How to apply for Director, Major Gifts Partnerships

About Standtogether

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that applies Principle Based Management (PBM) principles to drive social change, emphasizing dignity, empowerment, and bottom-up solutions. Unlike traditional grantmakers, they act as strategic partners, deploying capital to tackle systemic issues in education, poverty, and opportunity. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that values entrepreneurial thinking and measurable impact.

About the role

This role is pivotal for securing 7-figure+ commitments from foundations and major donors to fund Stand Together's most critical initiatives. As a Partnership Advisor, you'll act as a trusted consultant, translating complex programs into compelling investment opportunities and managing sophisticated stakeholder relationships. Your success directly fuels transformative projects that scale social impact.

A typical day

You'll start your day reviewing a portfolio of foundation and donor accounts, prioritizing follow-ups on active proposals. Mid-morning, you might have a virtual meeting with a family office principal to discuss a potential 7-figure investment in education reform, followed by drafting a tailored investment case. Afternoons involve internal strategy calls with program teams to align on funding needs and update your CRM with next steps.

Who Standtogether is looking for

• Proven track record of closing 7-figure+ gifts or investments from foundations, family offices, or major donors in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Deep understanding of philanthropic strategy and ability to craft tailored investment cases that align donor interests with organizational priorities.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with experience navigating board-level or C-suite decision-making processes.
• Comfortable with data-driven pipeline management and CRM tools, demonstrating disciplined follow-through and reporting.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of securing 7-figure commitments, detailing the strategy, stakeholder engagement, and outcome.
• Explicitly connect your experience to Stand Together's values (e.g., bottom-up empowerment, entrepreneurial approach) by referencing their PBM principles.
• Tailor your resume to emphasize partnership cultivation over transactional fundraising—show how you advised donors on strategic giving.
• Include metrics: number of relationships managed, total funds raised, and retention rates for multi-year commitments.
• Research Stand Together's current initiatives (e.g., education reform, criminal justice) and reference them in your cover letter to show alignment.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Demonstrate your ability to build trust with high-net-worth individuals and foundation executives, positioning you as a strategic advisor.', 'Showcase your experience in closing complex, multi-year agreements and navigating lengthy decision cycles.', "Explain why Stand Together's approach to philanthropy resonates with you, citing specific values like dignity or bottom-up empowerment.", 'Provide a concrete example of how you translated a complex program into a compelling investment case that secured major funding.']

Research before applying

• Explore Stand Together's website to understand their key focus areas (e.g., economic mobility, education, criminal justice reform) and flagship initiatives like the 'Stand Together Foundation'.
• Read about Principle Based Management (PBM) principles, especially the concepts of dignity, empowerment, and bottom-up change, and how they differentiate Stand Together from other philanthropies.
• Review recent news or case studies on Stand Together's impact, such as partnerships with organizations like the 'Koch Network' or 'Americans for Prosperity', to grasp their approach.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you managed a multi-stakeholder negotiation to secure a 7-figure commitment—what was your strategy?
• How do you align a donor's philanthropic interests with an organization's strategic priorities? Give a specific example.
• Walk me through your pipeline management process: how do you prioritize prospects and track progress toward closure?
• Stand Together values bottom-up solutions. How would you approach a foundation that prefers top-down, prescriptive programs?
• How do you handle a donor who is hesitant to commit to a multi-year pledge? Share a real scenario and outcome.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't submit a generic fundraising resume; omit transactional events or small-gift experience—focus only on major gifts and strategic partnerships.
• Avoid vague statements like 'passionate about philanthropy' without connecting to Stand Together's specific mission and values.
• Do not overlook the remote, self-starting nature of the role; emphasize your ability to work independently and manage a virtual pipeline.