional funders (listed on their website or annual report) and mention how you would build on those relationships or diversify funding.

4

Demonstrate your ability to work remotely by highlighting examples of self-directed project management and virtual collaboration with distributed teams.

5

Avoid generic language; use specific examples from your experience that align with CATF's technical and policy-focused approach.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for climate change solutions and alignment with CATF's focus on low-carbon technology deployment, not just advocacy.", 'Specific examples of how you have successfully managed institutional donor portfolios, including securing new grants and deepening existing relationships.', 'Your understanding of the philanthropic landscape for climate and energy, and how you would identify and approach new foundation prospects.', 'Your ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling funding narratives for non-specialist foundation staff.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CATF's website, especially their programs (e.g., Carbon Capture, Methane, Super Pollutants) and recent reports to understand their technical focus.
  • → Read CATF's annual report and list of foundation funders to identify potential gaps or opportunities for new institutional support.
  • → Follow CATF's blog or news section to stay current on their recent advocacy wins and technology milestones.
  • → Check if CATF has been featured in climate philanthropy news or foundation databases to understand their reputation among funders.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed a challenging foundation relationship. How did you navigate it?
2 How do you stay informed about developments in low-carbon energy technologies and policy?
3 How would you prioritize multiple foundation deadlines and competing program needs?
4 Tell us about a successful grant proposal you wrote. What made it effective?
5 How would you approach building a new relationship with a foundation that has not funded CATF before?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that does not reference CATF's specific focus on low-carbon technologies or their technical, non-partisan approach.
  • Overemphasizing general fundraising experience without demonstrating knowledge of climate/energy issues or institutional giving (vs. individual giving).
  • Failing to show remote work readiness, such as not mentioning experience with virtual tools or self-management in a distributed team.

📅 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 Clean Air Task Force!

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