Application Guide

How to Apply for Associate, Strategic Services

at Aperio Philanthropy

🏢 About Aperio Philanthropy

Aperio Philanthropy is a fundraising consulting firm built by fundraisers for fundraisers, meaning every team member has hands-on experience raising money at leading nonprofits. Unlike firms that just deliver strategy decks, Aperio works alongside client teams to implement sustainable revenue growth. This is a place for someone who values practical, on-the-ground partnership over theoretical advice.

About This Role

As an Associate in Strategic Services, you'll support a portfolio of nonprofit clients while helping to build and refine Aperio's core service offerings, delivery approaches, tools, and quality standards. You'll be the connective tissue between the Strategic Services team and the Client Services team, ensuring that products and resources are seamlessly integrated into workflows. This role is ideal for someone who loves both client work and behind-the-scenes systems that make great consulting possible.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might include a morning check-in with the Strategic Services team to align on priorities, followed by updating a client's fundraising roadmap or creating a new template for donor outreach. You might join a client call to take notes and identify follow-up actions, then collaborate with a Client Services colleague to ensure a new tool is being used effectively. In between, you'll juggle internal projects like refining a training resource and responding to ad-hoc requests from multiple teams.

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🎯 Who Aperio Philanthropy Is Looking For

  • Has 2–4 years of fundraising or nonprofit development experience, ideally with direct donor-facing or campaign work.
  • Is highly organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple client projects and internal workstreams simultaneously.
  • Comfortable creating and improving tools, templates, and processes that help others deliver high-quality work.
  • Strong written and verbal communicator who can translate fundraising best practices into actionable guidance for client teams.
  • Collaborative self-starter who thrives in a remote, fast-paced consulting environment and is eager to learn from experienced fundraisers.

📝 Tips for Applying to Aperio Philanthropy

1

Highlight any direct fundraising experience—especially campaigns, donor stewardship, or annual fund work—because Aperio was founded by fundraisers and values that background.

2

Show that you understand Aperio's model: they don't just advise; they implement. Use your application to demonstrate how you've rolled up your sleeves to execute, not just plan.

3

Mention specific tools or systems you've built or improved (e.g., templates, trackers, playbooks) that helped a team work more efficiently.

4

Since the role supports both clients and internal teams, emphasize your ability to manage competing priorities and communicate clearly across teams.

5

Reference Aperio's focus on sustainable revenue growth and their roadmap approach—show you've read about their services and can connect your experience to their methodology.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your hands-on fundraising experience and how it informs your ability to support clients; (2) your knack for creating systems, tools, or processes that improve team efficiency; (3) your ability to work collaboratively in a remote, client-facing consulting environment; and (4) your specific interest in Aperio's mission and 'for fundraisers, by fundraisers' ethos.

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Aperio's website thoroughly, especially their services, roadmap, and any case studies or client testimonials to understand their methodology.
  • → Look up the backgrounds of Aperio's team members on LinkedIn—many are former fundraisers—and note common themes in their experience.
  • → Research the nonprofit clients Aperio works with (if listed) to understand the types of organizations and fundraising challenges they face.
  • → Familiarize yourself with common fundraising metrics and frameworks (e.g., donor pyramid, moves management, annual fund vs. major gifts) since the role likely involves supporting these areas.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Tell us about a time you supported multiple nonprofit clients or projects simultaneously—how did you prioritize and stay organized?
2 Describe a tool, template, or process you created that made a fundraising team more effective. What was the impact?
3 How do you approach translating a fundraising strategy into actionable steps for a client team that may be stretched thin?
4 Give an example of how you've collaborated with internal teams to ensure consistency and quality in client deliverables.
5 Why Aperio? What about our model of hands-on implementation resonates with your experience and career goals?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic language about 'passion for nonprofits' without connecting it to specific fundraising skills or experiences.
  • Don't focus only on strategy or planning—Aperio values implementation, so failing to show how you've executed is a red flag.
  • Avoid overlooking the internal-facing aspects of the role; candidates who only talk about client work may miss that this position also supports product development and team resources.

📅 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 Aperio Philanthropy!

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