Application Guide
How to Apply for Development Manager
at Center for Empowered Politics
🏢 About Center for Empowered Politics
The Center for Empowered Politics is unique in its focus on building movement ecosystems led by people of color, specifically working-class communities. It operates at the intersection of grassroots organizing and electoral politics, aiming to shift power dynamics through strategic partnerships and infrastructure building. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven team that values equity, community leadership, and systemic change.
About This Role
As Development Manager, you'll be the primary liaison for grantee partners, guiding them through the grant lifecycle while also managing internal grantmaking processes. This role is impactful because you'll directly support community-based electoral organizations, ensuring they have the resources and operational support to deepen participation and leadership in their communities. Your work will strengthen the movement infrastructure that amplifies voices often marginalized in traditional politics.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with checking in with grantee partners via email or video call to offer support on reporting deadlines. You'd then review new grant applications, coordinate with the finance team on payment processing, and update the donor pipeline tracker. After lunch, you might join a cross-functional meeting to align on a funding proposal timeline, followed by time dedicated to refining regranting workflows for efficiency.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Center for Empowered Politics Is Looking For
- A relationship-builder with 2+ years in development or fundraising, who thrives on supporting grassroots organizations and understands the nuances of working with people of color-led groups.
- A project management pro who can juggle multiple grant cycles, coordinate with internal teams and funders, and maintain meticulous documentation and compliance.
- A systems-thinker who can improve operational efficiencies in grantmaking and regranting, from intake to payment coordination.
- A customer-service oriented professional who can build trust with diverse stakeholders, navigate competing needs, and maintain a calm, solution-focused demeanor.
📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Empowered Politics
Highlight any experience with regranting or subgranting processes, as this role involves managing both direct grants and regranting to partner organizations.
Showcase your ability to build relationships with community-based organizations, especially those led by people of color. Mention specific examples of how you've supported grassroots groups.
Demonstrate your project management skills by detailing how you've coordinated cross-functional teams and managed complex timelines in a remote setting.
Emphasize your system and process thinking by describing how you've improved operational efficiencies in past roles, such as streamlining intake or tracking workflows.
Tailor your cover letter to reflect your passion for building movement ecosystems and electoral participation among working-class communities of color, not just general nonprofit fundraising.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your commitment to the mission of empowering people of color-led grassroots organizations and your understanding of the intersection between electoral work and community organizing.', "Specific examples of how you've managed grant lifecycles, including intake, documentation, and compliance, with attention to detail and a customer-service orientation.", 'Your ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external funders to ensure alignment and meet deadlines.', 'How your system and process thinking has led to tangible improvements in operational efficiency in previous development roles.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore the Center for Empowered Politics' website and recent reports to understand their grantees and the specific movement ecosystems they support.
- → Look into their strategic partnerships and how they collaborate with other organizations to build community power.
- → Read about their approach to regranting and how they ensure funds reach working-class communities of color effectively.
- → Follow their social media and news mentions to understand current campaigns and priorities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on traditional fundraising metrics (e.g., dollars raised) without emphasizing relationship-building and support for grantees.
- Avoid generic statements about 'passion for the mission' without connecting it to the specific work of electoral organizing and people of color leadership.
- Don't overlook the importance of process and systems—this role requires operational efficiency, so be sure to highlight relevant skills.
📅 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 Center for Empowered Politics!