Application Guide
How to Apply for Director
at North Carolina Local News Lab Fund
🏢 About North Carolina Local News Lab Fund
The North Carolina Local News Lab Fund is unique as a pooled fund specifically focused on building an inclusive news ecosystem in North Carolina, moving beyond traditional journalism to support community-serving organizations and diverse storytelling. Working here offers the opportunity to directly impact how North Carolinians access and engage with civic information while collaborating with diverse partners across the state.
About This Role
This Director role involves providing strategic vision to advance the Fund's mission of building inclusive news ecosystems while leading resource development efforts to mobilize investment in civic information. The position is impactful because it directly shapes how North Carolina communities receive news and information, requiring both field-building leadership and operational excellence.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve strategic planning sessions with team members to advance the Fund's mission, meetings with current or potential funders to mobilize resources for civic information initiatives, and collaborating with community partners across North Carolina to understand local news needs. The Director would also oversee operational aspects like budget management while representing the Fund as a thought leader in discussions about inclusive news ecosystems.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who North Carolina Local News Lab Fund Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of nonprofit leadership experience with demonstrated success in budget development and financial sustainability for mission-driven organizations
- Possesses a proven track record of fundraising specifically for civic or media initiatives, with experience cultivating donors who support inclusive information ecosystems
- Demonstrates deep understanding of North Carolina's media landscape and passion for addressing information gaps in diverse communities across the state
- Has experience building and leading remote teams in the nonprofit sector while fostering trust and accountability in distributed work environments
📝 Tips for Applying to North Carolina Local News Lab Fund
Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically related to media, journalism, or civic information initiatives rather than general nonprofit fundraising
Demonstrate your understanding of North Carolina's specific news ecosystem challenges by referencing local organizations or initiatives the Fund has supported
Highlight experience with pooled funds or collaborative funding models, as this is central to the Fund's approach
Provide specific examples of how you've fostered inclusive news environments or supported diverse storytelling in previous roles
Showcase remote leadership experience with concrete examples of how you've built cohesive, engaged teams in distributed settings
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific vision for advancing the Fund's mission of building inclusive news ecosystems in North Carolina", 'Demonstrable success in fundraising for media/civic information initiatives with quantifiable results', 'Experience leading operational excellence in nonprofit settings, particularly with budget development and financial sustainability', "Approach to being a thought leader and field builder in North Carolina's specific media landscape"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the Fund's current grantees and initiatives to understand their specific focus areas and geographic reach within North Carolina
- → Study North Carolina's media landscape challenges, particularly information gaps in rural and marginalized communities
- → Research pooled funding models in journalism philanthropy and how they differ from traditional foundation approaches
- → Explore the Fund's partners and collaborators to understand their network and field-building approach
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic fundraising experience without specific examples related to media, journalism, or civic information initiatives
- Lack of understanding about North Carolina's specific communities and media landscape
- Focus on traditional journalism models rather than community-serving, inclusive approaches to news and information
📅 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 North Carolina Local News Lab Fund!