The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The AP Fund for Journalism was created in April 2024 as the charitable sister organization to The Associated Press. It is dedicated to supporting public service journalism and making it accessible to state and local news organizations. Our ambition is to underpin and support the U.S. new ecosystem by ensuring news services and widespread access to reliable, nonpartisan and fact-based news and information. APFJ also supports journalism in topical areas, like health, democracy, education, and climate.
 

The AP Fund for Journalism (APFJ) seeks a strategic development professional passionate about journalism to build major grant-funded support for state and local news coverage. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Development, the Foundations Development Associate will develop and steward large-scale funding to strengthen public interest journalism. This role involves supporting current funders, identifying new funding sources, and collaborating across the APFJ team. This is a unique opportunity to join an early-stage organization with ambitious goals to support the state and local news ecosystem and ensure deep reporting on under-covered topics. In this role, you will support the fundraising efforts of the Director, CEO, and other leadership, occasionally represent APFJ with strategic partners, and advance high-quality journalism to inform communities and foster a thriving civil society. This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates in New York, Washington, DC or Chicago, IL. If based in those cities, candidates must be comfortable working a hybrid schedule.

Role and Responsibilities

Strategic Support:

• Provide critical support to the Director, CEO, and development team members to develop and implement strategies for achieving large, multi-year fundraising goals, including fundraising efforts.
• Regularly review and analyze the funding landscape to identify and coordinate new funding possibilities, assess strategic opportunities at various levels, and explore direct funding and funding through consortiums, intermediaries, and collaboratives.

Fundraising and Stewardship:

• Support stewardship of current funders and expand APFJ’s institutional donor base through continuous prospecting, research, and collaboration, focusing on securing six- and seven-figure grants.
• Build and solidify strong, trust-based relationships with funders and partners.
• Occasionally represent APFJ with strategic partners.

Research and Documentation:

• Create research briefs to raise awareness about potential opportunities.
• Update and maintain records in Salesforce and other CRM software, overseeing the donor and prospect pipeline.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Coordinate collaborative work across multiple teams to create ambitious proposals for journalism initiatives that serve the public and strengthen the news industry.
• Coordinate with operations, grant management, finance, and impact teams to ensure spending and grant deliverables are on track, and work with the impact team on completing interim and final reports.

Communication and Materials:

• Prepare, edit, and proofread collateral pieces, reports,  presentations, and other materials to ensure accuracy, clarity, and effective storytelling.

Other Responsibilities:

• Work independently and successfully in a remote environment.
• Occasionally travel to industry conferences, APFJ offices for team meetings, and as needed.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, along with 3-5 years of full-time relevant experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in supporting fund development to secure high-level grants.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Clear, compelling, and succinct communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Ability to present APFJ to external and internal stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating with foundation and corporate leaders, arranging meetings, events, and proposals.
• Ability to work effectively as both a collaborative team member and a responsible self-starter.
• Precise eye for detail and organizational skills to manage complex initiatives across multiple teams.
• Authorization to work in the U.S.
• Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English.
• Advanced-level professional competency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice-to-Haves:

• Knowledge and experience in journalism and/or philanthropy.
• Experience with Salesforce.

Application deadline is April 8, 2025 at  11:59pm EST 
 

APFJ seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal

employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual

orientation, gender identity, disability or status as a veteran.
 

Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.