Application Guide
How to Apply for Midwest Program Manager
at Land Trust Alliance
🏢 About Land Trust Alliance
The Land Trust Alliance is the national leader in policy, standards, and education for land trusts, working to strengthen land conservation across America. As a remote-first organization with a mission-driven culture, it offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on saving natural places while collaborating with a network of dedicated conservation professionals nationwide.
About This Role
As the Midwest Program Manager, you will be the primary liaison for member land trusts and partners in the Midwest, developing and delivering organizational development programs like grantmaking, training, and technical assistance. This role is impactful because you'll directly strengthen the capacity of land trusts to conserve land, while also representing the Alliance at key events and helping to secure funding for conservation initiatives.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with a Midwest land trust to discuss technical assistance needs, followed by reviewing grant proposals for an upcoming funding cycle. You might then join a team call to plan a regional training event, and spend the afternoon drafting a report for a foundation donor or updating program budgets. The role involves frequent remote meetings, occasional travel for site visits or conferences, and regular collaboration with Alliance staff across the country.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Land Trust Alliance Is Looking For
- A seasoned nonprofit professional with 8+ years of experience, ideally in land conservation, who understands the unique challenges and opportunities of the Midwest region.
- A proven fundraiser with 3+ years of experience securing grants from foundations, corporations, individuals, and government sources, and managing budgets effectively.
- A skilled project manager with at least 3 years of budget and grant management experience, able to juggle multiple programs and deadlines.
- An exceptional communicator and relationship-builder who can foster diverse partnerships with land trusts, donors, and community stakeholders.
📝 Tips for Applying to Land Trust Alliance
Tailor your resume to highlight your land conservation experience and specific Midwest connections, such as partnerships with regional land trusts.
In your cover letter, explicitly detail your fundraising wins (e.g., amounts raised, types of funders) and grant management successes.
Demonstrate your project management skills by describing a specific program you developed, implemented, and evaluated, with measurable outcomes.
Show your understanding of the Alliance's role in land conservation by referencing their Land Trust Standards and Practices or recent policy initiatives.
Include any experience with virtual training or technical assistance delivery, as the role involves remote program management.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for land conservation and alignment with the Alliance's mission to strengthen land trusts.", 'Specific examples of fundraising success, including grant writing and relationship cultivation with diverse funders.', 'Proven ability to manage complex projects and budgets, with examples of program evaluation and improvement.', 'Your experience building and sustaining partnerships in the Midwest, including any regional knowledge or connections.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the Land Trust Alliance's Land Trust Standards and Practices to understand the framework they promote.
- → Familiarize yourself with their recent advocacy efforts, such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund or Farm Bill conservation programs.
- → Look into the Alliance's current grant programs (e.g., Challenge Cost Share, Cooperative Endowment) and how they support land trusts.
- → Explore the Midwest region's conservation landscape, including key land trusts and environmental issues specific to states like Michigan, Ohio, or Minnesota.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention land conservation or the Alliance's specific mission.
- Overlooking the fundraising requirement; lacking concrete examples of grant writing and donor cultivation.
- Failing to demonstrate remote work experience or the ability to manage programs independently without close supervision.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Land Trust Alliance!