Grants Officer

University Settlement is one of New York City's most dynamic social justice institutions, with an impressive legacy as the first settlement house in the nation. For over 135 years, University Settlement has been an anchor in the low-income and immigrant communities where we work, offering pioneering programs in early childhood care and education, youth development, eviction prevention, literacy, theater and visual arts, older adults services, and mental health. Each year, we engage over 40,000 New Yorkers through our network of 30 sites in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our mission is to empower residents by building on their strengths through comprehensive, quality services that meet the current needs of the community; innovation that anticipates future needs; and advocacy to bring justice to the community as a whole. 

The Grants Officer is an essential member of a dynamic Institutional Giving team that manages all foundation and government support. The ideal candidate will have a clear and demonstrated passion for communicating the work of the agency through their writing, participating in the program development process, and promoting social justice. The Grants Officer role is highly unique in that it enables you to manage a portfolio of programs, including the writing, project management, and submitting of multiple projects across a diverse range of public and private funders. Additionally, it provides the rare opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with executive leadership and senior program directors on fundraising strategy, program design and development, and goal setting. Combined, this experience is critical in developing a successful career in fundraising, non-profit management, leadership, and more.   

Responsibilities: 

• Write letters of inquiry, proposals, renewal requests, and all reports to a select portfolio of private funders, and in response to select government RFPs, including preparing and sending complete packages with all attachments and standard forms

Manage the proposal and report deadlines for a set of program areas by maintaining and updating the agency’s grant calendars and action sheets  

Coordinate the successful completion of multiple proposal and report deadlines with senior development and program managers 

Maintain accurate donor records and files   

Contribute to the gap-closing process and program expansion efforts by helping to develop the approach and identifying new sources of support through prospect research for new private foundation funders and the review of government RFPs 

Retain up-to-date knowledge about assigned programs and program developments; broker effective working relationships with program directors and finance officers  

Facilitate the completion of government contract packages, as needed 

Assist with special events and complete other relevant tasks as assigned by supervisor 

Qualifications: 

Minimum Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution and at least two years of grant writing experience required  

Superior writing and communication skills, with emphasis on proposal writing 

Excellent time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects and effectively set priorities  

Demonstrated ability to manage a robust portfolio of funders and demonstrated success securing funding of all types, including upgraded funding and new funders 

Excellent critical thinking skills as related to creating coherent logic models for funding proposals, analyzing and synthesizing program design from program colleagues, and integrating the nuances of funders’ particular interests in advancing a body of work into our approach  

Excellent computer skills including data base, word processing  

Ability to work efficiently in a deadline-driven environment 

Knowledge of foundation and funding worlds (in related, non-profit fields a plus) 

Excellent donor relations skills  

Ability to work independently and as an effective member of a team 

Ability to work with and relate to board members, foundation/government contacts, and program directors  

Must be available for occasional evening events 

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, 35 hours a week

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community.  We support a broadly diverse team who will contribute to our organization.   We are an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.