Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Counsel, Philanthropy
at Tides
🏢 About Tides
Tides is a nonprofit and philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing social justice by shifting power to communities of color and other historically marginalized groups. They provide essential services like fiscal sponsorship, donor advised funds, and grantmaking, partnering with movement leaders and donors to amplify their impact. Working at Tides means being part of a mission-driven team that centers equity and justice in all they do.
About This Role
As Senior Counsel, Philanthropy, you will serve as the principal legal expert on charitable and exempt-organization law, guiding Tides' philanthropic services including DAFs, program-related investments, and grantmaking. Your work ensures Tides operates legally and ethically while maximizing its social justice impact. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable Tides' mission by navigating complex regulations and supporting innovative giving strategies.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing grant agreements for compliance with IRS rules, advising on a program-related investment structure, and collaborating with the philanthropy team to ensure donor intent aligns with Tides' mission. You'd also monitor legislative changes, update internal policies, and provide training to staff on legal best practices, all while working remotely and connecting via video calls.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Tides Is Looking For
- Experienced attorney with deep expertise in nonprofit tax law, charitable giving, and exempt organization compliance (e.g., 501(c)(3) regulations, DAFs, UBIT).
- Strategic thinker who can apply legal knowledge to practical situations, balancing risk mitigation with Tides' mission to advance social justice.
- Excellent communicator and collaborator, able to work with diverse stakeholders including donors, grantees, and internal teams.
- Committed to social justice and equity, with an understanding of how philanthropy can shift power to marginalized communities.
📝 Tips for Applying to Tides
Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with donor advised funds, program-related investments, and nonprofit tax law, using keywords from the job description.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your legal expertise to Tides' mission of advancing social justice, showing you understand their unique approach.
Research Tides' recent initiatives and partnerships, and mention how you can support their specific philanthropic services (e.g., fiscal sponsorship, DAFs).
Highlight any experience working with social justice organizations or communities of color, as this aligns with Tides' core values.
Since the role is remote, emphasize your ability to work independently and manage complex legal matters without direct supervision, as well as your proficiency with remote collaboration tools.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Demonstrate your deep knowledge of charitable and exempt-organization law, especially DAFs and program-related investments, and how you've navigated these areas in past roles.", 'Show your commitment to social justice and equity, and how your legal work has contributed to these goals.', "Explain why you're drawn to Tides specifically, mentioning their unique model and your alignment with their mission.", 'Highlight your ability to provide strategic legal counsel that balances risk with mission-driven goals, and your experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Tides' website and annual reports to understand their programs, especially Tides Foundation's grantmaking and investment strategies.
- → Research recent news or publications about Tides' partnerships with social justice movements and their approach to shifting power.
- → Study the regulatory landscape for DAFs and PRIs, including recent IRS guidance or proposed legislation, to show you're current.
- → Look into Tides' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how they operationalize these values within their legal team.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on legal technicalities without connecting to the mission—Tides wants a lawyer who is also a strategic partner in social justice.
- Not demonstrating familiarity with the specific services like fiscal sponsorship or DAFs, which are core to Tides' work.
- Showing a lack of remote work experience or self-management skills, as this role is fully remote and requires autonomy.
📅 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!