Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Manager, Democracy

at Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies

🏢 About Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies

Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies is an impact consultancy that partners with philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities to tackle complex social challenges. They focus on designing and implementing strategies that build the infrastructure for change, making them a unique place to work for those who want to drive systemic impact. The company values collaboration, equity, and results, offering a remote-first culture with a strong sense of mission.

About This Role

As the Development Manager for the Democracy Fund, you will support the Fund Director in raising funds to protect pro-democracy civil society. This involves managing donor pipelines, writing grant proposals, and coordinating with the fiscal sponsor team. Your work will directly contribute to safeguarding democratic institutions and supporting grassroots movements.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start the day by checking email and updating the donor pipeline in Airtable. Draft a grant proposal for a foundation while coordinating with the Fund Director on strategy. After lunch, have a virtual meeting with a prospective donor to discuss the fund's impact, then spend the afternoon editing a report for a current funder and planning next week's cultivation events.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 7-9 years of experience, specifically in securing grants from foundations and cultivating individual donors for democracy or civil rights causes.
  • A project management pro who can juggle multiple deadlines, maintain a development calendar, and use CRMs like Airtable to track donor interactions and pipeline progress.
  • An exceptional writer and editor who can craft compelling grant proposals and reports that resonate with funders focused on democracy and social justice.
  • A collaborative team player who is comfortable working remotely, coordinating with a fiscal sponsor, and aligning with the Fund Director's strategic vision.

📝 Tips for Applying to Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific fundraising successes for democracy-related or civil society causes, including dollar amounts raised and donor types.

2

In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with the current threats to democracy and how your work has contributed to protecting civil society.

3

Showcase your CRM proficiency, especially Airtable, by mentioning any experience with donor databases, pipeline management, or custom reporting.

4

Demonstrate project management skills by describing a complex fundraising campaign you led, including how you managed timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables.

5

Research Third Plateau's past projects and clients (e.g., Democracy Fund, Protect Democracy) and reference them to show your understanding of their work.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your passion for democracy and civil society protection, linking it to your fundraising experience.', 'Highlight your ability to build relationships with small-to-mid-level donors and foundations, with specific examples of successful solicitations.', "Showcase your writing skills by mentioning successful grant proposals you've authored, and your ability to translate complex issues into compelling cases for support.", 'Express your comfort with remote work and collaboration, and your interest in contributing to a small, nimble team at an impact consultancy.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Third Plateau's website and blog to understand their approach to social impact and their work with democracy clients.
  • → Look into the Democracy Fund and similar organizations to understand the funding landscape for pro-democracy civil society.
  • → Read recent reports from organizations like Protect Democracy or the Brennan Center to grasp current challenges and funding priorities.
  • → Check Third Plateau's LinkedIn or news mentions to see recent projects and team members, especially the Fund Director you'd support.
Visit Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you prioritize and manage a diverse portfolio of donors and prospects?
2 Describe a time you wrote a grant proposal that was initially rejected but later funded after revisions. What did you learn?
3 How do you stay informed about current threats to democracy and civil society, and how do you use that knowledge in your fundraising?
4 What experience do you have with fiscal sponsors or intermediary funders, and how do you coordinate with them?
5 How would you approach building a donor pipeline from scratch for a new fund focused on democracy protection?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention democracy or civil society protection; this role requires a clear passion for the cause.
  • Overlooking the project management aspect; be sure to highlight your ability to manage calendars, databases, and deadlines, not just writing.
  • Failing to demonstrate remote collaboration skills; provide examples of working effectively with dispersed teams and stakeholders.

📅 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 Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies!

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