Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Raising Child Care Fund

at Early Childhood Funders Collaborative

🏢 About Early Childhood Funders Collaborative

The Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC) is a unique philanthropic intermediary that brings together funders to advance equity-focused early childhood systems change. Hosted by Third Sector New England (TSNE), ECFC offers a collaborative, mission-driven environment where you can influence how philanthropic dollars are invested in grassroots power-building. Working here means joining a network that values lived experience and systemic change, not just charity.

About This Role

As Director of the Raising Child Care Fund (RCCF), you will lead a philanthropic fund that channels resources to grassroots organizations building power among families, early educators, and providers. You will be responsible for strategy, grantmaking, and donor engagement, ensuring that those closest to child care challenges lead the movement for equitable solutions. This role is impactful because it directly shifts power and resources to communities historically excluded from decision-making.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with funders to align on strategy, reviewing grant proposals with a participatory committee, and connecting with grassroots leaders to understand emerging needs. You could also be facilitating a learning session for ECFC members or working with TSNE on operational matters. The role blends strategic leadership, relationship management, and hands-on grantmaking.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Early Childhood Funders Collaborative Is Looking For

  • Demonstrated experience in philanthropic grantmaking or fundraising, with a strong understanding of participatory grantmaking and trust-based philanthropy.
  • Deep commitment to racial equity and social justice, with experience working alongside grassroots organizations and communities of color.
  • Proven ability to lead collaborative networks and manage relationships with diverse funders, grantees, and stakeholders.
  • Strategic thinker with operational savvy—able to manage a fund, support a team, and navigate fiscal sponsorship structures.

📝 Tips for Applying to Early Childhood Funders Collaborative

1

Highlight any experience you have with participatory grantmaking or funding grassroots power-building, as RCCF's Theory of Change centers those closest to the issue.

2

Show your understanding of the early childhood landscape, especially child care policy and organizing, by referencing specific challenges and opportunities in the field.

3

Demonstrate your ability to work within a fiscal sponsorship model (like TSNE) and manage a fund with multiple stakeholders, including funders and grantees.

4

Emphasize your commitment to equity by sharing concrete examples of how you've shifted power or resources to marginalized communities in previous roles.

5

Connect your personal values to ECFC's mission—this role requires authentic alignment with collaborative, equity-focused philanthropy.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience leading collaborative funding initiatives or networks, and how you've engaged funders in equity-focused work.", "Specific examples of how you've supported grassroots organizing or power-building among early educators, families, or providers.", 'Your approach to managing a philanthropic fund, including strategy development, grantmaking, and donor relations.', "Why you are drawn to RCCF's Theory of Change and how you would advance its mission in this role."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study ECFC's history, mission, and key initiatives, especially their approach to collaborative funding and policy efforts.
  • → Learn about the Raising Child Care Fund's Theory of Change, grantmaking history, and key partners or grantees.
  • → Understand the early childhood funder landscape, including major national and regional funders and current policy debates around child care.
  • → Research Third Sector New England (TSNE) and how fiscal sponsorship works, as it will be your formal employer.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you ensure that RCCF's grantmaking truly centers the voices of those most impacted by child care inequities?
2 Describe your experience with participatory grantmaking and how you've navigated power dynamics between funders and grantees.
3 What strategies would you use to engage national, regional, and local funders in collaborative funding for child care?
4 How do you balance the need for accountability and impact measurement with trust-based philanthropy?
5 Given the fiscal sponsorship by TSNE, how would you manage the relationship and ensure RCCF's independence within that structure?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on grantmaking mechanics without demonstrating a commitment to shifting power to communities.
  • Using generic language about equity without concrete examples of how you've advanced it in practice.
  • Overlooking the collaborative nature of the role—this is not a solo leadership position but one that requires building consensus among funders and partners.

📅 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 Early Childhood Funders Collaborative!

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