Application Guide
How to Apply for Annual Giving & Grants Manager
at Educated Choices Program
🏢 About Educated Choices Program
Educated Choices Program (ECP) is a food systems education nonprofit that provides free, professionally produced video and lesson plan packages to schools worldwide, reaching over 3.8 million learners in 80+ countries. It holds Candid's Platinum Transparency Seal, a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and is a Keeling Curve Prize Laureate, making it a standout in both impact and accountability. Working here means joining a lean, mission-driven team at a pivotal moment as it builds out its fundraising function.
About This Role
As the Annual Giving & Grants Manager, you will be the driving force behind ECP's individual giving and grant-seeking efforts, reporting initially to the CEO and eventually to the Director of Development. You will design and execute annual giving campaigns, manage a grants calendar, write proposals and reports, and steward donors—all while helping to build the fundraising infrastructure from the ground up. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a startup-like nonprofit environment and wants to directly fuel the expansion of free food systems education.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a quick team check-in, then shift to drafting a grant proposal for a foundation focused on climate education, followed by analyzing donor data from the latest email appeal. In the afternoon, you could be scheduling stewardship calls with major annual donors, updating the grants calendar, and collaborating with the CEO on a new corporate partnership pitch. Every day balances writing, data, and relationship-building to fuel ECP's mission.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Educated Choices Program Is Looking For
- 3–5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a proven track record in annual giving (e.g., direct mail, email appeals, giving days) and grant writing (foundation, corporate, or government grants).
- Strong writing and storytelling skills, able to translate complex food systems education into compelling donor and funder communications.
- Comfortable working independently in a fully remote setting, with excellent project management and the ability to prioritize across multiple deadlines.
- Passion for ECP's mission around healthy, sustainable food choices and familiarity with the food systems, education, or animal welfare funding landscapes.
- Experience with donor CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang, Little Green Light, or Salesforce) and grant databases (e.g., Instrumentl, Candid) is a plus.
📝 Tips for Applying to Educated Choices Program
Submit your application exclusively through the Google Form link (https://forms.gle/nU4cqA84t3KyQV988) — applications sent via email or LinkedIn will not be considered.
Aim to apply by October 25, 2026 for priority consideration, but note the position remains open until filled, so earlier is better.
In your cover letter or form responses, explicitly connect your fundraising experience to ECP's mission and its niche in food systems education.
Highlight any experience building fundraising processes or programs from scratch, as ECP is expanding its development function.
Mention specific grant wins or annual giving campaigns you've led, including dollar amounts raised and metrics (e.g., donor retention, average gift size).
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
1) Your hands-on experience with both annual giving and grants, with concrete results. 2) Why ECP's mission resonates with you personally—show you understand its free educational model and global reach. 3) Your ability to work remotely and independently while collaborating with a small team. 4) Your enthusiasm for building fundraising infrastructure and growing with the organization as it transitions to a Director of Development.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore ECP's website, especially their education packages and impact reports, to understand their programs and the 3.8 million learners reached.
- → Review ECP's Candid profile and Charity Navigator rating to see their financial health and transparency practices.
- → Research the food systems education funding landscape, including foundations that support plant-based nutrition, environmental education, and animal welfare.
- → Look up the Keeling Curve Prize and Climate Curve Prize to understand the recognition ECP has received and how it positions them with funders.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting your application through any channel other than the specified Google Form — this is an immediate disqualifier.
- Using a generic cover letter that doesn't mention ECP's mission or the food systems education niche.
- Failing to demonstrate both annual giving and grant writing experience; this role requires a blend, not just one or the other.
- Ignoring the remote nature of the role and not addressing how you stay productive and connected in a fully remote, 32-hour workweek.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Educated Choices Program!