How to apply for Development Associate

About A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy

A More Perfect Union is a nonpartisan organization mobilizing the American Jewish community to protect and strengthen democracy against authoritarianism. Rooted in the American Jewish experience and powered by evidence-based strategies, they educate, equip, and activate Jewish leaders and institutions for civic renewal. Working here means joining a mission-driven team at a critical moment for democracy, with a fiscally sponsored structure that offers stability and flexibility.

About the role

The Development Associate serves as the operational hub of the fundraising team, ensuring donor data accuracy, managing grant processing to partners, and maintaining systems for successful fundraising. You'll work closely with the VP of Development and Director of Operations to support the organization's expansion. This role is impactful because you directly enable the resources needed to counter authoritarianism and build a healthier democracy.

A typical day

A typical day might involve updating donor records in the CRM, preparing a grant agreement for a partner organization, and coordinating with the VP of Development on a fundraising report. You'll also attend virtual team meetings, troubleshoot data issues, and ensure that all development projects stay on track. Expect a mix of independent operational work and collaborative problem-solving to support the organization's growth.

Who A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy is looking for

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with experience managing donor databases (e.g., CRM systems) and ensuring data integrity.
• Able to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines, from grant processing to donor communications, while supporting a growing development team.
• Comfortable working remotely and cross-functionally, with strong written and verbal communication skills to liaise with colleagues and partners.
• Passionate about democracy protection and Jewish communal engagement, and eager to apply operational skills to a mission-driven nonprofit.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with donor CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Bloomerang, or similar) and describe how you've maintained data accuracy in past roles.
• Emphasize your ability to manage grant processes or sub-grantmaking, as this role involves processing grants to partners—be specific about any relevant experience.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the Jewish communal landscape or democracy reform space; mention any volunteer or professional work in these areas.
• Show you can work remotely and independently by giving examples of how you've successfully coordinated projects across time zones or with remote teams.
• Tailor your resume to include keywords like 'donor stewardship,' 'fundraising operations,' 'grant management,' and 'cross-functional coordination' to pass ATS and resonate with the hiring team.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your hands-on experience with donor databases and gift processing, showing you can be the operational backbone of a development team; (2) your ability to manage grant cycles and ensure compliance, especially with sub-grants to partners; (3) your passion for democracy and Jewish community engagement, connecting personal values to the mission; and (4) your track record of supporting fundraising growth in a remote, collaborative environment.

Research before applying

• Explore A More Perfect Union's website, especially their 'Strategic Advisors' and 'Our Work' sections, to understand their approach and key initiatives.
• Research Goodnation Foundation, the fiscal sponsor, to understand the organizational structure and how it might affect your role.
• Read recent news or reports about threats to democracy and the American Jewish community's response to contextualize the urgency of the mission.
• Look up the VP of Development and Director of Operations on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and potentially reference shared experiences in your application.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How do you ensure data accuracy and integrity when managing donor records? Walk us through a time you identified and fixed a data discrepancy.
• Describe your experience with grant management, particularly processing grants to partners or sub-grantees. What systems did you use?
• This role supports a growing fundraising program. How would you prioritize tasks when multiple deadlines compete, such as a grant report due the same week as a donor appeal?
• What interests you about mobilizing the American Jewish community for democracy? How does this role align with your values?
• Give an example of a time you improved a process or workflow to make fundraising operations more efficient.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention A More Perfect Union's specific mission or the Jewish community focus—they want to see genuine alignment.
• Don't neglect to quantify your experience with donor databases or grant processing; vague statements like 'familiar with CRM' without specifics will weaken your application.
• Avoid implying you prefer a structured, in-office environment; this is a remote role that requires self-direction and comfort with virtual collaboration.