Grant Writer

Title: Grant Writer

Unit: Development and Communications

Reports to: Senior Director of Grants

Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000

Status: Full-Time; Regular; Exempt

Location: Long Island City, Queens, NYC

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

Position Summary:

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

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 government, foundation, and corporate 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;
• 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;
• 1-3 years’ experience in producing grant proposals and government RFPs, with a demonstrated track record of success;
• 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;
• 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; and
• We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements – May require travel to our other sites across NYC for meetings or trainings.

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, citizenship status, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.