Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Grants Manager
at Way to Win
🏢 About Way to Win
Way to Win is a progressive organization dedicated to building political power and winning elections through strategic investments and advising. They are unique in their focus on funding and supporting innovative strategies to expand the electorate and advance progressive policies. Working here means being part of a mission-driven team that values both strategic thinking and operational excellence.
About This Role
As the Senior Grants Manager, you will be the backbone of Way to Win's institutional fundraising efforts, leading the full lifecycle of grants from prospecting to closeout. Your work will directly enable the organization to secure and manage the resources needed to support progressive candidates and causes. This role is impactful because you will translate complex strategies into compelling narratives that attract and retain funders, while ensuring accountability and compliance across the portfolio.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting a proposal for a new foundation while also tracking reporting deadlines for existing grants in Salesforce. You would likely have check-ins with program staff to ensure grant deliverables are on track, and you might analyze prospect research to prioritize new funding opportunities. Throughout the day, you'd use your strong writing and organizational skills to keep the grants portfolio moving forward and communicate effectively with funders and internal teams.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Way to Win Is Looking For
- A strong writer with 5+ years of experience in grant writing and institutional fundraising, with a proven track record of securing foundation grants.
- An exceptional operator who can manage multiple deadlines and deliverables simultaneously, with meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Proficient in using Salesforce or similar CRM systems to track grants and pipeline data, and can develop dashboards to provide visibility into fundraising progress.
- A collaborative partner who can work effectively with program, finance, and leadership teams to ensure grant commitments are met and communicated clearly.
📝 Tips for Applying to Way to Win
Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of successful grant proposals and how you managed the full grant lifecycle, including reporting and renewals.
In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of Way to Win's mission and how your skills in writing and operations can help advance their goals.
Showcase your experience with Salesforce or similar CRM, and provide examples of how you've used data to improve grant management and reporting.
Quantify your achievements, such as the dollar amount of grants secured or the percentage increase in renewals, to make your impact tangible.
Research Way to Win's recent funding initiatives and partnerships to speak intelligently about their work in your application and interview.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your experience in writing compelling proposals and reports that successfully secured funding from foundations.', 'Highlight your ability to build and manage systems for tracking grants and deadlines, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.', 'Show your passion for progressive politics and your understanding of the importance of strategic investments in building political power.', 'Mention your collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams to ensure grant commitments are aligned with organizational goals.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Way to Win's website and recent annual reports to understand their strategic priorities and the types of grants they currently manage.
- → Look into their recent funding announcements or press releases to see the kinds of foundations they partner with and the language they use.
- → Check their team page on LinkedIn to understand the backgrounds of current staff and the organizational culture.
- → Research their impact and the outcomes of the grantees they support to speak to their mission in an informed way.
💬 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 reference Way to Win's specific mission or programs.
- Overlooking the importance of operational skills in your application; emphasize your ability to manage systems and deadlines, not just write.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of your grant writing success, such as dollar amounts or specific foundations you've secured funding from.
📅 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!