Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Major Gifts Partnerships

at Standtogether

🏢 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 This 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 Day in the Life

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.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 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 Applying to Standtogether

1

Highlight specific examples of securing 7-figure commitments, detailing the strategy, stakeholder engagement, and outcome.

2

Explicitly connect your experience to Stand Together's values (e.g., bottom-up empowerment, entrepreneurial approach) by referencing their PBM principles.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize partnership cultivation over transactional fundraising—show how you advised donors on strategic giving.

4

Include metrics: number of relationships managed, total funds raised, and retention rates for multi-year commitments.

5

Research Stand Together's current initiatives (e.g., education reform, criminal justice) and reference them in your cover letter to show alignment.

✉️ What to Emphasize 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.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → 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.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

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

📅 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 Standtogether!

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