Grants Coordinator

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading American history organization dedicated to K–12 education. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources. Since its founding in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has created powerful and meaningful ways to teach and learn history. Focusing on primary sources, the Institute offers teacher seminars, online courses, exhibitions, digital materials, and print publications that enable students of all ages and backgrounds to study the nation’s past.

The Institute brings the work of today’s leading historians into classrooms and homes around the globe. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, the Institute brings every period of American history to life. The Institute’s diverse education programs, including the acclaimed Hamilton Education Program, provide opportunities to explore five centuries of American history. The Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School network comprises fourteen million students and 97,000 teachers from more than 36,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

Are you interested in building a career in grant writing and development and joining a highly collaborative team that offers opportunities for you to learn and grow? Are you passionate about fueling a mission-driven organization focused on American history education and civic engagement?

GLI is currently seeking a Grants Coordinator to support our development team in securing and managing foundation, corporate, and government grants. This role is integral to the full grant lifecycle—from researching opportunities and coordinating application submissions to preparing compelling proposals and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

The Grants Coordinator will work cross-functionally with colleagues in development, programs, evaluation, and finance to gather data, monitor grant-funded initiatives, and track deliverables. The ideal candidate is a strong writer with excellent communication skills, keen attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with professionalism.

The Grants Coordinator will be joining GLI at a dynamic time as we continue to enhance and expand our nonpartisan K–12 and public programming in response to the urgent needs of the moment. This position offers a meaningful opportunity for someone early in their nonprofit or development career who is eager to build expertise in grant writing, fundraising strategy, and nonprofit operations.

The Grants Coordinator will report to the Associate Director of Development. The role is hybrid (at least two days per week in person), based in New York City, and will require occasional evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities (including, but not limited to)

Grants Administration (40%)

• Coordinate the full grant application process, including gathering documentation, managing timelines, and monitoring deadlines.
• Ensure grant activities are in compliance with funder requirements, including budgeting and reporting guidelines.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all grant activity, including correspondence and outcomes.
• Manage and update a comprehensive grants calendar across the development team to track deadlines and ensure timely submissions.
• Manage and maintain records in Salesforce, including entering data, running reports, and ensuring data integrity.

Grant Writing & Reporting (35%)

• Assist (and for certain accounts, take the lead) in drafting and editing grant proposals, letters of inquiry, grant budgets, and funder reports.
• Ensure that all grant writing and reporting align with GLI’s mission and voice.
• Collaborate with program, evaluation, and finance teams to collect accurate data and impact narratives.

Research and Prospecting (10%)

• Proactively identify and evaluate new institutional funding opportunities that align with GLI’s programs and priorities.
• Prepare research briefs and background materials for the development team and leadership.

Cross-Departmental Coordination and Development Support (15%)

• Serve as a liaison between development, finance, evaluation, and program teams to gather inputs for proposals and funder reports.
• Coordinate and schedule meetings, document minutes and action items, and track follow-up deliverables.
• Organize and participate in internal planning and strategy meetings related to grants and fundraising.
• Assist with preparing materials for funder meetings, stewardship events, and site visits.
• Support other members of the development team as needed for major initiatives, events, or strategic projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm for communicating the mission to external audiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with both internal and external stakeholders
• Strong editing skills and the ability to synthesize data into compelling narratives
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment
• Professional, collaborative, and proactive work ethic
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work calmly under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, as well as contribute to a positive and supportive team culture
• Growth mindset with a desire to learn, take initiative, and continuously develop skills
• Strong overall technological competency, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM and familiarity with Asana or other project management tools are preferred