Application Guide
How to Apply for Director, Foundations & Grants
at Partnership for a Healthier America
🏢 About Partnership for a Healthier America
Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is a national nonprofit founded alongside Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, uniquely positioned at the intersection of private sector, nonprofits, and government to break down systemic barriers to nutritious food. With a mission to ensure good food for all regardless of zip code, PHA has already delivered over 49 million servings of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, making a tangible impact on equitable access to healthy food.
About This Role
As the Director of Foundations & Grants, you will own and grow a multimillion-dollar institutional funding portfolio, driving one of PHA's largest revenue streams. This role is pivotal in translating PHA's programmatic impact into compelling, data-backed proposals that secure foundation and government grants, directly fueling the organization's mission to advance equitable access to nutritious food.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve researching new foundation prospects and drafting LOIs or proposals, while also managing a portfolio of active grants by coordinating with program staff to gather data for reports. You'd likely have virtual meetings with foundation program officers to cultivate relationships, and collaborate with PHA's communications team to ensure grant deliverables align with impact stories. Your day would balance strategic planning for future funding with the tactical execution of grant submissions and compliance.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Partnership for a Healthier America Is Looking For
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📝 Tips for Applying to Partnership for a Healthier America
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific foundation and government grants you've secured, including dollar amounts and the impact of those grants on the organization's mission.
Research PHA's current programs and initiatives (e.g., the 100 million servings commitment) and reference them in your application to show you understand their work and can connect your experience to their goals.
Quantify your achievements: use metrics like 'secured $2M in new foundation funding' or 'managed a portfolio of 15 grants totaling $5M' to demonstrate your impact.
Showcase your ability to work remotely and manage multiple priorities, as this role is fully remote and requires self-discipline and excellent communication.
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your alignment with PHA's mission of equitable access to nutritious food and your passion for social impact, as this is a mission-driven organization.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your experience in securing and managing foundation and government grants, with specific examples of successful proposals and stewardship.', 'Highlight your ability to translate programmatic impact into compelling, data-backed narratives that resonate with funders.', 'Demonstrate your strategic approach to building a diversified funding pipeline and your success in cultivating long-term funder relationships.', "Express genuine passion for PHA's mission and your understanding of the importance of equitable access to nutritious food in America."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review PHA's website and annual reports to understand their current programs, impact metrics, and key initiatives beyond the 100 million servings goal.
- → Look into PHA's major corporate and foundation partners to understand the types of funders they currently work with and identify potential gaps or new prospects.
- → Read recent news articles or press releases about PHA to stay updated on new campaigns, partnerships, or policy efforts that might influence grant opportunities.
- → Familiarize yourself with the broader landscape of food access and nutrition nonprofits to understand PHA's unique positioning and how to pitch their work to funders.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference PHA's specific mission or programs—this shows a lack of genuine interest.
- Focusing only on your writing skills without demonstrating your ability to manage the full grant lifecycle, including stewardship and reporting.
- Ignoring the remote nature of the role—make sure to highlight your experience working independently and communicating effectively across distributed teams.
📅 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 Partnership for a Healthier America!