Application Guide

How to Apply for Vice President for Development

at JustLeadershipUSA

🏢 About JustLeadershipUSA

JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) is a uniquely impactful organization dedicated to reducing incarceration and empowering people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that values lived experience, advocacy, and systemic change, all while operating as a fully remote, national organization.

About This Role

As Vice President for Development, you will lead JLUSA's fundraising strategy to meet and exceed annual revenue goals, diversify funding streams, and build major gifts and individual giving programs. This role is critical to the organization's growth and sustainability, offering the chance to shape development efforts from the ground up and serve on the Executive Leadership Team.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the Development Coordinator to review donor pipeline and upcoming deadlines, followed by a donor cultivation call or virtual meeting. You might spend the afternoon analyzing Salesforce reports to identify new major gift prospects, then prepare a board fundraising training deck for an upcoming meeting.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who JustLeadershipUSA Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 7+ years of experience managing diverse nonprofit funding streams, including major gifts, individual giving, institutional/corporate funding, and large-scale events.
  • A proven revenue diversifier who has successfully built major gifts and individual giving programs from scratch or scaled them significantly.
  • A systems-minded leader with hands-on CRM experience, especially Salesforce, and a track record of coaching boards and managing remote teams.
  • A passionate advocate for criminal justice reform who understands JLUSA's mission and can authentically connect with donors and stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to JustLeadershipUSA

1

Highlight specific examples of how you've diversified revenue streams, especially building major gifts or individual giving programs, with dollar amounts and percentage growth.

2

Showcase your experience with Salesforce or similar CRMs by describing how you've used data to drive fundraising decisions and improve donor tracking.

3

Mention any experience coaching boards on fundraising, including how you've increased board engagement and giving.

4

Tailor your cover letter to reflect your understanding of JLUSA's mission and the criminal justice reform landscape, citing specific JLUSA programs or campaigns.

5

In your resume, use action verbs and quantify achievements (e.g., 'Raised $X million annually, grew individual giving by Y%') to stand out.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your personal connection to JLUSA's mission of reducing incarceration and amplifying the voices of those impacted by the system.", "Concrete examples of how you've built and diversified fundraising programs in past roles, especially major gifts and individual giving.", 'Your experience managing remote teams and using systems like Salesforce to streamline fundraising operations.', "Your vision for how you would grow JLUSA's development program, including specific strategies for donor cultivation and stewardship."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review JLUSA's website, especially their 'Our Impact' page and annual reports, to understand their key programs and recent funding needs.
  • → Read JLUSA's policy positions and advocacy campaigns to align your fundraising narrative with their mission.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their current donor base and funding sources by looking at publicly available 990s if possible.
  • → Follow JLUSA on social media and sign up for their newsletter to get a sense of their communication style and recent announcements.
Visit JustLeadershipUSA's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building a major gifts program from scratch at a nonprofit with a small donor base?
2 Describe a time you successfully diversified revenue streams. What strategies did you use and what were the results?
3 How do you coach board members who are hesitant to fundraise? Share a specific example.
4 Tell us about your experience with Salesforce. How have you used it to improve donor tracking or reporting?
5 How do you stay motivated and productive in a fully remote environment while managing a team?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that could apply to any VP of Development role; JLUSA values mission alignment and authenticity.
  • Avoid overemphasizing corporate or government funding if you lack experience in individual giving or major gifts, as this role prioritizes diversification.
  • Don't neglect to mention your remote work experience or systems management skills, as these are critical for the role.

📅 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 JustLeadershipUSA!

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