Application Guide

How to Apply for Program Fellow

at The Families and Workers Fund

🏢 About The Families and Workers Fund

The Families and Workers Fund is a unique pooled fund backed by 20 diverse funders, deploying $135 million to end poverty in the U.S. through strategic grants and partnerships. It operates with a startup mentality, prioritizing equity and impact, making it an ideal place for those passionate about economic justice and collaborative philanthropy.

About This Role

As a Program Fellow, you will drive a large-scale initiative focused on economic opportunity, managing grants, coordinating partners, and synthesizing data to inform strategy. Your work will directly shape how millions of dollars are allocated to reduce poverty, offering hands-on experience in high-impact philanthropy.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the program team to review grantee progress, followed by data analysis to track impact metrics. You could then lead a coordination call with external partners, and end the day drafting a strategy memo synthesizing research findings for the fund's leadership.

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🎯 Who The Families and Workers Fund Is Looking For

  • A project management expert with 5-7 years of experience, including 2+ years managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives (e.g., grantmaking, program implementation).
  • Data-savvy and analytical, able to turn research and data into actionable insights for strategy documents and reports.
  • Highly organized, with proficiency in Excel, Google Workspace, and virtual collaboration tools, and experience improving tracking systems.
  • Collaborative and equity-focused, comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment and committed to advancing racial and economic justice.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Families and Workers Fund

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific project management achievements, such as leading a multi-partner initiative or improving tracking systems.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to the fund's mission of ending poverty and its pooled fund model.

3

Showcase your data synthesis skills by including a brief example of how you turned complex data into a strategic recommendation.

4

Research the fund's current grantees and initiatives (e.g., worker-centered programs) and mention how your background aligns.

5

Use the application to demonstrate your ability to work in a startup environment: mention adaptability, comfort with ambiguity, and a proactive mindset.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for economic mobility and alignment with the fund's mission to end poverty in the U.S.", 'Highlight specific project management experience with complex, multi-stakeholder projects, especially in grantmaking or philanthropy.', 'Show your ability to synthesize data and produce high-quality written outputs (e.g., reports, briefs).', 'Express your commitment to equity and collaborative work, and how you thrive in a startup-like, fast-paced environment.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the fund's website and recent reports to understand its strategic focus areas (e.g., worker power, cash transfers).
  • → Look into the 20 diverse funders backing the fund to grasp the collaborative model and potential stakeholders.
  • → Read about the large-scale initiative mentioned in the job description (if publicly known) to understand its goals.
  • → Explore the fund's blog or news section for recent updates on grants and impact stories.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a complex project you managed with multiple partners; how did you ensure alignment and track progress?
2 How would you approach synthesizing data from diverse sources to inform a grantmaking strategy?
3 What does advancing equity mean to you in the context of philanthropy, and how have you operationalized it?
4 Tell us about a time you improved a system or process for tracking impact; what tools did you use?
5 How do you stay organized when managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a remote team?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference the fund's specific mission or pooled fund model.
  • Failing to highlight quantifiable project management outcomes (e.g., budget managed, partners coordinated).
  • Overlooking the equity focus; avoid language that doesn't show awareness of systemic poverty and racial justice.

📅 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 The Families and Workers Fund!

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