CANDIDATE FUNDRAISING PROGRAM APPLICATION

Position: Deputy Finance Director
Location: Various throughout Texas

Compensation: $5,000/month
Healthcare: Stipend to be determined
Contract Term: 4/1/2026 - 12/31/2026

ABOUT US

Agave Fund recruits, trains, and supports the next generation of Democratic campaign professionals, with a focus on building durable campaign capacity in Texas. Our work centers on placing skilled staff in targeted downballot and state house races and investing early in the people who make campaigns work.

Fundraising is critical to any successful campaign. Through this program, Agave will hire, train, and place staff on priority Texas races in 2026, ensuring campaigns have the fundraising capacity they need to compete and win.

This in-person program is designed both to meet the immediate needs of 2026 campaigns and to build a longer-term pipeline of skilled fundraising professionals in Texas politics.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Individuals accepted into the Agave Fundraising Program will receive:

Intensive two-day bootcamp to learn the fundamentals of campaign fundraising, focused on call time management, donor research, fundraising systems, events, and best practices
Placement on a 2026 downballot and state house Texas campaign as a Deputy Finance Director
Required virtual continuing education sessions and regular check-ins with program managers throughout the course of the program .
Ongoing mentorship and support throughout the cycle from experienced campaign professionals
Professional development and career support designed to prepare participants for future finance, campaign management, or senior staff roles

Position to be based in the district of an assigned campaign. The location of your campaign will be based on Agave’s priorities. Agave is unable to guarantee specific locations, but applicants are encouraged to let us know if they have prior experience in a particular city or region across Texas.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

We are looking for a highly selective group of motivated, organized individuals who are interested in building a career in Democratic campaigns and political fundraising.

Prior campaign experience is not required. Applicants who have completed at least one cycle of volunteering, organizing, or campaign-adjacent work are strongly encouraged to apply.

You may be a great fit if you:

Are interested in political fundraising and campaign operations
Are organized, persistent, and comfortable talking to people on the phone
Can manage details while keeping an eye on larger goals
Want mentorship, training, and a clear pathway into campaign work
Are passionate about electing Democrats

If you’re not sure whether you’re “ready,” apply anyway. This program is designed to train you.

POSITION SUMMARY

Deputy Finance Directors are responsible for helping candidates maximize fundraising by managing daily call time operations, tracking progress, and ensuring candidates stay focused, prepared, and motivated. This role is foundational to campaign success and provides a strong entry point into long-term campaign careers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Participants in the program will:

Complete Agave’s intensive two-day fundraising training in Austin on March 21, 2026-March 22, 2026.
Serve as a Deputy Finance Director on a 2026 Texas downballot campaign, with responsibilities including:
- Manage daily call time operations and weekly scheduling
- Prepare call sheets, donor research, and follow-up materials
- Track fundraising progress and maintain call time data
- Help maintain donor and prospect relationships
- Plan and execute campaign fundraising events
- Adapt to the needs of fast-paced campaigns and take on additional responsibilities as needed
Participate in monthly 1.5-2 hour continuing education virtual training.
Submit weekly reports to Agave summarizing the campaign’s fundraising progress.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant must demonstrate:

A strong interest in Democratic politics and campaign work
Willingness to commit to the program and placement for the duration of the 2026 cycle
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Comfort communicating with a wide range of people
Ability to take feedback and learn quickly
Cultural competence and the ability to work respectfully across communities

Note: Participants must have access to reliable transportation and a valid drivers license.

THE MOST COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS MAY ALSO HAVE:

Prior fundraising, call time, or donor research experience
Experience working directly with candidates or principals
Comfort using databases, spreadsheets, or tracking systems
Experience in organizing, field, or volunteer management
Interest in pursuing future roles in finance, campaign management, or senior campaign leadership

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and application HERE. Applications must be submitted through the link.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 5:00pm CT.

For questions only, please email trainings@agavefund.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Agave Fund is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable team. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strongly encourage individuals from historically underrepresented communities in political campaigns—including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and first-time campaign professionals—to apply. We value lived experience, different perspectives, and nontraditional paths into this work.

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or selection process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to all qualified applicants.