Application Guide

How to Apply for Grants and Partnerships Associate

at Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

🏢 About Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration is a unique coalition of nearly 600 college and university presidents advocating for immigrant and refugee students. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that directly influences policy and practice in higher education, with a remote-first culture that values collaboration and impact.

About This Role

As the Grants and Partnerships Associate, you will manage the full grant lifecycle—from research and proposal writing to reporting and stewardship—while also overseeing membership engagement and supporting events. This role is pivotal in securing funding and building partnerships that advance the Alliance's mission to support immigrant and refugee students.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing grant deadlines and updating the Little Green Light database with donor interactions. You could then draft a proposal for a new foundation, followed by a virtual meeting with the membership team to plan an outreach campaign. Afternoon tasks might include creating social media content to highlight a recent policy win or coordinating logistics for an upcoming donor event.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration Is Looking For

  • You have at least 2 years of experience in grants, development, or advancement, with proven grantwriting skills and a track record of successful proposals.
  • You possess exceptional writing and storytelling abilities, able to craft compelling narratives that resonate with funders and members alike.
  • You are highly organized and proficient with project management tools like Asana, database systems such as Little Green Light, and design software (e.g., Canva) for content creation.
  • You are passionate about immigrant and refugee issues in higher education and can communicate the Alliance's mission effectively to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

1

Tailor your resume to highlight grantwriting and donor stewardship experience, using specific metrics (e.g., 'secured $500K in grants' or 'managed 20+ donors').

2

In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with the Presidents' Alliance and its impact, referencing specific initiatives or reports they've published.

3

Showcase your proficiency with Little Green Light or similar CRM by including a brief note on how you've used it to streamline grant tracking.

4

Include a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to tell a compelling story about immigrant or refugee students in higher education.

5

If you have experience with social media content creation, provide examples of posts or campaigns you've developed that align with advocacy or nonprofit work.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express your passion for the Alliance's mission and your understanding of the challenges immigrant and refugee students face in higher education.", "Highlight specific examples of successful grant proposals you've written, including the funding amount and the project's impact.", "Demonstrate your organizational skills by describing how you've managed multiple grants or donor relationships simultaneously.", "Mention your experience with membership engagement or events coordination, tying it to how you can support the Alliance's outreach and stewardship efforts."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Presidents' Alliance website, especially their 'Resources' and 'Policy Priorities' sections, to understand their key advocacy areas and recent publications.
  • → Read their annual reports or impact summaries to see how they communicate their work to funders and members.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the current landscape of immigration policies affecting higher education, such as DACA and state-level tuition equity laws.
  • → Look into their membership list (nearly 600 presidents) and identify any notable institutions or leaders to reference in your application.
Visit Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach researching and identifying new grant opportunities that align with the Alliance's mission?
2 Describe your experience with grant reporting and stewardship. How do you ensure compliance and maintain donor relationships?
3 What strategies would you use to increase member engagement and retention?
4 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple grant deadlines and membership campaigns?
5 Tell us about a time you had to adapt a grant proposal or membership outreach strategy based on feedback or changing circumstances.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without referencing the Alliance's specific mission or recent initiatives—they look for genuine interest.
  • Overlooking the importance of storytelling: avoid dry, technical grant language in your writing sample; focus on narrative and impact.
  • Neglecting to mention your remote work experience or self-discipline, as this role is fully remote and requires proactive communication.

📅 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 Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration!

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