Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships

at Jobs to Move America

🏢 About Jobs to Move America

Jobs to Move America (JMA) is a national strategic policy center that transforms public spending and corporate behavior in manufacturing, grounded in racial and economic justice. They partner with workers and communities to advance a fair economy with good jobs and healthier communities. If you're passionate about using public dollars to create equitable manufacturing jobs, JMA offers a unique opportunity to drive systemic change.

About This Role

As Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, you will lead JMA's fundraising strategy, build authentic relationships with institutional funders, and manage a team of 5 development staff. This role is critical to scaling JMA's impact by securing resources for campaigns that shift corporate and government practices toward justice.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team check-in to review progress on grant deadlines, followed by a virtual meeting with a foundation program officer to discuss a potential partnership. You might then dive into Salesforce to update donor records and analyze revenue trends, before preparing a briefing for the executive team on upcoming fundraising opportunities.

🎯 Who Jobs to Move America Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 8+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, specifically designing and executing multi-year strategies for social justice or policy organizations.
  • A people-centered leader with at least 2 years of team management experience, skilled in fostering an equity-centered, collaborative culture.
  • A relationship builder who can authentically engage diverse stakeholders—from grassroots partners to major foundations—and communicate JMA's mission compellingly.
  • A systems-thinker with hands-on experience using CRM (Salesforce) for revenue tracking, budgeting, and operations.

📝 Tips for Applying to Jobs to Move America

1

Highlight your experience with values-aligned fundraising: emphasize how you've built relationships with funders who share JMA's commitment to racial and economic justice.

2

Showcase your team leadership in a remote or distributed setting, as JMA is fully remote and values equity-centered management.

3

Provide specific examples of how you've used Salesforce or similar CRMs to streamline fundraising operations and track revenue.

4

Tailor your cover letter to JMA's focus on manufacturing and public spending—mention any familiarity with policy advocacy or labor rights.

5

Demonstrate your ability to think strategically by outlining a brief vision for how you'd expand JMA's institutional donor base.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your alignment with JMA's mission of racial and economic justice in manufacturing and public spending.", 'Your track record of leading successful fundraising campaigns and growing revenue from institutional partners.', 'Your experience managing a team with empathy, accountability, and a commitment to equity.', 'Your proficiency in fundraising operations, including CRM management and budget oversight.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read JMA's recent reports on public spending in manufacturing (e.g., 'The Roadmap for Good Jobs in the Electric Vehicle Industry').
  • Review their current funders and partnership list to understand their donor base and alignment.
  • Familiarize yourself with their campaigns, such as the 'Clean Bus' campaign and their work with the BlueGreen Alliance.
  • Look into their organizational values and equity statement to understand their culture and expectations.
Visit Jobs to Move America's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a multi-year fundraising plan that balances foundation grants, major donors, and grassroots fundraising?
2 Describe a time you built a relationship with a funder who was initially skeptical of your organization's approach.
3 How do you foster an equity-centered team culture, especially in a remote environment?
4 Walk us through your experience with Salesforce: how have you used it to improve donor tracking and reporting?
5 JMA works at the intersection of policy and organizing—how would you communicate this unique value to potential funders?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on dollar amounts raised without connecting to mission impact—JMA values values-aligned fundraising.
  • Avoid generic leadership examples; instead, emphasize how you've managed teams with empathy and accountability.
  • Don't overlook the remote work aspect—ensure you address how you build culture and collaboration in a distributed team.

📅 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 Jobs to Move America!