Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Philanthropy Director, Remote from Seattle Metro, Washington 

at Sustainable Northwest

🏢 About Sustainable Northwest

Sustainable Northwest is a mission-driven nonprofit that uniquely bridges rural communities, Tribal Nations, and environmental stewardship. Working here means contributing to tangible solutions for water, clean energy, and forest health while fostering economic vitality in the Pacific Northwest.

About This Role

As Senior Philanthropy Director, you’ll lead the charge in building a sustainable philanthropic engine for the organization, focusing on major gifts from individuals and corporations in Washington state. This role is pivotal in scaling unrestricted revenue to support long-term conservation and rural community partnerships.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your morning might include a virtual meeting with the Development Manager to review donor pipeline progress, followed by a phone call with a Seattle-based corporate partner about a sponsorship opportunity. Afternoon could involve drafting a major gift proposal for a family foundation, then preparing talking points for a board member’s donor cultivation dinner.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Sustainable Northwest Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 8+ years in nonprofit development, including at least 3 years in a leadership role directing strategy and managing a team.
  • Proven track record of personally securing five- and six-figure unrestricted gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations, specifically within Washington state.
  • Strategic thinker capable of designing and executing multi-year development plans that balance individual, corporate, and foundation revenue streams.
  • Exceptional relationship builder who thrives on connecting with donors and partners in rural communities, Tribal Nations, and the business sector.

📝 Tips for Applying to Sustainable Northwest

1

Tailor your resume to highlight unrestricted gift closures of $10k+ in Washington state, including specific dollar amounts and donor types.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to rural and Tribal community partnerships, not just urban fundraising.

3

Mention any familiarity with Sustainable Northwest’s program areas (water, clean energy, forests, farms/ranches) to show alignment.

4

Prepare a one-page strategic plan outline for growing unrestricted revenue in Washington, including corporate giving ideas.

5

Emphasize leadership experience in managing and developing staff, as you’ll oversee the Development Manager.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to the intersection of conservation, community, and local economies – the core of Sustainable Northwest’s mission.', 'Specific examples of securing major gifts from Washington-based donors, including unrestricted funds.', 'Your vision for expanding corporate giving in the region, with an understanding of the local business landscape.', 'Your experience working in or with rural communities and Tribal Nations, demonstrating cultural competence.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Sustainable Northwest’s latest annual report and strategic plan to understand their current funding sources and priorities.
  • → Explore their blog and news section for recent projects, especially those involving rural communities and Tribal Nations.
  • → Review their donor list or partner page to identify potential corporate and foundation connections.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Washington state’s philanthropic landscape, including key foundations like the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust or the Russell Family Foundation.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you would approach building a corporate giving program from scratch in Washington state.
2 Your experience with unrestricted fundraising and strategies to grow it despite donor fatigue.
3 A time you managed a development team or board relationship to achieve a fundraising goal.
4 How you would balance soliciting major gifts while overseeing day-to-day development operations.
5 Your understanding of Sustainable Northwest’s work and how you’d articulate its impact to donors.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t submit a generic cover letter; failing to mention Washington-specific experience or the company’s mission is a missed opportunity.
  • Avoid focusing solely on major gifts without addressing corporate giving or unrestricted revenue strategy.
  • Don’t neglect to show leadership experience – the role requires managing a staff member and collaborating with the Board.

📅 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 Sustainable Northwest!

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