Application Guide

How to Apply for Manager, Foundation Relations - *REMOTE*

at Kesem National

🏢 About Kesem National

Kesem National is a unique nonprofit that empowers college student leaders to create transformative summer camp experiences for children whose parents have cancer. Their nationwide community and innovative programs offer a deeply meaningful mission, and the remote work culture provides flexibility while maintaining strong team connections.

About This Role

As Manager of Foundation Relations, you will drive Kesem's foundation revenue by cultivating a pipeline of corporate and family foundations, submitting 6–8 LOIs or proposals monthly, and securing ~$500K annually. Your work directly sustains programs that support children through and beyond a parent's cancer, making a tangible impact on families nationwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start by reviewing emails from foundation partners and updating Salesforce with new interactions. You'd spend a few hours drafting an LOI for a family foundation, then meet with the CEO to discuss a high-priority proposal. Later, you'd touch base with a Chapter Development Manager to share resources for a local foundation outreach.

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🎯 Who Kesem National Is Looking For

  • A development professional with 5+ years of experience, including at least 2 years of dedicated grant writing and prospecting, who thrives in a target-driven environment (10% win rate, $500K goal).
  • An excellent writer and storyteller who can craft compelling LOIs and proposals that resonate with foundation priorities, and who is comfortable presenting to CEO and leadership.
  • A strategic relationship manager who can maintain ~60 warm leads, engage family foundation partners, and collaborate with chapters to expand local funding.
  • Tech-savvy and adaptable, with proficiency in Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and eagerness to learn Salesforce, Expensify, and Hive.

📝 Tips for Applying to Kesem National

1

Tailor your resume to highlight grant writing metrics (e.g., number of proposals submitted, win rates, total dollars secured) and explicitly mention any experience with family foundations.

2

In your cover letter, demonstrate knowledge of Kesem's mission by referencing specific programs (e.g., Camp Kesem) and how your work can support children affected by cancer.

3

Showcase your ability to manage a pipeline of ~60 prospects by providing examples of how you prioritized and tracked relationships using CRM tools (like Salesforce).

4

Mention any experience collaborating with volunteer-led chapters or remote teams, as the role requires equipping chapters with tools for local foundation funding.

5

Prepare a writing sample (e.g., a successful grant proposal or LOI) to attach if possible, as strong writing is critical for this role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for Kesem's mission of supporting children through a parent's cancer journey and your understanding of the impact of camp programs.", 'Highlight your grant writing experience with measurable outcomes (e.g., win rates, funds raised) and your ability to manage multiple deadlines (6-8 proposals/month).', 'Show your collaborative spirit by mentioning experience working with leadership teams and empowering grassroots volunteers or chapters.', 'Demonstrate your familiarity with remote work tools and your proactive approach to building relationships with foundation partners virtually.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Kesem's programs, especially Camp Kesem and their year-round support initiatives, to understand the full scope of services.
  • → Review Kesem's annual reports or financials to see how foundation funding contributes to their budget and impact.
  • → Explore their blog or news section for recent foundation partnerships or success stories to reference in your application.
  • → Look into the backgrounds of the CEO and Development leadership to understand their priorities and communication styles.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you prioritize and manage a pipeline of ~60 foundation prospects to meet a $500K goal?
2 Tell us about a time you wrote a grant proposal that was initially rejected but later funded after revisions. What did you learn?
3 How would you collaborate with Chapter Development Managers to help local chapters pursue foundation funding?
4 Describe your experience with Salesforce or similar CRMs. How do you track interactions and deadlines?
5 How do you stay informed about foundation priorities and align proposals with their interests?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Kesem's specific mission or programs—this shows lack of research.
  • Avoid downplaying the importance of the 10% win rate and $500K goal; be ready to discuss how you'll achieve those targets.
  • Don't neglect to mention your experience with remote collaboration tools or systems like Salesforce—these are critical for the role.

📅 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 Kesem National!

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