Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Capital Partnerships
at Trust Neighborhoods
🏢 About Trust Neighborhoods
Trust Neighborhoods is a pioneering nonprofit that created the MINT (Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust) model, a nationally recognized solution to housing affordability that has already launched in five cities. Backed by major funders like Marguerite Casey Foundation and Draper Richards Kaplan, the organization is scaling rapidly to meet demand from dozens of communities. Working here means directly shaping a replicable model for equitable neighborhood development.
About This Role
As Director of Capital Partnerships, you will lead both local fundraising for individual MINTs in cities like Kansas City and Fresno, and national capital strategy to fund the model's expansion. Reporting to CEO Kavya Shankar, you'll work at the intersection of place-based philanthropy and systemic change, ensuring that capital is no longer the bottleneck to launching and growing MINTs. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives on building diverse funding streams and partnerships.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve a morning call with neighborhood partners in Kansas City to strategize a local fundraising pitch, followed by an afternoon meeting with a national foundation to discuss a multi-city grant. You'll also spend time researching potential funders, drafting proposals, and coordinating with the CEO on overall capital strategy. Expect regular travel to MINT sites and funder meetings, with flexibility to work remotely when not on the road.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Trust Neighborhoods Is Looking For
- Proven track record in fundraising or capital development, ideally with experience in community development finance, impact investing, or philanthropic partnerships.
- Deep understanding of housing affordability and equitable neighborhood development, with familiarity with models like community land trusts or mixed-income housing.
- Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with neighborhood partners, funders, and internal teams across multiple cities.
- Strategic thinker who can balance local fundraising efforts with national capital strategy, and who is comfortable working remotely and traveling to MINT sites.
📝 Tips for Applying to Trust Neighborhoods
Highlight any experience you have with place-based fundraising or community development finance, specifically mentioning cities where Trust Neighborhoods is active (e.g., Kansas City, Fresno, Denver).
Demonstrate familiarity with the MINT model by referencing it in your cover letter and explaining why you believe it's a scalable solution to housing affordability.
Quantify your fundraising successes (e.g., amounts raised, number of funders engaged) to show your ability to meet the role's dual local and national responsibilities.
Emphasize your ability to work remotely and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, as the role involves coordinating with neighborhood partners across multiple time zones.
Mention any experience with public, private, and philanthropic funding sources, as Trust Neighborhoods' funding comes from a mix of these sectors.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience in raising capital for community development or housing initiatives, with concrete examples of successful campaigns.', "Your understanding of the MINT model and why you are excited to scale it nationally, showing alignment with Trust Neighborhoods' mission.", 'Your ability to manage both local and national fundraising strategies simultaneously, and how you prioritize and execute in a remote work environment.', 'Your collaborative approach to working with neighborhood partners and funders, emphasizing relationship-building and long-term partnership development.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Visit the Trust Neighborhoods website and read their latest reports or blog posts to understand the MINT model's impact and current fundraising needs.
- → Research the cities where MINTs are active or launching (e.g., Kansas City, Fresno, Denver) to understand local housing contexts and potential funders.
- → Look into the backgrounds of current funders like Marguerite Casey Foundation and Melville Charitable Trust to understand their philanthropic priorities.
- → Familiarize yourself with the CEO Kavya Shankar's public statements or interviews to align your approach with her vision for scaling MINTs.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your fundraising experience—this role requires specific, quantifiable achievements in capital development.
- Ignoring the dual local/national aspect of the role; candidates who focus only on one area may seem unprepared for the role's complexity.
- Failing to demonstrate a commitment to equitable neighborhood development; Trust Neighborhoods values community partnership, so a top-down approach could be a red flag.
📅 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 Trust Neighborhoods!