Application Guide
How to Apply for Associate, Portfolio (Investment Selection & General Portfolio Support)
at New Profit
🏢 About New Profit
New Profit is a unique venture philanthropy organization that combines the rigor of venture capital with a deep commitment to social impact, investing in high-potential social entrepreneurs who are expanding access and opportunity in America. Unlike traditional grantmakers, New Profit provides not only capital but also strategic capacity-building support and a powerful community of peers, making it an exciting place for those who want to drive systemic change.
About This Role
As an Associate on the Portfolio team, you will be the operational backbone of the investment selection process and general portfolio support, working directly with managers to streamline grant-making cycles and cross-functional processes. This role is impactful because you'll help ensure that resources flow efficiently to the most promising social entrepreneurs, while also contributing to the team's overall effectiveness through budgeting, planning, and day-to-day operations.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing emails and updating project plans for ongoing grant cycles, followed by a virtual meeting with the Portfolio team to align on priorities. You might spend the afternoon analyzing applicant data in Excel to categorize submissions, then draft meeting notes or a report for the Partner, Strategy & Operations. The day could end with a check-in with an Investment Selection Manager to ensure the next milestone is on track.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who New Profit Is Looking For
- A detail-oriented project manager who can juggle multiple work streams, from creating project plans for grant cycles to managing applicant data and onboarding new grantees.
- An analytical thinker comfortable with data analysis and categorization, able to derive insights from application data and support resource allocation decisions.
- A proactive communicator with excellent writing and editing skills, capable of producing clear meeting notes, content, and reports for a high-performing team.
- Someone with 1-2 years of experience in a structured environment like nonprofits, philanthropy, management consulting, or venture capital, and a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
📝 Tips for Applying to New Profit
In your resume, highlight specific examples of project management and data analysis, such as managing a grant cycle timeline or analyzing applicant data to inform decisions.
Tailor your cover letter to show your understanding of venture philanthropy and New Profit's focus on catalyzing social impact, not just general nonprofit experience.
Quantify your achievements where possible, e.g., 'Managed a portfolio of 20+ grantees' or 'Streamlined a process that reduced onboarding time by 30%.'
Demonstrate your proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google products by mentioning specific tools (e.g., advanced Excel, Google Sheets, or presentation design).
Show that you are comfortable working remotely and can stay organized without direct supervision, as this role is fully remote.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for social impact and alignment with New Profit's mission of expanding access and opportunity in America.", 'Your ability to manage complex, cross-functional processes and support multiple stakeholders simultaneously.', 'Specific examples of how your analytical skills and attention to detail have improved operational efficiency in past roles.', 'Your interest in venture philanthropy and how your background prepares you to support investment selection and portfolio operations.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore New Profit's portfolio of social entrepreneurs and their focus areas (e.g., education, economic mobility, health) to understand the types of organizations you'd support.
- → Read about New Profit's 'Build' and 'Catalyze' investment strategies to grasp how they differ and what operational support each requires.
- → Review recent news or reports from New Profit, such as their annual impact report or blog posts, to understand current priorities and language used.
- → Familiarize yourself with the venture philanthropy field and key players (e.g., The Bridgespan Group, Omidyar Network) to show industry awareness.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague about your experience – provide concrete examples of project management and data analysis, not just generic responsibilities.
- Not showing genuine interest in the social impact sector or New Profit's specific mission – avoid a one-size-fits-all application.
- Overlooking the remote aspect – don't assume it's like an in-person role; emphasize your self-discipline and communication skills for remote work.
📅 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!