Top 10 Interview Questions for Your Next Director of Development Search: Part 1

Hiring a senior fundraiser is a big job. When done well, it could mean millions more raised for your organization! Here are some sample interview questions to spark lively discussions and go beyond canned responses. Most fundraisers are excellent communicators, so you will need to go beyond the expected donor stories to find out their authentic skills.

1.      Tell me about a gift or a project you are most proud of…

In this question, you are giving the candidate an opportunity to shine. It is important to follow up with a question about why they chose this donor story. Pay special attention whether they are trying to impress you with large gifts or well-known donors or whether they focus on an unlikely donor.

2.      What aspect of the philanthropy cycle excites you the most?

To get the most out of this question you will need to know a bit more about the state of the fundraising portfolio the successful candidate will oversee. If they like to meet with a lot of new people and establish long-term relationships, they may not be the best fit for a mature portfolio with ambitious short-term fundraising goals. It also shows a level of maturity and forces them to identify the type of work they naturally gravitate towards. Beware: Few people are excited about cold calls…

3.      How do you go about establishing relationships with internal staff?

Successful Directors of Development know how to work well with internal stakeholders as well as donors. Ideal candidates will understand the importance of having good relationship with program and support staff.

4.      Tell me about a donor you have seen through from identification to solicitation…

This question is important, particularly for applicants who may have had short tenures at previous positions. Pay special attention to the length of time it took them to develop the relationship.

5.      What kind of work environment/culture set you up for success?

Many well performing fundraisers tend to be “lone-wolves” or “road-warriors”, so if you are a tight-knit team and you are looking for someone to fit it- ask this question.

Check back for Part-2 of this post next week with another set of interview questions.

Join us for a free webinar on Thursday October 8th at 2pm on The Art and Science of Hiring Development Staff during a Pandemic