Application Guide

How to Apply for Fundraising & Communications Manager

at 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

🏢 About 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is the Commonwealth's leading bipartisan advocate for responsible land use policies that create vibrant, sustainable communities. What sets them apart is their commitment to collaboration, transparency, bipartisanship, and equity—values that guide their work on housing, transportation, and land use. Working here means joining a team dedicated to making Pennsylvania a better place for all residents.

About This Role

As the Fundraising & Communications Manager, you will be responsible for growing 10,000 Friends' base of support through corporate sponsorship, organizational donors, and online engagement. You'll also assist with executing communications strategies that amplify the organization's mission and the PA Housing Choices Coalition's work. This role is impactful because it directly fuels the advocacy and policy efforts that shape communities across Pennsylvania.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reaching out to potential corporate sponsors, drafting a donor appeal email, and meeting with the Program Director to align on communications strategies. You could also spend time analyzing online engagement metrics and planning social media content to highlight the coalition's legislative efforts. Collaboration with coalition partners and staying updated on policy developments would be woven throughout.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania Is Looking For

  • Proven experience in fundraising, including corporate sponsorship and donor cultivation, ideally in a nonprofit or advocacy setting.
  • Strong communications skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages for diverse audiences and manage online engagement.
  • Familiarity with Pennsylvania's political and policy landscape, especially around housing, land use, and transportation.
  • A collaborative and bipartisan approach, aligning with the organization's core values of transparency, equity, and inclusion.

📝 Tips for Applying to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

1

Highlight any experience you have with bipartisan or coalition-based work, as this is central to 10,000 Friends' mission.

2

Quantify your fundraising successes in your resume and cover letter—e.g., 'raised $X from corporate sponsors' or 'grew online donor base by Y%.'

3

Demonstrate knowledge of Pennsylvania's housing and land use issues; mention specific policies or initiatives you admire or have worked on.

4

Show your ability to work remotely and collaboratively, as this is a remote position with a team spread across the state.

5

Tailor your application to emphasize both fundraising and communications, as the role blends these two functions.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your track record in fundraising, particularly corporate sponsorship and donor relations, with concrete examples.', 'Your ability to develop and execute communications strategies that engage stakeholders and grow online presence.', "Your alignment with the organization's bipartisan, collaborative, and equity-focused values.", "Your specific interest in Pennsylvania's land use, housing, and transportation issues and how you can contribute to their mission."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania's website, especially their policy priorities, recent victories, and the PA Housing Choices Coalition.
  • → Research Pennsylvania's current housing and land use debates, including key legislation and stakeholders.
  • → Look into the backgrounds of the Program Director and other team members to understand their work and priorities.
  • → Review the organization's social media and newsletters to get a sense of their voice and engagement style.
Visit 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you would approach building a corporate sponsorship program from the ground up for a bipartisan advocacy organization.
2 Your experience with donor cultivation and stewardship, and how you would engage organizational donors.
3 Strategies for growing online engagement and translating it into fundraising success.
4 How you would communicate complex policy issues to diverse audiences, including donors, coalition partners, and the public.
5 Your familiarity with the PA Housing Choices Coalition and how you would support its communications and fundraising needs.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using partisan language or examples that conflict with the organization's bipartisan approach.
  • Focusing only on fundraising or only on communications—both are essential to this role.
  • Neglecting to mention specific Pennsylvania context or issues, which shows a lack of genuine interest in the organization's work.

📅 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 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania!

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