Application Guide

How to Apply for Coalition & Partnerships Coordinator

at REBUILD LOCAL NEWS

🏢 About REBUILD LOCAL NEWS

Rebuild Local News is a unique nonprofit focused on passing public policies to strengthen local journalism, a critical democratic function. Unlike typical advocacy groups, it bridges newsrooms, labor unions, and civic organizations, offering a chance to work at the intersection of media, policy, and community organizing. If you care about saving local news and building coalitions, this is a mission-driven home.

About This Role

As Coalition & Partnerships Coordinator, you'll be the backbone of a growing national coalition, managing membership, planning monthly meetings, and mobilizing advocates. Your work directly amplifies the voices of local news supporters in state and federal policy debates, making you a key driver of tangible legislative wins.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might include reviewing CRM reports to identify lapsed members, drafting a policy update email for the coalition, and meeting with a partner organization to plan a joint advocacy action. You'd also prep for the upcoming monthly meeting by finalizing the agenda and confirming guest speakers.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who REBUILD LOCAL NEWS Is Looking For

  • Has 4-7 years in community organizing, grassroots engagement, or advocacy, with a focus on membership coordination and stakeholder network management.
  • Proven track record of developing member-informed programming and scaling coalition growth, not just maintaining existing lists.
  • Tech-savvy with CRM tools like Salesforce, Action Network, or Airtable, using data to track engagement and recruitment.
  • Excellent writer who can distill complex policy into clear, compelling language for diverse coalition members (newsrooms, unions, civic groups).

📝 Tips for Applying to REBUILD LOCAL NEWS

1

Highlight specific examples of managing a coalition or membership network, including numbers (e.g., grew membership by X% or managed 200+ stakeholders).

2

Show your familiarity with policy advocacy for journalism or media, even if indirectly—mention any work with press freedom or public interest communications.

3

In your cover letter, name-drop the specific policy areas Rebuild Local News works on (e.g., Local Journalism Sustainability Act, state-level tax credits).

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize digital organizing and CRM proficiency; mention tools like Action Network or EveryAction by name.

5

Include a brief case study of a time you mobilized a group for a time-sensitive action (e.g., sign-on letter, call-in day).

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for local journalism and belief in policy solutions to sustain it.', 'Concrete experience growing or engaging a coalition, with metrics or outcomes.', 'Ability to balance relationship-building with operational tasks like CRM management and meeting coordination.', 'Understanding of the unique needs of diverse stakeholders (newsrooms vs. unions vs. civic groups).']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Rebuild Local News's policy platform and recent state-level legislative wins (e.g., in California, New York).
  • → Review their current coalition members list (if public) to understand the diversity of partners.
  • → Follow their recent press releases or blog posts to understand current advocacy campaigns.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Local Journalism Sustainability Act and similar federal/state proposals.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach recruiting new coalition members from underrepresented regions or newsrooms?
2 Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities from different coalition stakeholders.
3 How do you use CRM data to drive member engagement and retention? Walk me through your process.
4 What policy issues affecting local news are you most passionate about and why?
5 How would you plan a monthly coalition meeting that keeps members engaged and informed?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus only on event planning; this role is about coalition growth and advocacy, not just logistics.
  • Avoid vague language about 'passion for journalism'; be specific about policy and organizing experience.
  • Don't neglect CRM skills; even if you're strong in other areas, highlight your data management ability.

📅 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 REBUILD LOCAL NEWS!

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