Director of Grants & External Relations

Founded in 2012, The Acceleration Project (TAP)’s mission is to empower under-resourced small business owners and accelerate their success by providing high-impact and customized strategic, financial, operational, and marketing support. Small businesses are a vital engine of our economy, and TAP supports entrepreneurs who lack access to critical networks and resources. TAP has worked directly with more than 11,000 small business owners and touched the lives of more than 100,000.

Role Overview:

The Director of Grants and External Relations is a key member of TAP’s development team, responsible for securing strategic funding and cultivating relationships that advance TAP’s mission to promote economic independence for under-resourced small businesses. This role combines high-level grant research, writing, and management with donor engagement, external relations, and development support. The ideal candidate is a skilled storyteller, strategic thinker, and relationship builder who can translate TAP’s impact into compelling proposals, reports, and communications.

This position requires a proactive, organized, and detail-oriented individual with excellent research, writing, and communication skills. The Director will work closely with program staff, leadership, and the development team to support both grant-focused and broader fundraising initiatives.

TAP operates in a remote-first, hybrid work environment. Our staff predominantly work from home, with mandatory co-working days approximately once a month in Westchester County for those in the Tri-State area. While we encourage additional in-person connections, attendance is mandatory only for these co-working days. As our work model continues to evolve, there may be occasional requirements for attending in-person events and meetings in the Tri-State area. Additionally, we expect all staff to be present at our bi-annual retreats, held up to twice a year.

Key Responsibilities:

Grant Research, Writing & Management (70%)

• Prospect Research: Proactively research and identify new funding opportunities (family, corporate, and national foundations, corporations, government) that support TAP’s mission and strategic goals.
• Funder Intelligence & Strategy: Monitor the philanthropic landscape for emerging trends, new funding opportunities, and shifts in funder priorities. Advise the development team on grant strategy and help refine TAP’s case for support.
• Grant Writing: Draft, edit, and submit high-quality, persuasive grant proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and concept notes that align TAP’s programs with funders’ priorities.
• Reporting: Prepare and submit timely, accurate interim and final grant reports, ensuring all funder requirements are met.
• Grants Management: Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar to track all applications, deadlines, and reporting requirements to ensure timely submissions.
• Collaboration: Work closely with program and finance staff to gather data, impact stories, and budget information necessary for proposals and reports.

Development & External Relations Support (30%)

• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor and grant records in Salesforce; generate reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Donor Communication: Draft content for donor appeals, engagement communications, impact reports, follow-up emails, and thank-you letters.
• Stewardship: Support relationship stewardship with partners, program officers, and board leadership alongside the Director of Development/CDO.
• Campaign Support: Provide logistical and administrative support for fundraising campaigns and events (virtual and in-person).
• Collaboration: Contribute to the development team and leadership efforts as a collaborative, flexible, and proactive team member.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 4–7 years of professional experience in development, grant writing, or fundraising, with a proven track record of securing funding.
• Demonstrated success with foundation, corporate, and/or government grants.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to convey data-driven and persuasive narratives.
• Strong research skills, with the ability to identify, analyze, and leverage potential funding sources.
• Skilled relationship builder; entrepreneurial, creative, and innovative mindset.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, Canva, and CRM software (e.g., Salesforce).
• Knowledge of the nonprofit sector, particularly in economic development, small business support, or capacity-building work, is a plus.
• Willingness to participate in occasional events outside traditional work hours.
• Demonstrated commitment to TAP’s mission and values.

Benefits Package:

• $65,000-70,000 annually based on a full-time status (40 hours per week), commensurate with experience
• Generous PTO
• 10 paid holidays per year
• 2 floating holidays per year for full-time employees
• Time off between Christmas and New Year’s
• Health and dental insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to: careers@theaccelerationproject.org with ‘Director of Grants & External Relations’ in the subject line.

In your cover letter, please include a response to the following questions:

1. Share an example of a grant or partnership you helped secure and what made it successful.
2. How do you approach building and maintaining funder relationships?
3. What draws you to TAP’s mission and work with small businesses?

The deadline to apply is December 5, 2025.

TAP is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications from members of all under-resourced groups are encouraged.

• Generous PTO
• 10 paid holidays per year
• 2 floating holidays per year for full-time employees
• Time off between Christmas and New Year’s
• Health and dental insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan

Fluent in English