Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Foundation Manager
at ProPublica
🏢 About ProPublica
ProPublica is unique as the largest investigative newsroom in the U.S., producing journalism with moral force that exposes abuses of power and holds institutions accountable. Working here means contributing to systemic change through unparalleled investigative reporting that defies easy solutions and reaches millions.
About This Role
This Senior Foundation Manager role involves securing $20M+ in institutional funding through grant writing and relationship-building, directly supporting ProPublica's investigative journalism. You'll create template language for the entire development team and coordinate with editorial, finance, and development colleagues to gather collateral and communicate budgets.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves drafting a foundation proposal for an ongoing investigation, collaborating with journalists to gather compelling anecdotes and data, then meeting with finance to refine budget projections. You might also review grant reports for current funders and develop template language to help colleagues craft more effective LOIs.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who ProPublica Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of institutional non-profit fundraising experience with proven success writing grants for philanthropic funders
- Demonstrates excellent written communication skills with ability to adapt content for diverse audiences (foundations, major donors, internal teams)
- Shows strong initiative and problem-solving skills, balancing independent work on proposals with collaborative relationship-building across departments
- Has experience contributing to effective grants management processes and coordinating with finance teams on budget development
📝 Tips for Applying to ProPublica
Quantify your grant writing success - specify dollar amounts raised and types of foundations you've secured funding from
Highlight experience with investigative journalism or mission-driven non-profits, showing understanding of ProPublica's specific impact
Include examples of creating template language or systems that improved team efficiency in fundraising
Demonstrate how you've partnered with editorial/content teams to gather supporting collateral for proposals
Show your ability to work remotely while maintaining strong cross-departmental relationships
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with $1M+ foundation grants and how you've contributed to $20M+ funding goals", 'Examples of adapting complex investigative journalism into compelling funding proposals for diverse audiences', "How you've successfully coordinated between development, editorial, and finance teams in previous roles", "Your understanding of ProPublica's specific investigations and how you'd communicate their impact to funders"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Recent ProPublica investigations and their impact (particularly those requiring significant funding)
- → ProPublica's major foundation supporters and their funding priorities
- → The organization's annual reports and financial disclosures to understand current funding structure
- → How ProPublica's remote work culture operates across development, editorial, and finance teams
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic grant writing experience without specific examples of securing large foundation grants ($1M+)
- Focusing only on individual giving experience without demonstrating institutional fundraising expertise
- Failing to show understanding of how investigative journalism differs from other non-profit work in funding proposals
📅 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!