Senior Grant Writer

Inside Philanthropy; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortune Society in New York is seeking a Senior Grant Writer to join our Development and Communications team. You will lead complex institutional proposals, analyze funding opportunities, draft narratives and budgets, and coordinate with program staff and finance.

You will manage proposal calendars, mentor junior writers, liaise with funders, and prepare reports. A bachelor’s degree and 5–7 years of grant proposal experience are expected; NYC familiarity is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5–7 years’ experience in producing grant proposals and government RFPs.
• Familiarity with reentry programs and the NYC context is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Research funding opportunities from government, corporate and foundation sources.
• Lead large government and private foundation proposals; draft narratives and budgets.
• Plan and enforce proposal production schedules and deadlines.
• Coordinate staff input and ensure components are addressed on time.
• Mentor junior Grant Writers and participate in funding trainings.
• Act as liaison with funders and prepare fundraising materials.

Skills

Grant writing

Research

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Grant databases

Job description

Title: Senior Grant Writer

Unit: Development and Communications

Reports to: AVP, Development

Status: Full-Time, Regular, Exempt

Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000 Annually

Location: Long Island City

Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm (subject to change based on program needs)

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for almost 60 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with over $100 million in annual budget with approximately 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, an arts program, lifetime aftercare, policy and advocacy through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, and research through our Center for Research, Inquiry and Social Justice. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 20,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Grants, the Senior Grant Writer is responsible for analyzing potential funding sources, including foundations, corporations, and government-issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and taking the lead on Fortune’s most complex institutional funding projects, producing high quality proposals within a specified timeframe that result in grant awards and contracts for The Fortune Society.

Core Competencies

• Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their reentry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done;
• Exceptionally detail-oriented written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent research, analysis, synthesis, and presentation skills;
• Exceptional project management skills, including relationship building and time management;
• Ability to work effectively and flexibly to produce high quality work products in an extremely fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment;
• Ability to receive and integrate constructive critiques and feedback.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Research government, corporate, and foundation funding opportunities and identify those that are potentially a good fit for supporting Fortune’s programs;
• Analyze RFPs, prepare written RFP analyses for senior staff, and lead meetings with senior staff to discuss RFPs that are up for consideration;
• Lead the preparation and development of large government and private foundation grant proposals, including all external and internal outreach and planning required and the drafting of the narrative, budget, and all attachments;
• Design and enforce proposal production schedules;
• Ensure that all internal and final deadlines are met and proposal components are addressed by relevant staff, including development and program staff;
• Initiate communication with essential Fortune staff, including program managers, finance staff, and external partners needed for the preparation of high quality grant proposals;
• Participate in regular meetings with Fortune staff to discuss grant projects;
• Coordinate the submission of grant reports;
• Provide guidance and mentorship to more junior Grant Writers;
• Attend outside trainings related to fundraising and grant development, reentry programs and policies; and attend all internal meetings related to maximizing fundraising opportunities for Fortune;
• Act as a liaison between funders and The Fortune Society; advise program and senior executive staff on communications with appropriate contacts and funder agencies;
• Write and prepare fundraising materials such as concept papers, information packets, and brochures;
• Participate in the ongoing development of creative projects that generate future funding opportunities for Fortune, including projects in partnership with external organizations involved in policy advocacy and research, arts and culture, housing, education, etc.;
• Assist in the development of Fortune’s annual fundraising goals and action plan to achieve them;
• Develop a high level of expertise in reentry programs and agencies that fund them, including housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health, employment services, education, HIV/AIDS, court advocacy, and alternatives to incarceration (ATI);
• Contribute to the overall positive growth and development of the Development and Communications unit and to The Fortune Society as a whole; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent skill; Advanced degree (MPA, MSW or JD) preferred;
• 5-7 years’ experience in producing grant proposals and government RFPs, with a demonstrated track record of success; Familiarity with reentry programs and a basic understanding of the criminal legal system and its impact on individuals with criminal histories in New York City a plus;
• Commitment to the mission of the agency, helping those involved in the criminal legal system to break the cycle of crime and incarceration.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.